The word "politicise" is spelled with two Cs and one S. Its IPA phonetic transcription is pəˈlɪtɪsaɪz. The first syllable starts with a weak stress, followed by a short "uh" sound, then stress goes to the second syllable, which contains a short "ih" sound, a "t" sound, a long "ee" sound, and a "z" sound. The final syllable has a weak stress, an "ih" sound, and a "z" sound. "Politicise" means to make something political, which can have both positive and negative connotations depending on the context.
Politicise is a verb that refers to the act of making something or bringing it into the sphere of politics, with the intention of gaining support or furthering specific political agendas. When someone politicises an issue, they strategically frame, present, or manipulate it in such a way that aligns with their political beliefs or objectives. This process often involves highlighting political implications or consequences, emphasizing partisan viewpoints, or exploiting the issue for political gain.
By politicising a matter, individuals or groups may aim to shape public opinion, rally support, or create divisions based on political affiliations. This can be done through various means, such as public speeches, media campaigns, social media posts, or the involvement of political organizations. The act of politicising may involve exaggeration, distortion, or selective presentation of information to advance a particular narrative or political agenda.
The term often carries a negative connotation, as it implies putting political interests ahead of the greater good or objective analysis. Critics argue that politicising issues can hinder consensus-building, compromise, and rational decision-making, as it tends to polarise public opinion and hinder constructive dialogue.
Overall, politicising refers to the process of introducing politics into a topic or issue to shape public perception, advance specific political objectives, or mobilise support.
The word "politicise" has its origins in the combination of two components: "politic" and the suffix "-ize".
The term "politic" comes from the Latin word "politicus", which was derived from the Greek word "politikos". In both Latin and Greek, the term originally referred to matters related to the state or government. Over time, the meaning of "politic" broadened to encompass activities and strategies involved in obtaining or holding power.
The suffix "-ize" is derived from the Greek suffix "-izein", which is used to create verbs from nouns or adjectives. It indicates the process of making, causing, or turning into something.
Therefore, "politicise" is formed by combining "politic" with the "-ize" suffix, signifying the act of making something political or bringing political considerations into a particular issue or context.