The works and views of Nicolo Machiavelli (1469-1527) have been extensively analyzed since he first introduced them. Indeed, Machiavelli's influence on politics has been so great that he is accredited with having influenced major historical figures who were never even acquainted with his works. One of his works, The Prince, is probably second only to the Bible as being one of the most debated texts in world history.

Machiavelli is revered as having established the foundation for a scientific evaluation of politics and for having stimulated just about every political view available to the Western world. Conversely, The Prince has been strongly criticized for its apparently amoral political recommendations which have produced dire consequences when applied to the real world. However, it can be argued that The Prince, viewed in proper context, can also exact positive moral implication. Both of these findings are most properly presented in conjunction with one of Machiavelli's lesser known works, The Discourses, and in understanding the intentions of Machiavelli himself.

By reading only The Prince, one gets a sense that Machiavelli was a proponent of amoral action and absol

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Approximate Pages = 9 (250 words per page double spaced)