Meaning

• A principle of behaviour, conduct etc. thought to be desirable or necessary, especially as formally expressed by a government or other authoritative body.

  "The Communist Party has a policy of returning power to the workers."

• Wise or advantageous conduct; prudence, formerly also with connotations of craftiness.

• Specifically, political shrewdness or (formerly) cunning; statecraft.

• (now chiefly in the plural) The grounds of a large country house.

• The art of governance; political science.

• A state; a polity.

• A set political system; civil administration.

• A trick; a stratagem.

• Motive; object; inducement.

Meaning

• To regulate by laws; to reduce to order.