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About this quote

What does it mean?
The goal of a republic is to weaken all competing groups to strengthen itself.
In plain terms
A republic gets stronger by making sure no other groups become powerful.
What can you take from it?
Centralize power by preventing rivals from gaining strength.

Where it applies

  • statecraft
  • institutional design
  • governance

Putting it to work

  • limit rival powers
  • consolidate authority

Questions to consider

  • What protects liberty when the state is supreme?
  • Is centralization always harmful?

Another view

This strategy can lead to tyranny or lack of checks and balances.

More from Niccolo Machiavelli

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