Final answer:
Retail politics refers to a campaign strategy used by politicians involving direct, grassroots engagement with voters and the utilization of marketing techniques to present their policies and personalities to the electorate.
Step-by-step explanation:
Retail politics can refer to a variety of practices within the political realm. While some might mistakenly equate it with the exchange of votes for campaign contributions, this definition is not accurate nor complete. One established meaning of retail politics, particularly in the United States, is the campaign strategy that involves politicians directly interacting with voters through grassroots tactics, such as door-to-door canvassing and small-scale community meetings. This hands-on approach enables politicians to engage personally with the electorate, addressing local concerns and building support on an individual basis.
Additionally, retail politics might include the adoption of marketing techniques to “sell” a candidate's image and policies to voters, similar to how retail outlets market products to consumers. This strategy is aimed at creating a palpable brand or persona for the candidate that voters can easily recognize and support. It does not, however, encompass corporate lobbying or campaigning around business regulation and trade policy, as those would be more accurately described as aspects of corporate lobbying and interest group politics.
To conclude, retail politics fundamentally involves direct engagement with voters to garner support at the local level, often using marketing strategies to appeal to the electorate's personal and community interests.