The Importance of Politics
Politics is a subject that is central to society, as it defines and shapes laws that govern every aspect of our lives. However, the word politics is often associated with negative connotations. This is due to a range of factors, including the high level of corruption and nepotism that occurs in some countries, the often petty and divisive bickering between politicians and their opponents and the overall apathy towards politics in many societies. Politics is an important part of society, and it can be beneficial if used in a constructive manner.
Politics, which derives from the Ancient Greek term politika (
A wide range of social levels are involved in a country’s politics, from the clans and tribes of traditional societies to local governments, companies and institutions up to sovereign nation states. People who share similar beliefs about how a society should be organised and managed form political parties, which compete with each other to represent their views in elections to governments and other governing bodies.
The political system of a country is usually laid out in its constitution, which describes the structure and functions of the state. In the United States, for example, there is a federal government that regulates some aspects of the economy and society, while citizens are also subject to local, state and county governments. Governments are also involved in interacting with each other in international relations, through organisations such as the United Nations or the World Trade Organisation.
Niccolo Machiavelli wrote, in his 1532 book The Prince, that politics is about having and keeping power. This idea was reworked by Thomas Hobbes in his 1651 book Leviathan, which suggests that the most powerful person or group will have the best chance of success when attempting to rule. John Stuart Mill developed the “liberal” idea of politics, which focuses on protecting individual rights against the power of the state and other governmental institutions.
Whether we like it or not, politics is everywhere, from the GST that we pay during our grocery shopping to the laws and customs that govern our daily lives. We may not be aware of it, but there is no doubt that politics is crucial for societal progress and development. However, many individuals feel disenfranchised with the current societal order and are calling for greater change through protests and other forms of political engagement. Despite these concerns, research has shown that the benefits of politics can outweigh the negative costs, with positive psychological and social benefits being observed. These include the sense of fulfilment that comes with acting on a civic duty, the expressive or solidarity benefits of joining with like-minded people and the entertainment rewards of political participation.
Politics is a subject that is central to society, as it defines and shapes laws that govern every aspect of our lives. However, the word politics is often associated with negative connotations. This is due to a range of factors, including the high level of corruption and nepotism that occurs in some countries, the often petty and divisive bickering between politicians and their opponents and the overall apathy towards politics in many societies. Politics is an important part of society, and it can be beneficial if used in a constructive manner. Politics, which derives from the Ancient Greek term politika () meaning “affairs of the city”, refers to the process by which people in groups make planned decisions about how they should live together. In the context of modern democracy, this is done by electing people to run a government, which in turn makes decisions about how to provide public services, enforce law, ensure security and govern persons and things. The study of these activities is known as political science, public affairs or government. A wide range of social levels are involved in a country’s politics, from the clans and tribes of traditional societies to local governments, companies and institutions up to sovereign nation states. People who share similar beliefs about how a society should be organised and managed form political parties, which compete with each other to represent their views in elections to governments and other governing bodies. The political system of a country is usually laid out in its constitution, which describes the structure and functions of the state. In the United States, for example, there is a federal government that regulates some aspects of the economy and society, while citizens are also subject to local, state and county governments. Governments are also involved in interacting with each other in international relations, through organisations such as the United Nations or the World Trade Organisation. Niccolo Machiavelli wrote, in his 1532 book The Prince, that politics is about having and keeping power. This idea was reworked by Thomas Hobbes in his 1651 book Leviathan, which suggests that the most powerful person or group will have the best chance of success when attempting to rule. John Stuart Mill developed the “liberal” idea of politics, which focuses on protecting individual rights against the power of the state and other governmental institutions. Whether we like it or not, politics is everywhere, from the GST that we pay during our grocery shopping to the laws and customs that govern our daily lives. We may not be aware of it, but there is no doubt that politics is crucial for societal progress and development. However, many individuals feel disenfranchised with the current societal order and are calling for greater change through protests and other forms of political engagement. Despite these concerns, research has shown that the benefits of politics can outweigh the negative costs, with positive psychological and social benefits being observed. These include the sense of fulfilment that comes with acting on a civic duty, the expressive or solidarity benefits of joining with like-minded people and the entertainment rewards of political participation.