For most people the word “Machiavellian” carries no connotation of virtue, and it’s never meant as praise. A stock theatrical character of the Elizabethan era was the Machiavel, who “delights in his ...

One could reread “The Prince,” Machiavelli’s manifesto for political maneuvering in 16th century Renaissance Italy — or refer to “How to Choose a Leader,” Maurizio Viroli’s new book breaking down the ...

Machiavelli’s The Prince has served as political propaganda for centuries, with little agreement on the Renaissance-era politician’s actual intent. Viroli (Niccolo’s Smile) argues that it is actually ...