Machiavelli on how democracies die

Written by Niccolò Machiavelli in the early 16th century, 'Discourses on Livy' is a three-book commentary on the first ten books of Titus Livy's 'Ab Urbe Condita'. The work examines the founding, maintenance, and protection of the Roman Republic, drawing lessons for modern republics. Machiavelli critiques the failure of his contemporaries to learn from ancient political history and argues for the importance of imitating the political virtues of the ancients. The book discusses various themes, including the role of public and private counsel, the institution of dictatorship, and the impact of religion on statecraft. It is a significant work in political philosophy, emphasizing the practical application of historical examples to contemporary political issues.

Written in the early 16th century, 'The Prince' is a realistic instruction guide for new rulers. Machiavelli argues that an effective leader must be skilled in the art of war, sometimes cruel, and willing to use deception and manipulation to achieve political goals. The book is divided into chapters that discuss various types of principalities, how to acquire and maintain power, and the qualities a prince should possess. Machiavelli uses historical examples, including the career of Cesare Borgia, to illustrate his points. The treatise emphasizes the importance of maintaining the goodwill of the people and the stability of the state, even if it means deviating from traditional virtues. 'The Prince' remains a controversial but influential work in modern political philosophy.

In 'The Social Contract', Jean-Jacques Rousseau outlines a theory of government where the legitimacy of political authority stems from the consent of the governed. The book begins with the famous line 'Man is born free, but he is everywhere in chains,' highlighting the tension between natural freedom and the constraints of societal laws. Rousseau argues that a legitimate state is formed when citizens enter into a social contract, surrendering some of their natural rights in exchange for civil rights and the protection of the general will. The general will, a collective idea of the common good, is central to Rousseau's theory, and he advocates for a system where the people, as the sovereign, make decisions directly and where laws ensure liberty and equality. The work has been influential in shaping modern political thought and has played a significant role in the French Revolution and the development of democratic principles.