Machiavellianism
Ends justify means
Machiavellianism is the use of cunning, manipulation, and expedience to achieve political or personal goals, with little regard for morality.
The term derives from Niccolò Machiavelli, whose 16th-century treatise *The Prince* advised rulers that effective governance sometimes requires deception and ruthlessness.
In psychology, Machiavellianism is one of the "dark triad" personality traits, alongside narcissism and psychopathy: He scored high on Machiavellianism—charming but calculating.
Crafty and calculating
- craftyCleverly deceptive
- deviousUnderhanded and calculating
- wilySkilled at deception
- slyCleverly deceptive
guile · shrewd · calculating · conniving · duplicitous · underhanded · artful · subtle
Intentional misleading of others
- exploitationSelfish use of others
- subterfugeDeliberate deception to conceal
- intrigueSecret plotting or fascination
- maneuveringSkillful directional control
duplicity · artifice · chicanery · ploy · ruse · gambit · stratagem · coercion
Treatise on obtaining power
- realpolitikPolitics prioritizing practicality over ethics
- amoralismRejection of moral categories
- FlorentineOf a Renaissance city
- RenaissanceEuropean cultural reawakening
political ethics · statecraft · secularism · humanism · ends justify means · necessary evil · civic virtue
Methods to achieve goals
- game theoryStudy of strategic interaction
- calculationMathematical problem-solving process
- foresightAbility to anticipate futures
- long gamePlanning for distant goals
chess · scheming · contingency · outmaneuvering · counterintelligence · espionage · disinformation · divide and conquer
Prioritizing practicality over ethics
- self-interestConcern for personal advantage
- exploitationSelfish use of others
- advantageFavorable position or circumstance
- pragmatismPractical problem-solving philosophy
self-serving · ruthlessness · venality · betrayal · turncoat · fair-weather · calculated risk · timing
Superior influence over others
- controlAuthority to direct
- authorityPower to enforce obedience
- influencePower to affect others
- hegemonyDominant group's control
supremacy · ascendancy · command · dominion · mastery · subjugation · consolidation · usurpation
scheming
Crafty and calculating
sly · guile · shrewd · calculating · conniving · duplicitous · underhanded · artful · subtle · astute
deception
Intentional misleading of others
- exploitationSelfish use of others
- subterfugeDeliberate deception to conceal
- intrigueSecret plotting or fascination
maneuvering · duplicity · artifice · chicanery · ploy · ruse · gambit · stratagem · coercion · persuasion
The Prince
Treatise on obtaining power
- realpolitikPolitics prioritizing practicality over ethics
- amoralismRejection of moral categories
- FlorentineOf a Renaissance city
Renaissance · political ethics · statecraft · secularism · humanism · ends justify means · necessary evil · civic virtue
tactics
Methods to achieve goals
- game theoryStudy of strategic interaction
- calculationMathematical problem-solving process
- foresightAbility to anticipate futures
long game · chess · scheming · contingency · outmaneuvering · counterintelligence · espionage · disinformation · divide and conquer · feint
expediency
Prioritizing practicality over ethics
- self-interestConcern for personal advantage
- exploitationSelfish use of others
- advantageFavorable position or circumstance
pragmatism · self-serving · ruthlessness · venality · betrayal · turncoat · fair-weather · calculated risk · timing · power vacuum
dominance
Superior influence over others
hegemony · supremacy · ascendancy · command · dominion · mastery · subjugation · consolidation · usurpation · strongman
- political philosophypolitical philosophy, political theory, political thought, social contract, natural rights
- Renaissance Politicsstatecraft, political power, royal authority, divine right, absolutism
- personalitypersonality, trait, temperament, traits, character
- philosophyethics, logic, metaphysics, ontology, epistemology
- manipulationgaslighting, guilt tripping, blame-shifting, brainwashing, guilt trip
- Italian PoliticsBerlusconi, Five Star, Democratic Party, coalition governments, political instability
Machiavellianismidealism
Belief in noble principles
utopianism · deontology · Gandhism · civic virtue · rule of law
Machiavellianismsincerity
Honest, unfeigned genuineness
honesty · straightforwardness · guilelessness · naiveté · candor
Machiavellianismaltruism
Prioritizing others' wellbeing
empathy · agreeableness · benevolence · compassion · credulity