The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Politics \Pol"i*tics\, n. [Cf. F. politique, Gr. ? (sc.?). See
   Politic.]
   1. The science of government; that part of ethics which has
      to do with the regulation and government of a nation or
      state, the preservation of its safety, peace, and
      prosperity, the defense of its existence and rights
      against foreign control or conquest, the augmentation of
      its strength and resources, and the protection of its
      citizens in their rights, with the preservation and
      improvement of their morals.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. The management of a political party; the conduct and
      contests of parties with reference to political measures
      or the administration of public affairs; the advancement
      of candidates to office; in a bad sense, artful or
      dishonest management to secure the success of political
      candidates or parties; political trickery.
      [1913 Webster]

            When we say that two men are talking politics, we
            often mean that they are wrangling about some mere
            party question.                       --F. W.
                                                  Robertson.
      [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

politics
    n 1: social relations involving intrigue to gain authority or
         power; "office politics is often counterproductive" [syn:
         politics, political relation]
    2: the study of government of states and other political units
       [syn: politics, political science, government]
    3: the profession devoted to governing and to political affairs
    4: the opinion you hold with respect to political questions
       [syn: politics, political sympathies]
    5: the activities and affairs involved in managing a state or a
       government; "unemployment dominated the politics of the
       inter-war years"; "government agencies multiplied beyond the
       control of representative politics"

Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0:

23 Moby Thesaurus words for "politics":
   Geopolitik, Machiavellianism, Machiavellism, civics, diplomacy,
   diplomatics, geopolitics, government, international relations,
   jobbery, jobbing, machination, manipulation, poli-sci,
   political behavior, political economy, political geography,
   political philosophy, political science, political theory,
   public administration, statecraft, statesmanship



The Devil's Dictionary (1881-1906):

POLITICS, n.  A strife of interests masquerading as a contest of
principles.  The conduct of public affairs for private advantage.