Politics-Policy | Commonly Confused Words
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Politics vs. Policy

Politics

/ˈpɒlətɪks/
Activities concerned with governing or managing public affairs and policies

Examples:

But she was interested in politics.'The book provides a fresh take on global politics.Local politics can be quite unpredictable at times.

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

Policy

/ˈpɒləsi/
A course of action or rule adopted by a government, party, business, or individual.

Examples:

Honesty is the best policy."Honesty is the best policy," is it?The policy was implemented to improve public health.

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

Ways to tell them apart:

etymology
  • Politics is generally about processes and systems of governance, while policy refers to a specific plan of action or decision adopted by an organization.
  • Remember that politics often implies the activities associated with governance or political parties, whereas policy is frequently related to rules or guidelines.
  • If you are talking about a specific rule or guideline, you are probably referring to a policy. When speaking about political activities or behavior, it’s likely politics.
  • Politics can refer to the dynamics within political entities, such as debates or power struggles; policy refers to principles that guide decision-making.
  • Think of politics as involving people and groups, while policy is about the actual content or substance of laws and regulations.
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