Machiavellian
Cunning and amoral
Machiavellian describes someone cunning and manipulative in pursuing power, derived from Niccolò Machiavelli, the Renaissance political theorist whose work *The Prince* advised rulers that effective governance sometimes requires deception and ruthlessness.
The term often misrepresents his actual philosophy but has become shorthand for amoral political scheming: a Machiavellian advisor whispering in the president's ear. (Also spelled lowercase.)
philosophy
Treatise on obtaining power
- FlorentineOf a Renaissance city
- political theoryStudy of governance principles
- republicanismGovernment by elected officials
- RenaissanceEuropean cultural reawakening
moral relativism · consequentialism · Borgia · Medici · treatise · Florence
historical
Art of government
- realpolitikPolitics prioritizing practicality over ethics
- pragmatismPractical problem-solving philosophy
- princeRoyal family male
- rulerOne who governs
The Prince
Treatise on obtaining power
- FlorentineOf a Renaissance city
- political theoryStudy of governance principles
- republicanismGovernment by elected officials
Renaissance · moral relativism · consequentialism · Borgia · Medici · treatise · Florence
statecraft
Art of government
- realpolitikPolitics prioritizing practicality over ethics
- pragmatismPractical problem-solving philosophy
- princeRoyal family male
- EponymsDarwinian, Alzheimer's disease, Freudian slip, cardigan, Parkinson's disease
- AllusionsAchilles heel, Pandora's box, Trojan horse, forbidden fruit, Midas touch
- Historical AllusionsTrojan horse, Achilles heel, Pyrrhic victory, crossing the Rubicon, Pandora's box
- schemersschemer, manipulator, conniver, plotter, intriguer
- wickedevil, wicked, villainous, malicious, sinister
- Royal Dramamonarchs, kings, queens, sovereigns, regents