POLITICIANS, POLITICS AND POLICIES

With Spanish politics going through such dramatic changes, it might be useful to cover a few vocabulary issues connected with this area. When I speak with Spanish people about politics they tend to get three different words mixed up. Here they are:

1. Politicians
   
2. Politics
   
3. Policies
   
   

They all sound quite similar so in a way it is understandable that they are a bit confusing. Here are the meanings:

1. “Politicians” are the people who work in the parliament and are elected representatives. They are the people like Rajoy and Sanchez.
   
2. “Politics” is the subject and profession that Rajoy and Sanchez are involved with.
   
3. “Policies” are the proposals that the politicians put forward and are often included in the party manifesto.
   
   

I hope that helps you to speak about the “politicians” in Spain, the type of “politics” they adhere to and the “policies” they are proposing!