Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Polity \Pol"i*ty\, n.; pl. {Polities}. [L. politia, Gr. ?: cf.
   F. politie. See 1st {Policy}, {Police}.]
   1. The form or constitution of the civil government of a
      nation or state; the framework or organization by which
      the various departments of government are combined into a
      systematic whole. --Blackstone. Hooker.

   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.

   Syn: Policy.

   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.

Source : WordNet®

polity
     n 1: the form of government of a social organization [syn: {civil
          order}]
     2: a politically organized unit
     3: shrewd or crafty management of public affairs; "we was
        innocent of stratagems and polity"