palace politics

Noun

palace politics (uncountable)

1. (idiomatic) The relationships and interactions of top-level officials, advisors and other powerbrokers within a government, especially as involving internal rivalry and intrigue.
   • [T]he palace at Delhi was known to have been a focus of discontent and intrigue for some time previous to the Revolt. The mode in which the Marquis of Dalhousie treated these matters, in his minute of 1856, has already been adverted to; but it may be well to repeat his words here, to shew the exact...1859, George Dodd, The history of the Indian revolt and of the expeditions to Persia, China, and Japan, 1856-7-8, London: W. and R. Chambers, pages 67–68
   • Some Janizaries predicted that Justice Douglas would eventually be either Secretary of State or Chairman of the Defense Commission. He had given the President valiant aid in the campaign, in ideas and memoranda for the six speeches, and was still a chief figure in the palace politics of the inner...1940 November 11, “The Election: The Next Administration”, in Time