A political philosophy, based on the writings of Machiavelli, especially The Prince, that advocates the use of ruthlessness and duplicity in political dealings
{i} principles and methods recommended by Machiavelli, justification of the use of unscrupulous and manipulative methods in the pursuit of political power
the political doctrine of Machiavelli: any means (however unscrupulous) can be used by a ruler in order to create and maintain his autocratic government