... and the dangers which it presents and should avoid it. A general principle assumed by Machiavelli is the supreme importance in society of the ruler (lawgiver). What Machiavelli mean is a successful state must be founded by a single men, and the laws and government which he creates determine the national character of his people, for example Medici family. Moral and civic virtue becomes bigger than the law, and when a society becomes corrupt it can never reform itself, but must be taken in control by one lawgiver who can restore it. Machiavelli constantly praises free actions, actions which takes place in some social and historical context. Necessity narrows the range of alternatives, but choices have to be made [Skinner, 1981,31]. Furthermore it is possible by reason applied to experience to make meaningful decisions and generalisations about how certain types of action, but even there is always Fortuna. Ideally men ...

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