power politics

noun

, (used with a singular or plural verb)

1. political action characterized by the exercise or pursuit of power as a means of coercion.
2. international diplomacy based on the use or threatened use of military or economic power.

power politics

noun

1. functioning as singular (in international affairs) the threat or use of force as an instrument of national policy

Word History and Origins

Origin of power politics¹

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

This downward spiral involving local power politics was obvious to the Americans in the valley.

From The Daily Beast

This is power politics, I knew, and push would eventually and inevitably come to shove.

From The Daily Beast

Since the end of World War II, Germans have absconded from the very idea of power politics.

From The Daily Beast

For some years after that, American relations with Israeli governments were dominated by power politics.

From The Daily Beast

The ICC is primarily a legal institution, but it is not sealed off to the dynamics of international power politics.

From The Daily Beast

All the international rivalries, the power-politics, the eternal pressures and constant crises.

From Project Gutenberg

I felt it was purely statesmanship, statecraft, power politics.

From Project Gutenberg

Their trans-ocean squabbles and power politics seemed to have settled into a pattern of a war or two per generation.

From Project Gutenberg

Perfectionism, no less than isolationism or imperialism or power politics, may obstruct the paths to international peace.

From Project Gutenberg