Definition

1. Proper noun:
   • A Florentine statesman and political philosopher: Niccolo Machiavelli was a Renaissance diplomat, writer, and thinker from Florence, Italy, known for his pragmatic and often controversial analysis of political power.
   • The author of seminal political works: He is the author of "The Prince," a treatise on political leadership and statecraft that argues that effective rulers may need to employ deceit and force to maintain power and stability.

Examples of Usage

• Proper noun:
  • Niccolo Machiavelli served the Republic of Florence as a diplomat.
  • The political theories of Niccolo Machiavelli are studied in universities worldwide.
  • Many consider Niccolo Machiavelli the founder of modern political science.

Advanced Usage

• Machiavellian (adjective): Characterized by cunning, duplicity, or a cynical disregard for morality, especially in politics, derived from the perceived teachings of Niccolo Machiavelli.
  • The dictator's Machiavellian tactics secured his grip on power.
• Machiavellianism (noun): The political philosophy or the use of cunning and unscrupulous methods, as associated with Niccolo Machiavelli.
  • His strategy was a clear example of Machiavellianism.

Variants and Related Words

• Machiavellian (adj): Of or relating to Niccolo Machiavelli or his principles, typically implying cunning and expediency.
• Machiavellianism (n): The principles of conduct espoused by Machiavelli.

Synonyms

• Political realist: A person who views politics practically, focusing on power dynamics rather than ideals.
• Staatsmann (German loanword, context-specific): A statesman.

Related Phrases

• Machiavellian intelligence: A hypothesis in evolutionary psychology proposing that complex social interactions drove the evolution of intelligence, named by analogy to Niccolo Machiavelli's ideas.
  • Primatologists study Machiavellian intelligence in ape societies.

Related Idioms

• To be Machiavellian: To act with cunning and duplicity, prioritizing ends over means.
  • The CEO's ruthless restructuring was described as utterly Machiavellian.

Noun

1. a statesman of Florence who advocated a strong central government (1469-1527)