The Prince (Paperback - 2017)

The Prince contains a number of maxims concerning politics. It states that in order to retain power, the hereditary prince must carefully maintain the socio-political institutions which the people are accustomed to, whereas a new prince must first stabilize his newfound power in order to build an enduring political structure. Public and private morality have to be understood as two different things in order to rule well. Therefore, a ruler must be concerned with reputation. In addition, he should also be positively willing to act immorally at the right times. As a political theorist, Machiavelli emphasizes the occasional need for the methodical exercise of brute force or deceit.

The book glorifies instrumentality in state building--an approach embodied by the saying that "the ends justify the means." Violence may be indispensable for the successful stabilization of power and introduction of new legal institutions. Force may be used to eliminate political rivals, to coerce resistant populations, and to purge the community of other men who are strong enough to rule.

Niccolo Machiavelli (3 May 1469-21 June 1527) was an Italian diplomat, politician, historian, philosopher, humanist, writer, playwright and poet of the Renaissance period. He has often been called the father of modern political science. For many years he was a senior official in the Florentine Republic, with responsibilities in diplomatic and military affairs. He was secretary to the Second Chancery of the Republic of Florence from 1498 to 1512, when the Medici were out of power. He wrote his most well-known work The Prince in 1513, having been exiled from city affairs.