Niccolò Machiavelli wrote political and historical works about power, institutions and the practical behaviour of rulers and republics. The Prince addresses how a ruler can gain, hold and stabilise power, discussing reputation, force, alliances, fear and the difficulty of acting morally in dangerous political circumstances. Discourses on Livy takes a broader interest in republican government, civic conflict and the structures that allow states to endure. Machiavelli's prose is compact, analytical and often deliberately unsentimental, using examples from Roman history and contemporary Italian politics. His work fits political philosophy, Renaissance history and statecraft, and is best read with attention to the specific political crises of sixteenth-century Italy rather than as a simple manual for ruthless behaviour. Read more Less
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