释义 |
pol·i·tics \ˈpäləˌtiks\ noun plural but singular or plural in construction Etymology: probably modification (influenced by -ics) of Greek politika, from neuter plural of politikos political — more at politic 1. a. : the art or science of government : a science dealing with the regulation and control of men living in society : a science concerned with the organization, direction, and administration of political units (as nations or states) in both internal and external affairs : the art of adjusting and ordering relationships between individuals and groups in a political community b. (1) : the art or science concerned with guiding or influencing governmental policy (2) : the art or science concerned with winning and holding control over a government (as by selection of governmental personnel) — compare party politics 2. : a branch of ethics concerned with the state or social organism as a whole rather than the individual person : a division of moral philosophy dealing with the ethical relations and duties of governments or other social organizations : public or social ethics 3. : political actions, practices, or policies < protested against the politics of the Vichy government — Current Biography > < the same politics were followed by his successors — New Republic > < it was not good politics … to present this menacing figure as an incompetent fool — Gilbert Seldes > 4. a. (1) : political affairs or business; specifically : competition between competing interest groups or individuals for power and leadership (2) : activities concerned with governing or with influencing or winning and holding control of a government < flinch at the thought of … participation in partisan politics — John Lodge > < a university in which politics had no place — Marjory S. Douglas > < trying to understand recent French politics — Julian Towster > (3) : activities concerned with achieving control, advancement, or some other goal in a nongovernmental group (as a club or office) b. : political life especially as a principal activity or profession < politics is … the noblest career that a man can choose — J.L.McConaughty > < entered politics > c. : political activities characterized by artful and often dishonest practices especially in securing the success of political parties or candidates < dirty ward politics > < in the underworld of politics — H.R.Penniman > 5. : conduct of or policy in private affairs < reading a lecture on … matrimonial politics — Henry Fielding > 6. : the political principles, convictions, opinions, or sympathies of a person < his politics was … reactionary enough — Lionel Trilling > < changed his politics for advancement's sake — W.B.Yeats > < a woman's politics are the man she loves — Owen Rhoscomyl > 7. : the total complex or interacting and usually conflicting relations between men living in society: a. : the relations between men concerned with governing or with influencing or winning and holding control over a government b. : the relations between leaders and nonleaders in any social grouping (as a political community, church, club, or trade union) 8. a. : political science b. : the branch of political science dealing with the activities of political parties and pressure groups |