Politics in Application and Practice - Essay Example

Politics Politics can be considered as an activity of attending to the arrangements made for a set of people. However, politics cannot have influence in people’s general arrangements such as families, clubs and elite societies. In its broadest meaning, politics is an activity adopted by states because the former is inherent in the latter. Some people may consider politics as a secondary activity. Politics is a subject which needs in depth understanding by people; as well as an activity, which requires the participation of each and every member of the society. However, children and mentally unstable persons are not allowed to take part in politics, because it demands greater responsibility. Politics is a universal activity. Therefore, political education requires deeper understanding of political activity and wide spread knowledge about it. Political activity is the fundamental ingredient of politics, and emerges from politics. This means that politics and political activity are one and the same. Thus, politics is an embodiment of political activity (King, 1977. Pages 75 – 77). In general, people are of the opinion that politics concerns itself, in the main, with political parties, parliament and the prime minister. As far as the British political system is concerned, this could be a fact, where the politics surrounds these institutions. In several other countries politics can be found in a plethora of activities that are not restricted to the government and its institutions. Politics is involved in trade union activities. Trade union representatives or members are found in government policy making agencies and play a role that is similar to that of a minister in the government. In some countries, religious leaders and priests are actively involved with politics. Politics can be construed as conflict management. There will be considerable disagreement between the various factions and the individual citizens. Generally these disagreements deal with the nature of the government and its performance. For instance, in the United Kingdom disagreements arise between the Conservative and Labour parties. Therefore, conservatives and socialists are always at loggerheads with each other (Williams, 1998. Pages 1 – 7). In the context of legislative science, politics is considered to be a practical expression of enforcing wisdom and judgement. The politician uses his wisdom to create, organise and maintain a sound legal system and order. This is the political domain according to universal principles. According to Aristotle’s philosophy, the politician can be compared to a craftsman. However, this could be deemed to be unusual and imprecise, because politics demands a vast amount of prudence and wisdom. Aristotle justifies his analogy with the reasoning that the creation of an artefact entails four causes such as the material, formality, efficiency and finality. In politics, the formal cause can be the constitution for a state, which he referred to as politeia. According to his perception, the constitution is the instrument that brings about order amongst the people or inhabitants of a city – state. The constitution of a community can be the form of the compound. Aristotle argues that the community’s well – being is dependent on its constitution and the community remains the same over a period of time, if it has the same constitution. Under his perception, the constitution is not a mere written document. It is an inherent principle that organises the people in the community. The constitution is the same as the soul of an organism. Therefore, the constitution can be the way of life for the citizens in the community. Aristotle implied in this categorization, that these citizens constituted a particular section of the populace, who were adults enjoying full political rights. These citizens, according to Aristotle, were in a minority amongst the entire population that comprised the community (Miller, 2002). Aristotelian political science attempts to provide complete political justice. Normally such political justice and order can be attained by a capable lawgiver under certain specific circumstances. Aristotle’s political perception was fully influenced by Plato, his teacher. However, Aristotle had thoroughly analysed the concept of Republic that had been propounded by Plato. Aristotle examined the viability of the ideal city under the Republic concept. It overestimates the value of political unity. It also deals with the communism system of governance. Aristotle thought that the system of communism would be impractical and detrimental to human nature. Moreover, communism ignores individuals’ happiness and welfare (Miller, 2002). Aristotle described his own best constitution in Politics VII-VIII. According to this concept, every citizen has moral virtue. To attain that moral virtue, every citizen will have the required wherewithal. Once the citizens achieve moral virtue, they will lead a life of excellence and will attain eternal happiness. Each and every citizen will assume political office and will hold privately owned property. This is because, the city – state is a collective entity, whose happiness is determined by the happiness of all of its inhabitants. In addition to this, the city – state will provide a common system of education for its citizens. Moreover, citizens can share the prosperity of the city – state. The lawgivers have to design an appropriate constitution for the citizens, if the latter lack the capabilities and resources to enjoy complete happiness (Miller, 2002). In contrast to this theory, the second best system of constitution may transform into a polity. Under this form, the citizens achieve lesser happiness and degraded or inferior moral virtues. Another type is the mixed