rā|älˌpōlē|tēk noun
( -s )
Etymology: German, from real objective, practical (from Late Latin realis real, actual) + politik politics, from French politique, from Late Latin politice, from Greek politikē, from feminine of politikos political — more at politic
: practical politics : politics based on practical and material factors, on political realities, or on the realities of national interest and power especially as distinguished from theoretical, ethical, or moralistic objectives : politics considered as an end in itself rather than as a means to objectives — compare machtpolitik , power politics