Machiavelli believed that "good laws and institutions" depended on

A) military strength.
B) public debate.
C) peaceful protests.
D) highly educated political scholars.
E) benevolent rulers.

According to Machiavelli, good laws and institutions depend on military strength because without a strong military, a state is vulnerable to invasion and cannot effectively enforce its laws or protect its citizens. Machiavelli believed that a ruler must be willing to use force to maintain order and security in his state.