I'm a an employee in the UK with almost 3 years experience in the software sector.

I think I'm pretty naive at office politics and at building certain type of office relationship. I believe there must be politics somewhere in my department but I struggle to recognize it. This makes hard for me to understand what other are thinking.
How can I improve my political skills? How do I recognize and defend against it? I am sure I am missing an important part of my personal development not being aware of the surrounding. 

Thank you

Also see this questions [Is there a way to NOT participate in office politics and still be successful?](https://workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/52226/is-there-a-way-to-not-participate-in-office-politics-and-still-be-successful)