| − | '''Niccolò Machiavelli''' (1469 - 1527) was an Italian political theorist and historian of [[The Renaissance]]. A politician and writer based in [[Florence]], Italy, he is best known for his book ''The Prince'', which showed a successful ruler will follow the policy that the "end justifies the means." Machiavelli's name has been used for centuries to describe the use or approval of unscrupulous political action, despite the fact that he was well respected as an honorable man, who was the victim of corruption, political deceit and violence throughout his political career in Florence. His concept of civic virtue became a central element of [[republicanism]], which strongly influenced the development of European and American political thought and made his the first modern political thinker. ''The Prince'' made '''"Machiavellian"''' a byword for deceit, despotism and political manipulation. | + | '''Niccolò Machiavelli''' (1469 - 1527) was an Italian political theorist and historian of [[The Renaissance]]. A politician and writer based in [[Florence]], Italy, he is best known for his book ''The Prince'', which showed how a self-serving ruler will follow the policy that the "end justifies the means." During his time and long afterward, Machiavelli was considered to be the devil, and his name has been used for centuries to describe the use or approval of unscrupulous, self-serving political action. ''The Prince'' made '''"Machiavellian"''' a byword for deceit, despotism and political manipulation. |