Definition of "Machiavellianism"

Machiavellianism

noun
countable and uncountable, plural Machiavellianisms
1. (philosophy, politics) A political philosophy, based on the writings of Machiavelli, especially The Prince, that advocates the use of ruthlessness and duplicity in political dealings.
  Quotations
  Let us turn, finally, to the war itself, and ask ourselves if it can be understood as the victory of decency over Machiavellianism.
  2001, Tim Spiekerman, Shakespeare's Political Realism: The English History Plays, SUNY Press, page 54
2. (countable) A political maneuver that exemplifies the philosophy.
3. (personality psychology) A psychological trait centered on interpersonal manipulation, unemotional coldness, and indifference to morality.
  Quotations
  Machiavellianism refers to interpersonal strategies that advocate self-interest, deception, and manipulation, so it would seem inherently related to core psychopathy and narcissism.
  2011, Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Sophie von Stumm, Adrian Furnham, The Wiley-Blackwell Handbook of Individual Differences, John Wiley & Sons
4. (by extension) Any ruthless, duplicitous behavior.