Indeed it does. To give proper credit: I got this from a class on Modern Political Theory taught by Peter Euben (so, so long ago!).

Much of the time the argument in The Prince gets taken the way Machiavelli presents it himself: as the ultimate text in "realism." It's not. (Or at least there's as much idealism in there as there is realism.)

(Hi Andrew! Nice to connect here.)

Added - thanks! (And may I say: big fan of your work!!)

Aw. I'm a social media introvert and not planning to post much, but thanks for the kind welcome, Kennan!