The Importance of Political and Economic Alliances and Compromises in the Political Theory of Niccolò Machiavelli

The article focuses on the political theory of Niccolò Machiavelli. We analyse and reflect on his theory of the stability and sustainability of different forms of government, as discussed in The Prince and The Discourses. It is argued in the article that, more than deception, cruelty or fortune, Machiavelli places the main emphasis on political, social and economic alliances, as well as political compromises and concessions arising from political and economic conflicts. Alliances and compromises are crucial for the stability and sustainability of both principalities and republics. The political theory of the sustainability of princely rule is based on fear of the potential political power of the people and the resulting alliance between the new prince and the people. The sustainability of the Roman Republic was, according to Machiavelli, the product of class conflict and the consequent class compromise between the people and the great. We thus suggest that the central element of Machiavelli’s political theory lies in the political practice of creating and sustaining alliances and class compromises.