Niccolo Machiavelli
1) The prince
Author
Language
English
Formats
Description
Often cited as one of the first works in modern political philosophy, The Prince is a political treatise that relates author Niccolo Machiavelli's theories on state-building and rulership. Drawing on his experience as a diplomat, Machiavelli discusses the important policies for both republican free-states and hereditary princedoms, and outlines the most successful political tactics, many of which remain relevant into modern times.
HarperTorch
...Author
Language
English
Description
He does not, here or anywhere else in his writing, attempt to provide any moral justification for ruthlessness, but merely says that a leader will always be judged by his people based on the end result of his actions. He was very pragmatic in his outlook on princely rule, and sought to explain the actions that would and would not be effective in gaining and maintaining the rule of a nation.