Name: The Prince
Author: Niccolò Machiavelli
ISBN: 9780199535699

The Prince

Niccolò Machiavelli

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Author Description

When Machiavelli's brief treatise on Renaissance statecraft and princely power was posthumously published in 1532, it generated a debate that has raged unabated until the present day. Based upon Machiavelli's first-hand experience as an emissary of the Florentine Republic to the courts of Europe, The Prince analyses the usually violent means by which men seize, retain, and lose political power. Machiavelli added a dimension of incisive realism to one of the major philosophical and political issues of his time, especially the relationship between public deeds and private morality. His book provides a remarkably uncompromising picture of the true nature of power, no matter in what era or by whom it is exercised. This fluent new translation is accompanied by an introduction that considers the true purpose of The Prince and dispels some of the myths associated with it. It has the most comprehensive explanatory and critical notes found in any currently available English translation and the most comprehensive bibliography in any edition of the work. It also contains a helpful Glossary of Proper Names, an Index and a map.About the Series: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the broadest spectrum of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, voluminous notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.

Menrva's Summary

THE THESIS

The core question investigated is how a ruler can effectively acquire, maintain, and exercise political power within the volatile landscape of Renaissance Italy. Niccolò Machiavelli, drawing upon his extensive experience as a diplomat for the Florentine Republic, constructs a pragmatic framework for statecraft that separates political efficacy from traditional moral constraints. By analyzing the actions of historical and contemporary figures, he argues that the stability of the state often necessitates actions that deviate from conventional ethics. This work serves as a foundational inquiry into the mechanics of leadership and the harsh realities of governance.

THE SCOPE MAP

What You Will Find

Analysis of political power dynamics in 16th-century Italy
Case studies of historical rulers and their decision-making processes
Methodological advice on military organization and civil administration
Examination of the tension between public political necessity and private morality

THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE

Experts and scholars consistently identify this work as a cornerstone of modern political science and a primary text for understanding realpolitik. Readers frequently note the stark, clinical nature of the prose, which remains as relevant to contemporary political discourse as it was during the Renaissance.

Page Count:
186

Publication Date:
2008-05-15

Publisher:
Oxford University Press

ISBN-10:
0199535698

ISBN-13:
9780199535699

Classics

History

Philosophy

Political Theory

Renaissance