Question

‘The Discourses on Livy’ is written by______________________.
A. John Locks
B. Plato
C. Niccolò Machiavelli
D. Aristotle

Answer 1

Hint: Discourses on Livy is a series of ideas packed with simple and concise comments on politics, war, and state affairs using the ancient Roman Empire as a general context. In contrast with the political philosophies of ancient Rome, the book explores a broad range of political and military analyses together with illustrations and provides an opinionated atmosphere for readers to consider how governments of old civilizations could have handled their people and resources.

Complete answer:
The Discourses on Livy is a pile of thoughts on political history and philosophy written by the Italian political theorist Niccolò Machiavelli. He is best known for his previous work, ‘The Prince’ written in 1517.
Machiavelli was keen to publish educated and non-nonsensical takes on politics and reign for people to understand how a system should work in favour of its people. Through a contrast of the governments of his day to the political and religious structures of ancient Rome, Machiavelli achieves his vision. His analogy is not so much a mandate to strictly adhere to the Roman ideal, but an application to several different aspects of Roman concepts. Machiavelli is able to speak directly to future changes within the political structures of his time through the application of ideas, rather than making hard and simple laws.
He begins the book by observing how Rome became a powerful empire through its organizational methods along with commitment to stable government and free populace. At the same time, Machiavelli criticizes the eye sore between the Roman Senate and the people for proving the fact that this tension actually provided a way to progress Roman political ideals. The text also explains how problems were identified at the base level and then sought to heal those issues before they became insoluble.

Machiavelli then moves from his initial study of Roman values into a more universal view of political institutions constructed. He delves into how individuals and institutions are influenced and often corrupted by religion, culture and values. At the end of the Discourses, Machiavelli discusses how a republic is impacted by war, occupation, and the aftermath of such measures and how these events could best be handled. All these theories culminate in the issue of how the people of a vanquished nation would prevail.

Hence, the correct answer is option (C).

Note: In the Italian city-state of Florence, Niccolò Machiavelli was born on May 3, 1469. Via reading the many texts in his father's library and attending public lectures, Machiavelli educated himself. He acquired an in-depth understanding of Latin, history, politics, and theory. His education and skill led him to be appointed in 1498 for a high role in the government of the Republic of Florence. As Second Chancellor, he served as a diplomat for Florence in its dealings with other Italian city-states and European powers. Even though he was a well-known writer, his books including ‘The Discourse’ were published only after his death.