constitution in which there will be a combination of the characteristics of political systems such as democracy, oligarchy and aristocracy. Miller, 2002). Plato, in his major political work the Republic, had suggested that there should be justice for all individuals in a state. In that attempt he discussed in detail, as to what makes a just state and who can be considered as a just individual. Plato had proposed three classes of people who constitute an ideal state. The merchant class, which is to be accountable for the economic structure of the state. The military class that has to supervise the security needs and arrangements of the state. Lastly, the philosophers and political experts who have to provide political leadership, through competent candidates (Baird, 2008). The educational process will determine the class of the people. Education is to be imparted from birth and is to be continued till such time as the person reaches the highest level of education. Any person’s educational qualifications, interests and capabilities will determine the category to which he is to belong. Persons who complete the educational system will become philosopher – kings. Those who have become philosopher – kings will have mature thinking and proper mental development. They can easily grasp the needs and demands of the society. They also can make sound judgements and wise decisions. Plato also integrated the conventional Greek moral virtues with the structure of classes in his ideal state. He attributed various virtues and values to the classes (Baird, 2008). The artisan class will have self – control or temperance as its distinguishing virtue. Similarly, he attributed courage to the military class as a unique virtue, and wisdom and prudence to the ruler class. Plato associated justice with society, in general, as its unique characteristic. In his just state, the classes will do their respective duties in an outstanding manner and without involving or infringing other classes’ activities and functions (Baird, 2008). The majority of the people consider politics as a reprehensible activity and an activity to be avoided. They also consider politics as disgraceful and notorious. Most of the citizens are of the opinion that politics is a disreputable activity and that the politicians are not respectable or trustworthy. Politicians deal with matters which most of the people cannot understand normally. Politics, in authoritarian states, may reflect the mere words and functions of the governments (Politics, 1999). In democratic regimes, politics is considered to as issues and affairs of the state. This is because the media in those democratic states picture the politicians in that manner. The media features combating arguments between politicians on issues pertaining to home and international relations. According to political science, politics is an activity, in which there will be collective participation by the members of society to resolve conflict. In general, there will be disagreements between groups that have interrelationships. Conflicts may arise between states or between political groups within a state (Politics, 1999). Similarly there will be disputes with regard to objectives; and there will be disputes with regard to the ways and means of achieving such objectives. Most of the people choose peace and stability rather than instability and war; and they cannot resolve the disputes on their own. The politician with skill will be able to find out a resolution for such disputes and finally restore peace. In order to achieve this goal, the politician requires patience, skill and preparedness to arbitrate between the disputing factions or groups. Generally, a majority of conflicts and disputes arise for higher share of allocation of material resources within the state and also at the international level. There should be law and order to maintain peace. Without the framework of law and order, and peace no one can resolve such disputes (Politics, 1999). Elections are the key factors that determine the authority of the government in democratic nations. They must be held in a free and fair environment, and there will be significant competition amongst the various parties that take part in the elections. In order to have free and competitive elections, freedom of speech, several contesting parties between which people can choose and a secret ballot are essential. These requirements provide an opportunity to the people to elect their most favoured government. People are enabled to obtain the government of their choice and they have the opportunity to elect the government that is to rule over them (Williams, 1998. Pages 1 – 7). This was demonstrated by the German Nazi regime in the 1930’s. The Nazis attempted to prove that they had the support from the people through mass rallies. Fidel Castro of Cuba had also pretended that he had the consent of people, by organizing mass demonstrations. Governments irrespective of their nature have to carry out three fundamental duties, namely, making law, implementing law and applying the law. In modern democratic states, the legislature, executive and the judiciary are responsible for performing these functions. In the eighteenth century, Baron Montesquieu had propounded the notion of separation of powers. According to this concept, a government can be considered to be comprised of several units; and each of these units should operate without depending on other institutions. The total power of the government is divided between these institutions. Therefore, there will not be any concentration of power in any particular institution. Under this concept, no individual person or institution will have command over the entire power to govern the nation. Such separation of powers prevents any single government institution from depriving