POLITICAL THEORY: AN INTRODUCTION
The idea that politics can be either ‘good’ or ‘bad’ is simplistic. Politics is a tool, and like any tool, its value largely depends on how it is used. While many view politics with scepticism, associating it with corruption and self-interest, it is also the means by which social change can occur, laws are enacted, and social justice can be advanced. For example, the civil rights movement in the United States was inherently political, as are efforts to address climate change.
Politics is not just about what politicians do; it’s a much more expansive field. It’s about power dynamics, negotiation, conflict resolution, and governance. It is present in many aspects of life, from the family and workplace to schools and government. It involves formal institutions like parliaments and courts, but also informal ones like community groups, protests, and social media discourse.
Government is a part of politics but not the sum total of it. Governments are formal structures through which policies are made and enforced. Politics is the broader realm within which governments operate, including everything from elections and law-making to protests and political debate. The health of a political system is often judged by the quality of its governance, but also by the robustness of its civil society and the degree of political participation among its citizens.
Politics is necessary for the functioning of any group of people living together, bound by some common norms or aspirations. It allows for the peaceful resolution of disputes, the achievement of collective aims, and the allocation of resources. In a world with limited resources and conflicting interests, politics offers a mechanism for making collective decisions that are, ideally, in the best interest of the community.