Discourses on Livy · Chapter
VII explained
Machiavelli argues that the right to accuse citizens before a tribunal is essential for preserving liberty in a republic.
What happens
Machiavelli argues that the right to accuse citizens before a tribunal is essential for preserving liberty in a republic. It deters harmful actions, provides a legal outlet for popular discontent, and prevents the resort to irregular violence or foreign intervention. He contrasts the Roman handling of Coriolanus with the Florentine failures regarding Francesco Valori and Piero Soderini, where the lack of proper legal channels led to factionalism and the calling in of foreign powers.
Themes in this chapter
Republican Liberty and Popular Government
The right to accuse is presented as a cornerstone of republican liberty, providing a legal outlet for popular discontent and preventing the overthrow of free institutions.
Ingratitude and Suspicion in Republics
The chapter discusses how suspicion against powerful citizens (like Coriolanus, Valori, Soderini) can destabilize a republic if not channeled through lawful accusations.
Necessity and Reason of State
Machiavelli emphasizes the necessity of legal mechanisms to manage 'evil humours' and prevent the state from being overwhelmed by irregular violence or foreign intervention.
Characters to notice
- Coriolanus
His proposal to withhold corn from the plebeians incited popular fury; the tribunes' formal accusation prevented mob violence and potential civil strife.
- Francesco Valori
In Florence, the lack of legal means to oppose him led to factional violence and his eventual downfall, harming many citizens.
- Piero Soderini
His fall was caused by the absence of a proper impeachment law; the people could not legally accuse him, so they resorted to calling in the Spanish army.
- Titus Livius
Cited as the source for the story of Coriolanus and for the example of Aruns and the Gauls.
- Aruns
Unable to obtain legal redress for his sister's violation, he called in the Gauls to attack Clusium, illustrating the danger of lacking legal avenues for accusation.
Key passages
“To those set forward in a commonwealth as guardians of public freedom, no more useful or necessary authority can be given than the power to accuse, either before the people, or before some council or tribunal, those citizens who in any way have offended against the liberty of their country.”
The most important power that can be granted to the protectors of a republic's liberty is the authority to formally accuse citizens who threaten that liberty, whether in a popular assembly or before a designated council.
Machiavelli establishes the central thesis: the right of legal accusation is the most vital tool for preserving freedom.
“For when none such is regularly provided, recourse will be had to irregular channels, and these will assuredly lead to much worse results.”
If the law does not offer a proper outlet for accusations, people will turn to unlawful methods, which inevitably cause greater harm.
This contrasts the orderly Roman process with the destructive Florentine factionalism.
“For to form a tribunal by which a powerful citizen is to be tried, eight judges only are not enough; the judges must be numerous, because a few will always do the will of a few.”
A small tribunal of only eight judges is insufficient to try a powerful citizen, as a small group will be swayed by the interests of a few; a larger body is needed for impartiality.
Machiavelli criticizes the Florentine judicial system for being too weak to handle accusations against influential figures.