The Prince

Machiavelli's work is a foundational text in modern political philosophy, marking a significant shift by separating politics from ethics. His political realism has influenced prominent thinkers such as Bacon, Milton, and Rousseau, shaping the development of materialist philosophy. The treatise also left a lasting mark on political leaders in the modern West, including the Founding Fathers of the United States, who were inspired by Machiavelli's advocacy for republican governance.