politics
/'pɔlitiks/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- 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
- 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
- the opinion you hold with respect to political questions
- the profession devoted to governing and to political affairs
- the study of government of states and other political units
- social relations involving intrigue to gain authority or power
- office politics is often counterproductive