noun plural but singular or plural in construction
Etymology: translation of German machtpolitik
: politics based primarily on the use of power as a coercive force rather than upon ethical precepts
less savory incidents of church power politics — W.H.Chamberlin
especially : international politics characterized by attempts to advance national interests (as the achievement and maintenance of security) or to obtain concessions from rivals through coercion on the basis of military and economic strength
a statesman conversant with the facts of power politics — E.M.Earle
eliminate power politics and replace them with a kind of mystical international cooperation — G.L.Kirk
give up our power politics … and turn instead to treaty rights and principle and law — T.K.Finletter
— compare balance of power , machtpolitik , realpolitik