noun
politicking by wining and dining
Refers to the practice of building political relationships and influence through social events, meals, and drinking parties rather than formal policy debate.
あの政治家は宴会政治で有名だ。
That politician is famous for politicking through wining and dining.
宴会政治に頼らず、政策で勝負すべきだ。
We should compete on policy, not rely on banquet politics.
政治 is the general term for politics, while 宴会政治 specifically refers to the informal, social aspect of political maneuvering through entertainment.
Compound of 宴会 (banquet) and 政治 (politics), literally 'banquet politics'.