Machiavellianism

In a political science context, the term “Machiavellianism” was usually associated with the ideas outlined in Machiavelli's book “Sovereign” about a rigid, centralized government, guided in its decisions primarily for the good of the state, as it is understood by a cold mind, and not by moral and ethical standards.

It should not be overlooked that Machiavelli considered the republic to be the best form of state ^[3] . Despite the fact that Italian reality (the continuous hostility between the Italian states subjected to attacks by foreigners) required the establishment of autocracy, Machiavelli was convinced that only with a strong sovereign it is possible to create an independent Italian state, free from foreign yoke. It was to strengthen this state that he allowed any means - violence, murder, deceit, betrayal.

A comparison of the works of Machiavelli himself with the works and works of other authors of his era “inclines, however, to the opinion that N. Machiavelli himself was no different in this respect from his contemporaries. In our century, it is rather difficult to accept recommendations regarding, for example, who should be exterminated after the seizure of territory. However, for the medieval reader this was in the order of things. If measured by modern standards, then the authors of the Old Testament could be accused of sympathy for the genocide ” ^[4] .

In scientific ^[5] and journalistic ^[6] works on political science, “Machiavellianism” is put in the context of manipulation of the mass consciousness - one of the varieties of forms and methods of domination and control of socio-political processes in society.

In psychology, the concept of "Machiavellianism" began to be used by American psychologists R. Christie and F. Haze, who developed a special "Machiavellianism Scale" ^[7] .

The meaning of the concept lies in three key psychological components (factors) ^[8] :

1. Behavior . The use of manipulative techniques in the process of interpersonal interaction. It is important to note that the Machiavellian always manipulates consciously in order to achieve benefits for himself, using sophisticated techniques of flattery, deception, bribery, and forgery ^[9] .
2. Attitude . Cynical attitude to other people as weak and dependent on social pressure. Machiavellianists treat other people with suspicion, emotionally alienated, focusing not on the partner, but on their own benefit, which they can get through it. That is, in the process of manipulation, the interaction partner is for the Machiavellian nothing more than a tool, thanks to which you can achieve the desired result.
3. Ignoring social morality when it makes it difficult to achieve the desired result, and manipulating its dogmas to achieve the desired goal.

It is worth noting that in the future, the classic three-factor scheme of Christie and Haze and the methodology for its diagnosis were analyzed and some objections were raised to them. For example, Hunter and others, according to the results of various samples, found that the phenomenon of Machiavellianism included not three, but four factors: deceitfulness , flattery , disbelief in morality, and the belief that people were initially false and vicious ^[8] .

In Russian psychology, there are also scientists who study the problems of Machiavellianism. So, under the leadership of I. G. Kokurina, assistant professor of social psychology at Moscow State University. M.V. Lomonosov, a number of works on Machiavellianism and social anomie (Bednenko, A.V., Lutskina V.V.) were completed, including the translation of scales diagnosing Machiavellianism. V.V. Lutskina identified several social groups with high testimony on the Machiavellism scale, among them convicted of economic crimes are leading. The level of Machiavellianism was also very significant for many of the interrogated full-time and part-time students. Subsequently, the ideas about Machiavellianism were developed in the works of the main scientific researcher of the IP RAS, doctor of psychological sciences V.V. Znakov . According to the latter, a Machiavellian is “a subject who manipulates others on the basis of creeds , certain life principles, which serve as an excuse for manipulative behavior” ^[10] . V.V. Znakov introduced his interpretation of the MACH IV Machiavellianism diagnostic technique.

• The Sovereign, Machiavelli N. Selected Works. M .: Hood. lit., 1982 .
• Schulz E.E. Theory of social protest. - Barnaul: C-Press Publishing Group, 2014. - 146 p. ISBN 978-5-905177-49-1 .
• Bednenko A. V. Manipulative installation in the professional activities of a manager: Dis. ... cand. psychol. Sciences: 19.00.05: Moscow, 2003, 187 c.