Why It Is Important To Study Politics
Politics is a fascinating subject to study but one that can generate intense debate. It can be defined as the activities associated with government and the making of policies, and is often the focus of many different disciplines in universities such as international relations, sociology and philosophy.
The word ‘politics’ has a negative connotation and, for example, the economist Milton Friedman’s remark that ‘if you leave politics to experts, in five years there will be a shortage of sand in the Sahara Desert’ can seem to sum up a lot of people’s feeling about politicians and their activities. The ineptitude of some politicians and the petty and occasionally violent brawls that occur in parliaments across the world can contribute to this view, as can political fraud, nepotism and corruption.
In fact, surveys show that most people believe that politicians are primarily concerned with getting their own’stuff’ done and that they do not act in the interests of the wider public. This view is supported by the evidence that most voters are sceptical of claims made by politicians and think that the media exaggerates or misreports political stories.
Another key aspect of politics is the way in which the distribution of material resources is settled through political means. In the modern world, this tends to take the form of a contest between two political parties based on traditional left-right ideological cleavages. But this view of politics is being challenged by a growing recognition that politics is as much about ideas and narratives as it is about the distribution of resources.
This is evident in the growth of ‘post-ideological’ contestation over matters like lifestyle and identity, where it can be difficult to distinguish between ‘left’ and ‘right’ positions. It is also apparent in the rise of populism and xenophobia, where politics becomes less about material interests and more about values and beliefs.
Despite these challenges, there are a number of reasons why it is important to understand how politics works. People can learn to be more informed and make better decisions about the issues they care about, and they can gain a greater appreciation of the complex problems that face society. They can also become more active citizens, contributing to the democratic process and trying to improve their community through political participation.
The UK has a parliamentary system with a House of Commons and a House of Lords. Individuals who want to enter government are able to join political parties, which put forward their policies and argue for them at election time. These parties can be small, but they will have some members in both chambers and will share the same goals and ambitions. The party will then work with other parties to try to get their policies passed into law and to govern the country. There are a number of departments within the UK that are responsible for different areas of policy, including the Ministry of Defence and the Department for Work and Pensions.
Politics is a fascinating subject to study but one that can generate intense debate. It can be defined as the activities associated with government and the making of policies, and is often the focus of many different disciplines in universities such as international relations, sociology and philosophy. The word ‘politics’ has a negative connotation and, for example, the economist Milton Friedman’s remark that ‘if you leave politics to experts, in five years there will be a shortage of sand in the Sahara Desert’ can seem to sum up a lot of people’s feeling about politicians and their activities. The ineptitude of some politicians and the petty and occasionally violent brawls that occur in parliaments across the world can contribute to this view, as can political fraud, nepotism and corruption. In fact, surveys show that most people believe that politicians are primarily concerned with getting their own’stuff’ done and that they do not act in the interests of the wider public. This view is supported by the evidence that most voters are sceptical of claims made by politicians and think that the media exaggerates or misreports political stories. Another key aspect of politics is the way in which the distribution of material resources is settled through political means. In the modern world, this tends to take the form of a contest between two political parties based on traditional left-right ideological cleavages. But this view of politics is being challenged by a growing recognition that politics is as much about ideas and narratives as it is about the distribution of resources. This is evident in the growth of ‘post-ideological’ contestation over matters like lifestyle and identity, where it can be difficult to distinguish between ‘left’ and ‘right’ positions. It is also apparent in the rise of populism and xenophobia, where politics becomes less about material interests and more about values and beliefs. Despite these challenges, there are a number of reasons why it is important to understand how politics works. People can learn to be more informed and make better decisions about the issues they care about, and they can gain a greater appreciation of the complex problems that face society. They can also become more active citizens, contributing to the democratic process and trying to improve their community through political participation. The UK has a parliamentary system with a House of Commons and a House of Lords. Individuals who want to enter government are able to join political parties, which put forward their policies and argue for them at election time. These parties can be small, but they will have some members in both chambers and will share the same goals and ambitions. The party will then work with other parties to try to get their policies passed into law and to govern the country. There are a number of departments within the UK that are responsible for different areas of policy, including the Ministry of Defence and the Department for Work and Pensions.