Machiavelli's The Prince was a practical effort based on his worldly experience and observation of human nature. It was a work so simple in its idea that it was profoundly effective and has become a "cornerstone of modern political philosophy."(Chew 1)
             In order to understand how truly qualified Machiavelli was in advising a new prince, one must understand his background. Niccolo Machiavelli, known to many as the father of modern political theory, was born on May 3, 1469 in Florence, Italy. He was educated in the typical renaissance style of the "humane disciplines", encompassing Latin, history, moral philosophy and politics. Through these studies and his readings of such great writers as Aristotle, Herodotus, and Virgil, Machiavelli gained much of his historical perspective.
             When he was a young man, he was appointed head of the Second Chancery. The chanceries handled correspondence dealing with domestic, foreign and military affairs of Florence. He was soon after promoted to secretary of The Ten of War (the diplomatic relations committee of Florence). This position afforded him the opportunity to travel abroad to act as a diplomatic attaché, sending home to Florence reports and observations of foreign nations and their rulers. "His observations abroad resulted in many of the ideas that form the basis for the major statements found in his political works." (Ratliff 1) Thus, one may conclude that Machiavelli had first hand knowledge and experience in diplomacy and politics. This is how uniquely qualified Machiavelli was and why The Prince has become, to some, a "political bible". Machiavellian politics has also come to describe unscrupulous political behavior. However, from Machiavelli's perspective it is merely his observation of successful and effective politics.
             The Prince begins with a letter from Machiavelli to Lorenzo de Medici. Machiavelli acknowledges that the o...