2. Hence: The form or constitution by which any institution
is organized; the recognized principles which lie at the
foundation of any human institution.
Nor is possible that any form of polity, much less
polity ecclesiastical, should be good, unless God
himself be author of it. --Hooker.
3. Policy; art; management. [Obs.] --B. Jonson.
Usage: {Polity}, {Policy}. These two words were originally
the same. Polity is now confined to the structure of a
government; as, civil or ecclesiastical polity; while
policy is applied to the scheme of management of
public affairs with reference to some aim or result;
as, foreign or domestic policy. Policy has the further
sense of skillful or cunning management.