Introduction Few political texts have sparked as much debate, controversy and enduring fascination as Niccolò Machiavelli’s The Prince. Written in 1513, Machiavelli’s The Prince broke away from the idealistic traditions of political philosophy. It offered a starkly realistic guide for rulers seeking to acquire and maintain power. The printed version did not appear until 1532, five years after Machiavelli’s death. He was a diplomat and political theorist from Florence. He drew on his own experiences and the turbulent politics of...