What is office politics and when to apply them?

Politics,now a days, has become so prominent that it has encompassed all spheres of human life.It has entered our families,working places, offices etc.In offices in particular,there are groups of workers who unitedly carry out their agenda to get it implemented through tricks and tips with management.They indulge in all sorts of political game plans to serve their purpose.Office politics also give rise to rival groups on the lines of national politics.Effectiveness of office politics depends upon how prudent and judicious the management is,in handling political situations in the office.If the management is unable to handle the situation, properly,the work suffers and the objectives of the enterprise fuffers.