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Politicizing Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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politicizing

[ˈpɒlɪtɪsaɪzɪŋ ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

social issues

To politicize means to make something political in nature or to attribute political significance to it. This often involves framing issues such as social concerns, economic conditions, or public policies in a way that highlights their political implications. Politicizing can also imply promoting particular political agendas or viewpoints in the discussion of these issues. It is commonly invoked when discussing how social matters are influenced by political debates and ideologies, potentially leading to polarization.

Synonyms

mobilizing, partisanizing, political framing.

Examples of usage

  • The debate on climate change has been widely politicized.
  • Activists accused the government of politicizing the tragedy for electoral gains.
  • The media's coverage of the event seemed aimed at politicizing the issue further.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Culture

  • In modern society, many social issues like climate change or education are often politicized to gain public attention.
  • Activists often engage in politicizing to draw support for causes that might not initially seem political, like health and safety.
  • The politicization of cultural symbols can affect how communities engage and interact with each other.

Communication

  • Politicizing a topic can change the language used and influence public perception dramatically.
  • Media plays a crucial role in politicizing issues by framing them in a way that highlights their political implications.
  • Public discussions around events like protests or social movements often become politicized depending on the perspectives shared.

Social Science

  • Political scientists study how and why certain issues become politicized as part of understanding societal change.
  • The process of politicizing can lead to division in communities, as people may take sides based on their political beliefs.
  • Understanding the process of politicization helps in evaluating the effectiveness of advocacy and policy-making.

Psychology

  • People may react defensively when an issue they care about becomes politicized, reflecting their identity and values.
  • The politicization of emotions, like fear or hope, can mobilize individuals towards political action.
  • Cognitive biases can affect how individuals perceive politicized topics, often leading to polarization in opinions.

Origin of 'politicizing'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'politicizing' is derived from 'politic', which comes from the Greek word 'politikos', meaning 'of citizens'.
  • It began to be used in English around the early 20th century, reflecting the growing importance of politics in daily life.
  • The suffix '-izing' suggests the action of making something political, indicating a shift of focus in discussions or actions.

The term 'politicizing' originates from the root word 'politic', which has its etymology traced back to the Greek word 'politikos', meaning 'of, for, or relating to citizens'. This term evolved through the Latin 'politicus', before entering the English language. The verb form began to appear in English during the late 1800s, gaining traction in political discourse as societies became increasingly aware of the influences of politics on various facets of life. Over the years, 'politicizing' has taken on a sometimes negative connotation, often suggesting an overreach of political relevance or an attempt to leverage issues for political gain.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #36,153, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.