In 1513, an Italian politician named Niccolò Machiavelli distributed, albeit privately, a political treatise entitled The Prince. This treatise was, essentially, a guide on how to effectively govern your country. It is important to define up front what exactly a Machiavellian is, before describing one. A Machiavellian is a leader who, through his power and influence, works for the common good of his people. This can be done through fear, deception, and even manipulation. It is important to understand the fundamental principle of a Machiavellian; the end justifies the means. The goal is the common good of his people. Vladimir Putin is Machiavellian in the way he maintains power, institutes reforms, and executes economic recovery nationwide; and also in the way he handles international affairs, such as issues with Syria, Snowden and the 2014 Winter Olympics. It is important to capture your past. Those who are rich and influential are bound to be raised differently depending on their background. But to grow up without these things, would it be justified to assume that once they gain this power, they would be more likely to keep it? With humble origins, as Vladimir himself stated in his autobiography, Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin was born on October 7, 1952 in St. Petersburg, Russia. Raised by his mother Maria, who was a factory worker, and his father Vladimir, who was a conscript. Putin was absolutely determined to join the KGB, the Committee for State Security. In his autobiography he states that he was “a pure and absolutely successful product of Soviet patriotic education”. But he also says that much of this “KGB idea came from romantic spy stories.” In short, he never knew what he was getting himself into. Next up... half of the document... Russia over the EU? (Video)." The Christian Science Monitor. The Christian Science Monitor, November 21, 2013. Web. November 22, 2013. .Rutland, Peter Rutland. "Snowden tests Putin's Machiavellianism." The Moscow Times. The Moscow Times, Aug. 19, 2013. Web. Nov. 19, 2013. Bradley, William. “Putin Educates Obama: From Russia with Love.” “Olympics: Going for Gold, Spend in Red.” CNBC, Nov. 10, 2013. Web. Nov. 17. 2013. .