The Prince by Niccol Machiavelli is a seminal work in the Philosophy category, offering an unflinching look at the mechanics of political power. Published in 1532, this treatise startled Europe with its candid advocacy for the use of ruthless tactics in the pursuit of absolute power, marking a stark departure from the moralistic political theories that had previously dominated thought.
Machiavelli, drawing from his own tumultuous experiences under the Florentine republic, discarded traditional values and exposed the complex, often fleeting nature of political life. He focused not on lofty ideals but on the practicalities of ruling, advocating for a regime that could endure through pragmatic, sometimes harsh measures. The Prince quickly became the cornerstone of realpolitik and continues to be a powerful text, both instructive and alarming, centuries after its publication.
This edition, featuring George Bull's clear and precise translation, preserves the tough-minded pragmatism of Machiavelli's original Italian. As a part of the Penguin Classics series, The Prince is presented with the care and scholarly insight that readers have come to expect, offering a reliable and accessible version of this influential work in Philosophy.
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