Philosopher Machiavelli as Political Writer

Italian Theorist Famous for The Prince and The Discourses

Sep 28, 2009

Works of Niccolò Machiavelli, Italian philosopher, writer, statesman, diplomat and great political theorist of the Italian Renaissance.

Niccolò Machiavelli, famous for the phrase "the end justifies the means," was a figure of the Italian Renaissance and political scene, and an important thinker in early 16thcentury Italy. He was a political theorist, writer, philosopher, diplomat and statesman.

He is best-known for his The Prince, a book often called "a handbook for tyrants" as it is seen as a promotion of cruelty and ruthlessness among political leaders.

Niccolò Machiavelli (1469-1527), was born on May 3, 1469 in Florence, Italy. He was born into a scholarly family of lawyers. He was educated at home.

In June 1498, following the execution of Savonarola, the Great Council elected him as the second chancellor of the Republic of Florence. He died on June 21, 1527, at the age of 58.

Machiavelli the Statesman and Diplomat

As the second chancellor of Florence, he was sent on a number of diplomatic missions to foreign courts, where he wasted no opportunity to study their politics. He was an energetic opponent of the tyrannical Medici family, who had formerly been in power and was plotting to return.

In 1512, the Medici succeeded in overthrowing the republic. Machiavelli was suspected of being involved in a major conspiracy against them and was arrested as a result, but evidence of conspiracy could not be verified. Ultimately, he was released from custody and he was allowed to retire to the country.

Machiavelli the Political Writer

A year later, in 1513, Machiavelli wrote his most celebrated work, The Prince, which was only published in 1532. Originally titled On Principalities, the book contains advice to an imagined ruler, including recommendations that the ruler discourage political protest by the masses and retain power by using violence when necessary. It is a textbook on the art of leadership, its amoral stand on how to secure and hold on to political power has given the popular term "Machiavellian."

His other major book, The Discourses, was written about the same time as The Prince. It gives a more complete picture of Machiavelli's political opinions. From a commentary on the works of Livy, a Roman historian, The Discourses are a defence of a republican government, in which Rome is taken as a model.

Twelve years later, the Medici invited Machiavelli to return to the court to write a history of Florence.

An Insight to Niccolò Machiavelli

His name is generally used to describe wily and cynical tactics, but this is not entirely fair. Machiavelli the philosopher and theorist, political writer and statesman strongly supported the view that individuals should lead a moral life. It was in political matters that he thought efficiency just might take priority over morality, as he strongly believed that it is the achievement of a government held in respect by its people which was his main concern.

Books by Niccolò Machiavelli

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