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Niccolò Machiavelli was an Italian Renaissance political philosopher and historian, most renowned for his works on political theory and ethics. Born on May 3, 1469, in Florence, Italy, Machiavelli has often been called the father of modern political science. He entered the political service of his native Florence by the year 1498. During his career, he served as a diplomat, engaging in a number of missions to the courts of Europe. Largely considered a central figure in the realist school of political philosophy, his most celebrated work, 'The Prince' (Il Principe, 1532), has been widely regarded as a foundational text in the field of political science and strategy, fostering the advancement of a realpolitik approach to governance. His book 'Discourses on Livy' (Discorsi sopra la prima deca di Tito Livio, 1531) is esteemed for providing insightful analysis on republican politics. However, 'The Science of Prosperity' does not align with the historically acknowledged works of Machiavelli and thus appears to be apocryphal or erroneously attributed. This dissonance may suggest either an error in book title reference or an exploration of Machiavelli's ideas as examined through an unrelated work. Regardless, Machiavelli's legacy endures through his probing exploration of power, statecraft, and human nature, which continues to elicit both admiration and controversy within scholarly circles. His literary style is marked by lucid prose, sharp political insights, and often a contentious bluntness that has cemented his place in the Western philosophical canon.
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