Niccolo Machiavelli presents the concepts of governing a state that is radically different from that of the accepted practices of his time. Machiavelli believes the ruling Prince should be the elite authority determining every aspect of how the state operates, and situates in effect, a policy, which would serve his best interests, as a politician. These interests, explained quite eloquently in this work, are how to gain, maintain, and most importantly, retain political power (17). The writings of Machiavelli can be summed up in one sentence is "The ends justify the means" (17). His understanding of human nature was a complete antithesis of what current theorists, in his time, believed and taught. In short, his work then would be tantamount to modern society's Catcher in the Rye. A novel that is outrageous, yet intellectually and socially provocative. His detestable view of human nature was appalling, adding to the detestable general sentiment of his work. In his era, the information that Machiavelli compiled was shocking, however, one worthy point remains. He told the unadulterated truth about how the political system works, and how to exploit it, criticism consequences and be dammed.

Machiavelli also goes on to explain that Princes must act in a manner commensurate at which they can take responsibility for (18). For example, if a Prince acts and lives lavishly, he must be prepared to reap the repercussions from the people of doing so, in the form of increased taxes. That would result in widespread dissent, and hatred towards the Price, therefore causing a loss of power amongst his constituencies, and resulting in the penultimate event until the demise of his reign.

Another topic Machiavelli expands on is economics. Namely, wether a Prince should act generously and spread wealth around, or to act tightfisted, in order to preserve the wealth of the state (18). He explains that in order to establish a rapport of being philanthropic, one must have an opulent lifestyle, therefore jeopardizing the economic viability of his constituencies. In the event of such, a Prince must pursue extended financial resources in the forms of increased taxes, therefore creating rebellion among his constituents (18). The other side of the coin is that should a Prince act stingy, how would it influence his standing with his subjects (18). In a sense, it is a catch 22, nevertheless, the a

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Approximate Word count = 803
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)