Machiavellianism
📖 Definitions
noun
The use of unscrupulous means, cunning, and deceit in pursuit of power, especially in politics.
💬 Usage Examples
“Ms. Merkel rose to power by besting the men around her. She took over the Christian Democrats by sidelining her mentor, the former Chancellor Helmut Kohl (who used to call her “mein Mädchen” -- my girl). In 2005, she beat the macho Chancellor Gerhard Schröder, a man known for considering women’s emancipation as “Gedöns” -- bric-a-brac. Ms. Merkel did so by applying her unusual political intelligence as well as an age-old Machiavellianism.” Anna Sauerbrey; What Do Clinton and Merkel Have in Common?; The New York Times; Oct 31, 2016.