Why Study Politics at A-Level?
Politics is a complex topic that affects every aspect of our lives. It involves the distribution and control of power in society and equips certain groups of people to shape policies, cultures and customs. It is therefore important to understand how politics works, in order to have a well-informed opinion and to be able to vote. Studying Politics at A-level can help to develop your understanding of the world around you, as well as improving your skills in research and writing.
Political philosophy has a long history, with ideas dating back to the Greek philosophers Plato and Aristotle. Niccolo Machiavelli wrote, in his 1532 book The Prince, that the most fundamental purpose of politics is to acquire and maintain power. Thomas Hobbes then built on this idea in 1651, with his work Leviathan. This suggested that humans were naturally inclined to give up some of their rights in exchange for protection by the government. John Stuart Mill then developed a liberal theory of politics in the 1800s, based on the idea that government should protect individual rights.
In modern nations, politicians fight for the opportunity to represent the interests of their country or state. Usually, they compete for positions within political parties which they believe share their ideals. The members of these political parties typically agree on a number of issues, but may disagree with each other on others. Politicians then strive to win an election and take up their position in the government, with the aim of following through on their policies.
Often, the most successful politicians are those who are able to make compromises and find solutions that satisfy the majority of the people. This can be difficult to achieve, especially when competing interest groups are entrenched in their positions. Historically, there have been a variety of methods to try and resolve these conflicts, from negotiation to using internal and external force to achieve political ends.
As well as competing for power, politicians also need to ensure that the government has sufficient resources. This can involve negotiating with other states, forming trade agreements and establishing international bodies. The development of the United Nations, as an example, reflects this process of political globalization.
Many people think of office politics as being a form of scheming and manipulation, but there are many benefits to having high levels of political skill. Studies have shown that these skills can improve job performance, reduce stress and increase chances of promotion.
Politics is a complex and essential subject that should be considered by everyone, regardless of their own political views. Decisions made by the government can have a huge impact on our daily lives, and it is important to be informed and able to make decisions for ourselves. Sometimes, things that seem like good choices at the time can turn out to be devastating in the long run. This is why it is so important to participate in the democratic process by voting in elections, and by taking part in other forms of political participation such as petitioning or lobbying.
Politics is a complex topic that affects every aspect of our lives. It involves the distribution and control of power in society and equips certain groups of people to shape policies, cultures and customs. It is therefore important to understand how politics works, in order to have a well-informed opinion and to be able to vote. Studying Politics at A-level can help to develop your understanding of the world around you, as well as improving your skills in research and writing. Political philosophy has a long history, with ideas dating back to the Greek philosophers Plato and Aristotle. Niccolo Machiavelli wrote, in his 1532 book The Prince, that the most fundamental purpose of politics is to acquire and maintain power. Thomas Hobbes then built on this idea in 1651, with his work Leviathan. This suggested that humans were naturally inclined to give up some of their rights in exchange for protection by the government. John Stuart Mill then developed a liberal theory of politics in the 1800s, based on the idea that government should protect individual rights. In modern nations, politicians fight for the opportunity to represent the interests of their country or state. Usually, they compete for positions within political parties which they believe share their ideals. The members of these political parties typically agree on a number of issues, but may disagree with each other on others. Politicians then strive to win an election and take up their position in the government, with the aim of following through on their policies. Often, the most successful politicians are those who are able to make compromises and find solutions that satisfy the majority of the people. This can be difficult to achieve, especially when competing interest groups are entrenched in their positions. Historically, there have been a variety of methods to try and resolve these conflicts, from negotiation to using internal and external force to achieve political ends. As well as competing for power, politicians also need to ensure that the government has sufficient resources. This can involve negotiating with other states, forming trade agreements and establishing international bodies. The development of the United Nations, as an example, reflects this process of political globalization. Many people think of office politics as being a form of scheming and manipulation, but there are many benefits to having high levels of political skill. Studies have shown that these skills can improve job performance, reduce stress and increase chances of promotion. Politics is a complex and essential subject that should be considered by everyone, regardless of their own political views. Decisions made by the government can have a huge impact on our daily lives, and it is important to be informed and able to make decisions for ourselves. Sometimes, things that seem like good choices at the time can turn out to be devastating in the long run. This is why it is so important to participate in the democratic process by voting in elections, and by taking part in other forms of political participation such as petitioning or lobbying.