Standing Nude Painting by Amedo Modigalini

Machiavelli has the same place in Italian history as Chanakya has in ancient Indian history. He is called the ‘child of his age’. Exponent of cunning statesmanship, Machiavelli gave a new word to English language-Machiavellian-which means cunning, crafty and perfidious. He advised the state of adopt any means to keep itself strong and united, even if the means were devoid of political morality. He believed that political expediency rather than right is more acceptable.

Niccolo Machiavelli was born in Italy in the year 1469. He lived in the city of Florence. He established relations with many rulers when he worked as a minister. He was a friend and well-wisher of the family of Lorenzo de Medici. He married Mariette Oorsini in 1502. ‘The Prince’ (1532) in which he propounded his political philosophy is his most well known work. This book describes the amoral and unscrupulous political calculation by which an “ideal” prince maintains his power. It is often seen as a cynical guide to power politics although his motives in writing it are much debated. His last years of life were spent in sickness, poverty and he died at the age of 58.

Machiavelli is considered an important thinker as far as political thought is concerned. He used historical method instead of religious method. The age of Renaissance starts with him and the age of political equations. Came to an end. His philosophy reflects Renaissance and history of Florence (1532). He gave picture of a strong and united state. He believed that religion and politics are two different practices and thoughts and politics have nothing to do with religion. According to him religion should be slave of politics and as such state should adopt all means, whether moral or immoral, to keep itself strong.