Machiavellianism is a political thought or practice defined by cunning, manipulation, and the use of deception to gain and preserve power. The word comes from Niccolò Machiavelli, a 16th-century Italian political philosopher whose work, particularly “The Prince,” addressed leaders’ pragmatic and sometimes ruthless strategies for gaining and consolidating political power. Machiavellian tendencies in individuals or political strategies frequently include a concentration on self-interest, the deliberate use of deception, and a tendency to emphasize pragmatic objectives over moral or ethical concerns. The word is widely used to describe people or activities in politics and leadership that exemplify these characteristics.
