Final answer:
The Prince, or Il Principe, is a political treatise by the Italian writer Niccolò Machiavelli, known for its significant impact on Western political thought.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Prince, or Il Principe, is a 16th-century political treatise by the Italian writer Niccolò Machiavelli.
Niccolò Machiavelli was an Italian diplomat, politician, historian, philosopher, and writer during the Renaissance. He is most famous for his political treatise, The Prince (Il Principe), written in 1513 and published in 1532, five years after his death. The book is one of the most important political writings in Western history, providing advice to new princes and rulers on how to maintain power and control over their states.
Often cited for its realpolitik approach, the work encourages leaders to use pragmatism and cunning, rather than relying solely on conventional moral principles. This significant piece of literature continues to be studied for its insights into politics and leadership.