The Definition of Politics
Politics is the art of societal decision making and the distribution of power within a society. It permeates every aspect of human life and no individual or group is exempt from its influence. It is essential for societal progress and development. It is about the way people try to influence others to get what they want – be it more money or less tax.
The word politics is derived from the Latin phrase politica, meaning “the business of the city.” In the early days of human civilization, cities became centralized, where leaders took charge and made decisions for their entire population. From there, we have evolved to modern nation states, which are the largest political units. These include a central government, which governs people and administration of things through public services, laws and security. Politics also takes place at other levels, from local governments to companies and clubs.
There are many definitions of politics, but a common one is that it involves the power struggle to assert rival interests. This is based on the idea that the world is a place of scarcity, and that there will always be competing needs for scarce resources. In the case of humans, these competing needs can involve anything from food to housing to jobs. Politics is the process of manoeuvring to get what you want, and it can involve a variety of tactics, including propaganda, bribery, lobbying, direct and indirect influence, and even warfare.
It is important to understand the role of politics in order to live a fulfilling and happy life. You should stay updated on the latest developments in your country, so that you can be sure you are not breaking any laws unknowingly. If you work in an organization, you should know that politics is a part of the daily routine and it can affect your job performance and career. You should be aware of the politics of your company, so you can avoid misunderstandings and covert political maneuvers.
The way you define politics depends on what interests you most. Some people have a narrow view, which considers only those activities and actors that are involved with the state. This can be expanded to include a much wider range of people and places, from the more abstract or metaphorical space of the international sphere, to concrete locations such as the Palace of Westminster in London or United Nations headquarters in New York. Other scholars have a broader view, which includes not only those activities and actors that concern the state, but all forms of power exercised at any level of society. This broader definition of politics can include less observable ways of exercising power, such as setting agendas – whether parliamentary agendas that determine who gets to speak and for how long or news agendas that determine what issues will be highlighted in the evening news. This broader definition of politics also allows for the inclusion of some activities and actors that are often considered to be outside of politics, such as animal rights movements or even the choice not to consume meat.
Politics is the art of societal decision making and the distribution of power within a society. It permeates every aspect of human life and no individual or group is exempt from its influence. It is essential for societal progress and development. It is about the way people try to influence others to get what they want – be it more money or less tax. The word politics is derived from the Latin phrase politica, meaning “the business of the city.” In the early days of human civilization, cities became centralized, where leaders took charge and made decisions for their entire population. From there, we have evolved to modern nation states, which are the largest political units. These include a central government, which governs people and administration of things through public services, laws and security. Politics also takes place at other levels, from local governments to companies and clubs. There are many definitions of politics, but a common one is that it involves the power struggle to assert rival interests. This is based on the idea that the world is a place of scarcity, and that there will always be competing needs for scarce resources. In the case of humans, these competing needs can involve anything from food to housing to jobs. Politics is the process of manoeuvring to get what you want, and it can involve a variety of tactics, including propaganda, bribery, lobbying, direct and indirect influence, and even warfare. It is important to understand the role of politics in order to live a fulfilling and happy life. You should stay updated on the latest developments in your country, so that you can be sure you are not breaking any laws unknowingly. If you work in an organization, you should know that politics is a part of the daily routine and it can affect your job performance and career. You should be aware of the politics of your company, so you can avoid misunderstandings and covert political maneuvers. The way you define politics depends on what interests you most. Some people have a narrow view, which considers only those activities and actors that are involved with the state. This can be expanded to include a much wider range of people and places, from the more abstract or metaphorical space of the international sphere, to concrete locations such as the Palace of Westminster in London or United Nations headquarters in New York. Other scholars have a broader view, which includes not only those activities and actors that concern the state, but all forms of power exercised at any level of society. This broader definition of politics can include less observable ways of exercising power, such as setting agendas – whether parliamentary agendas that determine who gets to speak and for how long or news agendas that determine what issues will be highlighted in the evening news. This broader definition of politics also allows for the inclusion of some activities and actors that are often considered to be outside of politics, such as animal rights movements or even the choice not to consume meat.