Machiavellianism

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

Machiavellianism
    n 1: the political doctrine of Machiavelli: any means (however
         unscrupulous) can be used by a ruler in order to create and
         maintain his autocratic government

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Machiavelism \Mach"i*a*vel*ism\, Machiavellianism
\Mach`i*a*vel"lian*ism\, n. [Cf. F. machiav['e]lisme; It.
   machiavellismo.]
   The supposed principles of Machiavelli, or practice in
   conformity to them; political artifice, intended to favor
   arbitrary power.
   [1913 Webster]