politics
Definitions
The activities of government and the contest for power; the study of these activities; one's political views
政治；政治活动与权力角逐；政治学；政见
Maneuvering for power or advantage within an organization
（组织内部的）权术，明争暗斗
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedpolit (the city-state, pólis) + -ics (the study or practice of) = 'the affairs of the city.' The Greeks called the whole business of running their city-state ta politiká. For us it has narrowed to government and the struggle for power.
Root polit still carries 11 more wordsWhy It Means This
Politics is the most literal descendant of the Greek pólis. To the Greeks, taking part in 'the affairs of the city' was the duty of every citizen — it covered debate, voting, and lawmaking. Over time the word both narrowed (to mean government) and split in tone: it can mean the honorable work of public service, or the cynical scramble for advantage, as in 'office politics.'
Usage Guide
- Takes a singular verb despite the -s: 'Politics is a tough business.'
- As a field of study it's also singular: 'She studies politics at university.'
- 'Office/workplace politics' = the cynical maneuvering sense, usually plural in feel ('the politics are getting ugly').
Example Sentences
- 1.
He has been involved in local politics for over twenty years.
- 2.
I try to keep my personal and professional lives free of politics.
- 3.
Office politics made the promotion decision far from fair.
- 4.
She studied politics and philosophy at university.
Easily Confused
politics vs policy — politics is the arena (government, the contest for power); policy is a specific plan of action chosen within it. A government's foreign policy is one decision; foreign-affairs politics is the whole fight over it.