In order to understand how truly qualified Machiavelli was in advising a new prince, one must understand his background. Niccolo Machiavelli, known to many as the father of modern political theory, was born on May 3, 1469 in Florence, Italy. He was educated in the typical renaissance style of the "humane disciplines", encompassing Latin, history, moral philosophy and politics. Through these studies and his readings of such great writers as Aristotle, Herodotus, and Virgil, Machiavelli gained much of his historical perspective.

When he was a young man, he was appointed head of the Second Chancery. The chanceries handled correspondence dealing with domestic, foreign and military affairs of Florence. He was soon after promoted to secretary of The Ten of War (the diplomatic relations committee of Florence). This position afforded him the opportunity to travel abroad to act as a diplomatic attache, sending home to Florence reports and observations of foreign nations and their rulers.

Thus, Machiavelli's astute observation of human nature in the simplistic form of advice given in The Prince transcends from Renaissance Italy to the present. It is this simplicity of human nature and psychology that has enabled The Prince to not only endure but to become renowned in the area of political science. Though infamous to some, it has become an example of how to be an effective political leader even today.

"The view which in the sixteenth century was formed about Machiavelli's prescriptions for human behavior can be summarized in the simple formula that he was considered to be a teacher of evil. His message was that being evil was more useful and efficient than being good." (Dictionary... 117)

The nineteenth century brought about yet another change in the attitude towards Machiavelli's theories. A rise in nationalism throughout Europe caused people to minimize the "evil stigma" of Machiavellist ideas. In the concluding chapters of The Prince, Machiavelli begs the new ruler to unify and strengthen Italy against any foreign invaders. Nineteenth century readers would determine that "Machiavelli was transformed into a prophet of the age of nationalism, and the amorality of his doctrines was explained as a result of the hopelessness of the Italian situation." (Dictionary... 124) In other words, Machiavelli's ideas were a reflection of his concerns and love for his country, like a knee-jerk reaction to a crisis. It is during this time that the meaning of "Machiavellian" and "Machiavellist" became varied and even contradictory. In the past, Machiavellian politics were considered evil and satanic. In the nineteenth century, it came to mean clever or shrewd, admired by some, despised by others.

"His observations abroad resulted in many of the ideas that form the basis for the major statements found in his political works." (Ratliff 1) Thus, one may conclude that Machiavelli had first hand knowledge and experience in diplomacy and politics. This is how uniquely qualified Machiavelli was and why The Prince has become, to some, a "political bible". Machiavellian politics has also come to describe unscrupulous political behavior. However, from Machiavelli's perspective it is merely his observation of successful and effective politics.

As one reads through The Prince

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Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)