bolt - a sudden abandonment (as from a political party)

politics - the profession devoted to governing and to political affairs

governing, government activity, governance, government - the act of governing; exercising authority; "regulations for the governing of state prisons"; "he had considerable experience of government"

mandate - the commission that is given to a government and its policies through an electoral victory

patronage - (politics) granting favors or giving contracts or making appointments to office in return for political support

demonstration, manifestation - a public display of group feelings (usually of a political nature); "there were violent demonstrations against the war"

cabal, conspiracy - a plot to carry out some harmful or illegal act (especially a political plot)

social science - the branch of science that studies society and the relationships of individual within a society

geopolitics - the study of the effects of economic geography on the powers of the state

practical politics, realpolitik - politics based on practical rather than moral or ideological considerations

catechism - a series of question put to an individual (such as a political candidate) to elicit their views

nominating address, nominating speech, nomination - an address (usually at a political convention) proposing the name of a candidate to run for election; "the nomination was brief and to the point"

combination - an alliance of people or corporations or countries for a special purpose (formerly to achieve some antisocial end but now for general political or economic purposes)

Soviets - the government of the Soviet Union; "the Soviets said they wanted to increase trade with Europe"

civilization, civilisation - a society in an advanced state of social development (e.g., with complex legal and political and religious organizations); "the people slowly progressed from barbarism to civilization"

side - one of two or more contesting groups; "the Confederate side was prepared to attack"

assassin, assassinator, bravo - a murderer (especially one who kills a prominent political figure) who kills by a treacherous surprise attack and often is hired to do the deed; "his assassins were hunted down like animals"; "assassinators of kings and emperors"

muckraker, mudslinger - one who spreads real or alleged scandal about another (usually for political advantage)

fencesitter, independent, mugwump - a neutral or uncommitted person (especially in politics)

regular - a dependable follower (especially in party politics); "he is one of the party regulars"

coattails effect - (politics) the consequence of one popular candidate in an election drawing votes for other members of the same party; "he counted on the coattails effect to win him the election"

war chest - a fund accumulated to finance a war (or a political campaign)

Sturm und Drang, upheaval, turbulence - a state of violent disturbance and disorder (as in politics or social conditions generally); "the industrial revolution was a period of great turbulence"