General synonyms:
* Government
* Governance
* Public affairs
* Statecraft
* Policy
* Power
* Authority
Informal synonyms:
* The game
* The system
* The machine
* The way things are done
More specific synonyms:
* Diplomacy: When referring to international relations.
* Electoral politics: When focusing on elections and campaigning.
* Party politics: When emphasizing political parties and their activities.
* Ideology: When focusing on political beliefs and systems.
* Political science: When referring to the academic study of politics.
It's important to choose the best synonym based on the specific context and your intended meaning.