party politics

American  

noun

(usually used with a singular verb)

1. politics based on strict adherence to the policies and principles of a political party regardless of the public interest; partisan loyalism.

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party politics British  

plural noun

1. politics conducted through, by, or for parties, as opposed to other interests or the public good

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Etymology

Origin of party politics

First recorded in 1765–75

Example Sentences

Defeat "will pose enormous problems for the party," politics expert Laura McAllister of Cardiff University told AFP.

From Barron's • May 4, 2026

A fluent Japanese speaker, she was known as a local campaigner before she became involved in party politics.

From BBC • Oct. 28, 2025

Vance shrugged off the chats, characterizing them as idle conversations by college students—despite Politico’s reporting that “many of the chat members already work inside government or party politics, and one serves as a state senator.”

From Slate • Oct. 15, 2025

Speaking to BBC Scotland's Scotcast earlier this year, Ms Black said she was "99.9%" sure that she would not try and become an MSP at Holyrood, insisting that she was "done with party politics".

From BBC • Jul. 25, 2025

The connexion of the movement with general party politics must be followed in the newspapers.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 2, Slice 2 "Anjar" to "Apollo" by Various