ENGLISH LITERATURE (CBSE/UGC NET)

Detailed explanation-1: -Someone Machiavellian is sneaky, cunning, and lacking a moral code. The word comes from the Italian philosopher Niccolò Machiavelli, who wrote the political treatise The Prince in the 1500s, that encourages “the end justifies the means” behavior, especially among politicians.

Detailed explanation-2: -Machiavellianism is a personality trait that denotes cunningness, the ability to be manipulative, and a drive to use whatever means necessary to gain power. Machiavellianism is one of the traits that forms the Dark Triad, along with narcissism and psychopathy.

Detailed explanation-3: -From there, the word “Machiavellian” was born, which describes anyone who’s scheming, unscrupulous, or cunning. In 1970, psychologists Richard Christie and Florence Geiss identified Machiavellianism as a personality trait involving manipulativeness, deceit, and a cold, calculating, cynical view of others.

Detailed explanation-4: -characterized by subtle or unscrupulous cunning, deception, expediency, or dishonesty: He resorted to Machiavellian tactics in order to get ahead.

Detailed explanation-5: -Machiavellianism is generally interpreted as an immoral doctrine, and so is used as a term of reproach and dishonor. But Machiavelli’s arguments have also been seen as recognition of the realities of political life, and so some view Machiavellianism as amoral, objective, or descriptive, rather than immoral.