The father of modern political science is widely regarded as Niccolò Machiavelli, an Italian diplomat and philosopher. His seminal work, The Prince, laid the groundwork for examining politics through a pragmatic lens. Machiavelli emphasized realpolitik—that is, the importance of political power and statecraft, often advocating for actions that are morally ambiguous if they serve the state’s interests. His ideas have profoundly influenced both political theory and practice, highlighting the practicalities of governance.