The word "apparatus" is commonly used in both scientific and political contexts. In scientific fields, it refers to the physical tools and devices necessary for conducting experiments or carrying out specific tasks, such as laboratory instruments. In the realm of politics, it refers to the system or structure through which power is administered, often implying bureaucracy or the administrative machinery of a government.
In everyday usage, "apparatus" is often synonymous with equipment, machinery, or devices, though its more abstract usage in political discourse reflects the complex systems that exist to support and enforce policies.