Machiavelli wrote The Prince for his ruler as a guide for gaining and keeping power. Central themes of his essay are the relation between politics and ethics, what the best form of government consists of; the importance of the Church, and the growth of Italy as a nation-state. The word “Machiavellian” often suggests sinister motives, but some scholars question this traditional interpretation. Boétie wrote Discourse on Voluntary Ser.
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