[s] to foster a spirit of patriotism and civic virtue among
             its citizens" ("Niccolo Machiavelli: Statesman and Philosopher"). For the
             reason of the fact that Machiavelli was such a strong defender of the idea
             of the republic and its efficacy as a form of governances, "[c]ritics have
             found it ironic that the fiercely republican Machiavelli should have
             written a handbook advising an autocratic leader how best to acquire and
             maintain power and security" ("Niccolo (di Bernardo) Machiavelli"). Indeed,
             this is, of course deeply, deeply, ironic and probably Machiavelli himself
             would be exceptionally dismayed to realize that his treatise had been used
             for the purposes of further autocratic rule by historic personages who have
             lived since he wrote The Prince, nonetheless, he was, at the time,
             motivated by a variety of factors that seemed to make the writing of this
             work not only relevant, but, in fact, absolutely necessary. Indeed, it is
             important to remember that The Prince "was written in a time of large-scale
             blackmail, violence and political conflicts. political instability, fear,
             invasion, intrigue, Italy was repeatedly won and controlled by foreigners"
             ("Niccolo Machiavelli"). Given the fact that the old interpretation of
             Machiavelli that sees him as an evil manipulator doesn't consider these
             other factors, many people are now reconsidering his work in this light:
             This interpretation of Machiavelli's thought is now being
             challenged on the grounds that it does not take into account any of
             his works other than The Prince and does not consider the political
             situation in Italy when he was writing.
             ("Niccolo Machiavelliâ€"Biography and Works").
             Indeed, a letter written by Machiavelli was discovered in 1810, which
             suggested that he wrote The Prince for the simple fact that he wished to
             end the senseless and ceaseless i...