Machiavelli was imprisoned for his politics.
You didn’t read my post, so there is no point in engaging you any further.
I read your whole post. In fact, I’ve read a fair amount of what Machiavelli wrote.
I just disagree with the guy. I don’t think his principles can be used to set up a stable government by the people. In fact, that’s not what they were designed to do. He wanted a leader to pretend to be a friend of the people till he could seize absolute power and crush his enemies.
Not exactly a G.Washington type. More Napoleon or Hitler. Who built a more lasting government?