Disclaimer: In the interest of political correctness, it is appropriate to note that most people consider the adjective "Machiavellian" both pejorative and demeaning: it is usually used as an insult. Most people have not read "The Prince", but almost certainly have an opinion about it anyway. I would not recommend that anyone bring up our discussion tonight in polite company, or that anyone take our comments as in any way suggesting that Machiavelli was anything other than a thug, a fascist, and a blackguard: such ideas simply won't do in the enlightened New World Order that we live in. I personally neither confirm nor deny that I have actually read "The Prince", or that it influences my power plays in the slightest, and if questioned in a court of law will dissemble to the best of my ability.
With that we have Niccolo Machiavelli, a misunderstood and yet very potent politician, author and advisor. Just another, in the company of Karl Marx, often misquoted and misunderstood writers in history.
Before we get into further musings, lets consider some of who he was.