Brandon H. (Hathis) reviewed on
Niccolo Machiavelli's views on politics have been grossly misrepresented. The "machiavellian" politics that society attributes to him (The ends justify the means) are, for the most part, false. In The Prince Niccolo Machiavelli discusses the different ways a monarchy, or principality, operates. He discusses using historical evidence how the best rulers came to power and kept it, neither praising the virtuous or the decietful, although he does clearly distinguish between the two. Machiavelli's purpose in the Prince was not to promote a selfish and destructive rise to power, but to outline the methods that Princes and rulers can and have used throughout history to hold great power. He carefully shows the difference between rulers who have forced their way into control and those who were allowed that seat by their virtuous methods, clearly showing the advantages and disadvantages of each.
