power politics: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal/Academic
Quick answer
What does “power politics” mean?
The use of power, especially military or economic, by states or groups to achieve political goals through coercion or force.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The use of power, especially military or economic, by states or groups to achieve political goals through coercion or force.
A political approach where entities rely on strength and influence to dominate or control situations, often associated with realism in international relations and contrasted with cooperative methods.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning; spelling in surrounding text may follow British or American conventions (e.g., 'centre' vs. 'center').
Connotations
Similarly negative in both variants, suggesting reliance on brute force over negotiation.
Frequency
Equally common in political science and international relations discourse in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “power politics” in a Sentence
Subject + verb + power politics (e.g., Nations practice power politics.)Power politics + verb + object (e.g., Power politics shapes international affairs.)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “power politics” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- They power-politic in their foreign policy to assert dominance.
American English
- The administration power-politicked to secure international agreements.
adverb
British English
- He acted power-politically to advance national interests.
American English
- She negotiated power-politically during the trade talks.
adjective
British English
- Their power-political manoeuvres were scrutinised by the press.
American English
- Their power-political maneuvers were criticized in the media.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used; may refer to aggressive corporate tactics or market dominance strategies.
Academic
Common in political science, especially in theories of realism and international relations.
Everyday
Used in news and discussions about politics, often to criticize aggressive policies.
Technical
Specific term in political theory denoting state behavior based on power calculations.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “power politics”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “power politics”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “power politics”
- Confusing with 'soft power', which uses attraction rather than coercion; overusing to describe all political strategies without the element of force.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, they are closely related; realpolitik is a German term often used synonymously with power politics, emphasizing practical and power-based approaches in politics.
Generally, power politics is viewed negatively as it prioritizes strength over morality, but some argue it can be necessary for national security in certain contexts.
Power politics relies on coercion and force, such as military or economic pressure, while soft power uses attraction and persuasion, like culture or values, to influence others.
Primarily in academic fields like political science and international relations, as well as in geopolitical analyses, historical studies, and news media covering state behavior.
The use of power, especially military or economic, by states or groups to achieve political goals through coercion or force.
Power politics is usually formal/academic in register.
Power politics: in British English it is pronounced /ˈpaʊə ˈpɒlɪtɪks/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈpaʊər ˈpɑːlətɪks/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “play power politics”
- “game of power politics”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'power' as strength and 'politics' as the game; it's playing the political game with brute strength.
Conceptual Metaphor
Politics is a contest of strength; international relations is a power game.
Practice
Quiz
What does 'power politics' primarily involve?