'Vorst' Summary

Niccolò Machiavelli's 'The Prince' is a political treatise that provides guidance to rulers on how to acquire, maintain, and expand their power. Machiavelli believed that the most important goal of a ruler should be to maintain and strengthen their state, even if that requires using deception, violence, or other immoral means. He argued that a ruler must be willing to do whatever it takes to achieve their goals, even if it means breaking the law or acting unethically. Machiavelli also emphasized the importance of maintaining a strong military and a loyal following, as well as the need to be feared by one's enemies. 'The Prince' has been a controversial and influential work since its publication, and it remains one of the most important texts in the field of political theory.