Niccolo di Bernardo dei Machiavelli (1469-1527), an Italian historian, politician, diplomat, philosopher, humanist and writer based in Florence during the Renaissance. He was for many years an official in the Florentine Republic, with responsibilities in diplomatic and military affairs. He was a founder of modern political science, and more specifically political ethics. He wrote his masterpiece, The Prince, after the Medici had recovered power and he no longer held a position of responsibility in Florence. He was a political realist, concerned with government that would last. This meant political leaders must be prepared where necessary to do evil. Subsequently, his name became synonymous with political despotism. |