"Machiavelli's teaching would hardly have stood the test of Parliamentary government, for public discussion demands at least the profession of good faith"

This quote by Lord Acton recommends that the teachings of Niccolò Machiavelli would not have been compatible with a parliamentary government. Lord Acton suggests that Machiavelli's teachings, which focused on the use of shrewd and deceptiveness to acquire power, would not have actually succeeded in a parliamentary system. This is since parliamentary government needs open discussion and dispute, and the individuals must have a particular level of trust in each other. Machiavelli's teachings, which stress the use of control and deceit, would not be conducive to such an environment. Lord Acton's quote recommends that Machiavelli's teachings would not have actually succeeded in a parliamentary government, as it needs a specific level of trust and good faith between the individuals.