Definition

1. Noun:
   • The activities, actions, and policies used to gain and hold power in a government or to influence a government's conduct: This refers to the practice and theory of influencing other people, especially the activities associated with governance.
   • A person's opinions, beliefs, or sympathies about how a country, state, or organization should be governed: This refers to an individual's specific political views or affiliations.
   • The academic study of government, political institutions, processes, and behavior: This refers to the formal discipline of political science.
   • The complex or secret relationships, power struggles, and scheming within any organized group: This extends the concept to non-governmental contexts, like workplaces or social circles.

Examples of Usage

• Noun (Governing activities):
  • Local politics often focuses on issues like schools and roads.
  • He decided to go into politics and run for city council.
• Noun (Personal views):
  • I don't discuss my politics at the dinner table.
  • Her politics are more conservative than her parents'.
• Noun (Academic study):
  • She majored in politics and international relations at university.
• Noun (Group power dynamics):
  • Navigating office politics can be as challenging as doing the actual work.

Advanced Usage

• "To play politics": To act in a way that is focused on gaining personal or factional advantage within an organization, rather than on principles or the common good.
  • The manager was accused of playing politics instead of making decisions based on merit.
• "The politics of...": Used to describe the political aspects or power dynamics surrounding a particular issue.
  • The politics of climate change are incredibly complex.

Variants and Related Words

• Political (adj): Relating to the government or public affairs of a country, or to ideas about power and organization.
  • It was a political decision, not an economic one.
• Politician (n): A person who is professionally involved in politics, especially as a holder of or a candidate for an elected office.
  • The politician gave a speech to her constituents.
• Politicize (v): To cause an activity or event to become political in character.
  • They accused the media of trying to politicize the tragedy.

Synonyms

• Government: The system by which a state or community is governed.
• Statesmanship: The skill, wisdom, and visionary leadership of an experienced politician.
• Realpolitik: Politics or diplomacy based primarily on practical factors, rather than ideological notions.

Related Phrases

• Identity politics: Political positions based on the interests and perspectives of social groups with which people identify.
  • The debate centered on the role of identity politics in the election.
• Body politics: A metaphor in which a nation, state, or other political entity is considered as a physical body.
  • Discussions about public health are inherently about the body politics.

Related Idioms

• Politics makes strange bedfellows: People who would not normally associate with each other may work together for mutual political benefit.
  • The two rival companies supported the same bill—politics makes strange bedfellows.

Noun

1. the activities and affairs involved in managing a state or a government
   • unemployment dominated the politics of the inter-war years
   • government agencies multiplied beyond the control of representative politics
2. the opinion you hold with respect to political questions
3. the profession devoted to governing and to political affairs
4. the study of government of states and other political units
5. social relations involving intrigue to gain authority or power
   • office politics is often counterproductive