n.pl.
1. (treated as sing. or pl.) a the art and science of government. b public life and affairs as involving authority and government.
2 (usu. treated as pl.) a a particular set of ideas, principles, or commitments in politics (what are their politics?). b activities concerned with the acquisition or exercise of authority or government. c an organizational process or principle affecting authority, status, etc. (the politics of the decision).