The Importance of Being Politically Skilled
Politics is about making agreements so people can live together in groups such as tribes, cities or countries. Those who spend a lot of time doing politics are often called politicians. Politics also involves deciding how much power a group should have and how it should be used. It can be a form of power struggle, with those with the most resources and persistence having an advantage over others. However, it can also be a way of manoeuvring to assert genuinely shared interests. In either case, being skilled at politics requires a deep understanding of the rules that govern the political arena.
Traditionally, politics was seen as being all about the distribution of material goods. This might include government programs, societal resources or access to rights and privileges. But this view of politics is becoming less and less valid. It is arguably being overtaken by more contestation around issues that cannot be neatly classified as left or right, such as lifestyle and values. Moreover, the fact that politics is now so pervasive that it touches upon all aspects of human life means that its effects are broader than ever.
The study of politics is often referred to as political science, public affairs, government or the discipline of politics. It has been studied since ancient times, with Plato and Aristotle being two of its most influential proponents. Modern political science focuses on the behaviour of individuals in groups and organisations, as well as how these groups interact with one another and their environments. The political science curriculum also covers topics such as government, law and economics.
In contemporary society, politics encompasses a large range of activities that take place on a local, national and international level. At a local level, it may involve the running of towns and cities, as well as community organisations and businesses. At a national level, it is about the running of governments. These are generally governed by constitutions and are typically structured into the executive, legislature and judiciary in order to provide checks and balances on the use of state power.
At the global level, politics is about international relations between sovereign states and their interaction with each other through intergovernmental organisations such as the League of Nations and the United Nations. It is also about pursuing regional integration through organisations such as the African Union and ASEAN.
Being politically skilled means knowing how to navigate the political arena, whether it be on an informal basis such as in a social circle or an organisation, or at the formal institutional level such as in a company, university or country. It involves having a good understanding of the rules that govern the political arena, as well as being aware of what is going on in that environment. In addition, it involves being able to communicate effectively with stakeholders, being truthful and trustworthy. Stakeholders are unlikely to open themselves up to being influenced by someone they feel is not being genuine.
Politics is about making agreements so people can live together in groups such as tribes, cities or countries. Those who spend a lot of time doing politics are often called politicians. Politics also involves deciding how much power a group should have and how it should be used. It can be a form of power struggle, with those with the most resources and persistence having an advantage over others. However, it can also be a way of manoeuvring to assert genuinely shared interests. In either case, being skilled at politics requires a deep understanding of the rules that govern the political arena. Traditionally, politics was seen as being all about the distribution of material goods. This might include government programs, societal resources or access to rights and privileges. But this view of politics is becoming less and less valid. It is arguably being overtaken by more contestation around issues that cannot be neatly classified as left or right, such as lifestyle and values. Moreover, the fact that politics is now so pervasive that it touches upon all aspects of human life means that its effects are broader than ever. The study of politics is often referred to as political science, public affairs, government or the discipline of politics. It has been studied since ancient times, with Plato and Aristotle being two of its most influential proponents. Modern political science focuses on the behaviour of individuals in groups and organisations, as well as how these groups interact with one another and their environments. The political science curriculum also covers topics such as government, law and economics. In contemporary society, politics encompasses a large range of activities that take place on a local, national and international level. At a local level, it may involve the running of towns and cities, as well as community organisations and businesses. At a national level, it is about the running of governments. These are generally governed by constitutions and are typically structured into the executive, legislature and judiciary in order to provide checks and balances on the use of state power. At the global level, politics is about international relations between sovereign states and their interaction with each other through intergovernmental organisations such as the League of Nations and the United Nations. It is also about pursuing regional integration through organisations such as the African Union and ASEAN. Being politically skilled means knowing how to navigate the political arena, whether it be on an informal basis such as in a social circle or an organisation, or at the formal institutional level such as in a company, university or country. It involves having a good understanding of the rules that govern the political arena, as well as being aware of what is going on in that environment. In addition, it involves being able to communicate effectively with stakeholders, being truthful and trustworthy. Stakeholders are unlikely to open themselves up to being influenced by someone they feel is not being genuine.