Main Entry: Ma·chi·a·vel·lian·ism

Pronunciation: \-ˈve-lē-ə-ˌni-zəm, -ˈvel-yə-ˌni-zəm\

Function: noun

Date: 1626

: the political theory of Machiavelli; especially : the view that politics is amoral and that any means however unscrupulous can justifiably be used in achieving political power