The Basics of Politics
Politics is a term that elicits strong emotions and opinions from its critics and champions. For the former, it conjures up images of scheming, manipulation and crooked behaviour; for the latter, it is an important tool in getting things done in the workplace. The word itself is quite old and dates back to the 1500s, when Niccolo Machiavelli wrote his book on political life, in which he argued that politics was all about gaining and keeping power. Today, politics is still a fascinating area of study for scholars and the public alike.
The modern world is divided into 190-plus countries, each with its own government that claims sovereignty over a specific territory and seeks to compel obedience from citizens to its will. Governments have three basic functions: they govern, legislate and protect. The modern political system usually consists of three distinct branches: the executive branch, which is the president; the legislative branch, composed of a bicameral legislature called the House of Representatives and Senate; and the judicial branch, which is made up of the Supreme Court and lower federal courts.
A nation’s political systems may differ, but all of them are characterized by their struggle to find solutions to problems. In the United States, for example, politicians compete for voters by seeking to solve complex social problems and competing for resources. This struggle is often characterized by political corruption, ideological extremism and entrenched interests.
To address these problems, most governments are governed by a mix of constitutional and democratic procedures. In the United States, for example, elections are held every four years to elect a president and the bicameral legislature of the Congress. The Congressional leadership is led by the speaker of the House of Representatives and the majority leader of the Senate. The executive branch is headed by the president, who carries out many of the duties and responsibilities of the state’s chief executive. The judicial branch of the United States consists of the Supreme Court and lower federal courts, which exercise judicial review over laws passed by Congress.
In addition, most countries have one or more political parties. Third-party candidates and independent political organizations sometimes surface, but they generally have difficulty achieving significant influence in the national political arena. In the United States, for example, new political parties have rarely risen to major-party status since the 1850s. In the rare instances when a new party achieves this status, it is typically due to a single issue that polarizes the country.
Many people with a strong interest in politics go on to study political science or a related field at university. Some then pursue careers in government or non-governmental organisations. Others have a more entrepreneurial spirit and work for themselves, running their own businesses or lobbying firms. Whether in the private or public sector, a good understanding of the art of politics is essential for success.
Politics is a term that elicits strong emotions and opinions from its critics and champions. For the former, it conjures up images of scheming, manipulation and crooked behaviour; for the latter, it is an important tool in getting things done in the workplace. The word itself is quite old and dates back to the 1500s, when Niccolo Machiavelli wrote his book on political life, in which he argued that politics was all about gaining and keeping power. Today, politics is still a fascinating area of study for scholars and the public alike. The modern world is divided into 190-plus countries, each with its own government that claims sovereignty over a specific territory and seeks to compel obedience from citizens to its will. Governments have three basic functions: they govern, legislate and protect. The modern political system usually consists of three distinct branches: the executive branch, which is the president; the legislative branch, composed of a bicameral legislature called the House of Representatives and Senate; and the judicial branch, which is made up of the Supreme Court and lower federal courts. A nation’s political systems may differ, but all of them are characterized by their struggle to find solutions to problems. In the United States, for example, politicians compete for voters by seeking to solve complex social problems and competing for resources. This struggle is often characterized by political corruption, ideological extremism and entrenched interests. To address these problems, most governments are governed by a mix of constitutional and democratic procedures. In the United States, for example, elections are held every four years to elect a president and the bicameral legislature of the Congress. The Congressional leadership is led by the speaker of the House of Representatives and the majority leader of the Senate. The executive branch is headed by the president, who carries out many of the duties and responsibilities of the state’s chief executive. The judicial branch of the United States consists of the Supreme Court and lower federal courts, which exercise judicial review over laws passed by Congress. In addition, most countries have one or more political parties. Third-party candidates and independent political organizations sometimes surface, but they generally have difficulty achieving significant influence in the national political arena. In the United States, for example, new political parties have rarely risen to major-party status since the 1850s. In the rare instances when a new party achieves this status, it is typically due to a single issue that polarizes the country. Many people with a strong interest in politics go on to study political science or a related field at university. Some then pursue careers in government or non-governmental organisations. Others have a more entrepreneurial spirit and work for themselves, running their own businesses or lobbying firms. Whether in the private or public sector, a good understanding of the art of politics is essential for success.