pol ‧ i ‧ tics S2 W2 /ˈpɒlətɪks, ˈpɒlɪtɪks $ ˈpɑː-/ BrE AmE noun
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ politician , ↑ politics , ↑ politicization , ↑ politicking , ↑ politico ; adjective : ↑ political , ↑ politicized , ↑ apolitical , ↑ politic ; verb : ↑ politicize ; adverb : ↑ politically ]
[ Date: 1500-1600 ; Language: Greek ; Origin: politika (plural), from politikos ; ⇨ ↑ politic ]
1 . [ U also + plural verb British English ] ideas and activities relating to gaining and using power in a country, city etc ⇨ political , politician :
a good understanding of politics in China
modern American politics
Politics have always interested Anita.
national/local etc politics
Brooke’s been involved in city politics since college.
The president should stand above party politics (=working only for your political ↑ party ) .
2 . [uncountable] the profession of being a politician:
Flynn retired from politics in 1986.
Her father’s trying to enter politics.
Smith went into politics in his early twenties.
3 . [plural] the activities of people who are concerned with gaining personal advantage within a group, organization etc:
I’m tired of dealing with all of the office politics.
Her art examines sexual politics (=how power is shared between men and women) .
politics of
the politics of race and class at American universities
4 . [plural] someone’s political beliefs and opinions:
I assume her politics must be fairly conservative.
5 . [uncountable] especially British English the study of political power and systems of government SYN political science :
Tom is studying for a degree in politics.
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COLLOCATIONS
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + politics
▪ national politics
Mark had always been keen to have a career in national politics.
▪ local politics
Ann is very active in local politics.
▪ international politics
The two superpowers that dominated international politics.
▪ world/global politics
There was much going on in world politics at the time.
▪ domestic politics (=within a country)
The war had a major impact on the country’s domestic politics.
▪ party politics (=trying to make your party successful)
He believes that party politics has no place in local government.
▪ power politics (=attempting to get power by using or threatening to use force)
The party argued that power politics would always lead to war.
■ phrases
▪ be involved in politics
After university, he became involved in local politics.
▪ take part in politics
Young people should be encouraged to take part in politics.
▪ be active in politics (=be involved in)
I was very active in politics before I retired.
▪ interfere/meddle in politics
He warned the army against interfering in politics.
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THESAURUS
▪ right-wing adjective a right-wing person or group wants low taxes, a strong army and police force, and the individual to be free from government interference as much as possible:
right-wing political parties
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Some of his supporters are very right-wing.
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right-wing policies on gun control
▪ left-wing adjective a left-wing person or group wants the government to make society more equal by increasing taxes for rich people, and taking control of important industries and services:
a left-wing newspaper
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His views are very left-wing.
▪ green adjective [usually before noun] supporting policies and principles which will protect the environment:
green politicians
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the Green Party
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The government is under pressure to improve its green credentials (=to seem more like it wants to protect the environment) .
▪ radical adjective supporting political ideas that will involve great change:
radical politicians
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a radical economic reform programme
▪ liberal adjective supporting political ideas that will allow people to have greater freedom:
They want the government to have a more liberal policy on drugs.
▪ moderate adjective having political opinions which are not extreme:
People generally become more moderate as they get older.
|
The bill is supported by moderate Republicans.
▪ extreme adjective having political opinions which are considered to be very unreasonable by many people:
His views on immigration are very extreme.
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an extreme right-wing organization