the basic rights and liberties of the citizens (Williams, 1998. Pages 1 – 7). International markets mainly depend on peaceful relationships. They cannot afford disputes and conflicts. If law and order fails then the trade will be seriously affected. Therefore, social and economic relationships are chiefly based on the institutionalised practices of discussion, bargaining and finding a resolution. Thus, politics is the effective tool that promotes peace worldwide and restores normalcy (Politics, 1999). A major portion of political science deals with conflict and resolution between domestic associations or factions. Associations can be divided into two categories such as pressure groups and political parties. Research studies and case studies attempt to probe into them deeply. Comparative treatment studies provide wider understanding and in depth knowledge about political domains. This is known as comparative politics. Comparative treatment studies require knowledge of constitutional law. They will provide considerable amount of historical background regarding the political institutions and an understanding of the nation’s political culture (Political science, 1999). Political science also deals with the implementation of political decisions made by politicians. The present democratic regimes will be having extensive administrative mechanisms and frameworks. These structures require large amount of supervision, governance and coordination. Public administration is the branch of political science, which encompasses these structures, frameworks and the required regulatory mechanisms. Public administration is the basis for the development of politics (Political science, 1999). Political science revolves around the concept of power. There is no unit for measuring power, and it cannot be measured. Power can be assessed as less power or more power, but it cannot be quantified. Power remains behind a veil and it does not permit the assessment of the quantum of power that a power – holder has. Some people may pretend to be holding power, whilst actually being powerless. It is not possible to study power and its forces. It is also not possible to recognise who is responsible for the occurrence of something. Thus, evaluating power is always a problem (Political power, 1999). Exercising of power can be in various ways. Several nations use coercion, and some of these nations may use it in a more brutal manner than the others. The most serious form of exercising power is creating the threat of death. Threat is the most effective means of suppressing opponents politically. Imprisonment is also a form of exertion of power. Fines and penalties come under milder forms of exercising power. Control can be achieved through manipulation, without imposing sanctions or the threat of sanctions (Political power, 1999). The ability to control and regulate the physical sources can bring about the manipulation of a large number of people. Similarly, controlling the distribution of information may also result in the manipulation of masses. The ability to manipulate the public requires skills of oratory and the capability to understand the prejudices of people and to exploit them. Influence is a method of exercising power; and scholars and intellectuals are considered to be influential in some countries such as France (Political power, 1999). Politics has been subjected to several misinterpretations and in the book In Defence of Politics, the author Bernard Crick termed it as an activity. His view was supported by Bismarck (politics , 2005). “It is an activity based on diversity: diverse opinions about aims to be achieved and means to achieve them. Politics accepts this diversity as a fact of life and seeks to resolve conflicting views by discussion and compromise.” (politics , 2005). As such, every state, without exception, constitutes some kind of community. The objective of every community is to benefit the people. The pinnacle of communities is the state or political community. Hence, it has to ensure the greatest good to the greatest number of the people. Nevertheless, governments show great variance in the way that they function. To understand these differences, the state should be broken down into it smaller and less complicated units (Aristotle, 2004. P. 7). The practice of ruling the people with their approval is politics. In this exercise, problems relating to society and its economic condition are resolved. Moreover, in this process, the multifarious ambitions of the populace are addressed by resorting to discussions and negotiation and not by the use of force or legislation (politics , 2005). List of References Aristotle. (2004. P. 7). Politics . NuVision Publications, LLC. ISBN:1595479996. Baird, R. M. (2008). Plato. Retrieved May 28, 2008, from Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2008 : http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761568769_3/Plato.html King, P. T. (1977. Pages 75 – 77). The Study of Politics: A Collection of Inaugural Lectures. Routledge. ISBN: 0714630845. Miller, F. (2002, July 19). Aristotles Political Theory. Retrieved May 28, 2008, from http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/aristotle-politics/#PolView Political power. (1999). Retrieved May 28, 2008, from In The Blackwell Dictionary of Political Science: http://www.credoreference.com/entry/725627 Political science. (1999). Retrieved May 28, 2008, from In The Blackwell Dictionary of Political Science: http://www.credoreference.com/entry/725630 politics . (2005). Retrieved May 2008, from In The Hutchinson Unabridged Encyclopedia including Atlas: http://www.credoreference.com/entry/6456910 Politics. (1999). Retrieved May 28, 2008, from In The Blackwell Dictionary of Political Science: http://www.credoreference.com/entry/725639 Williams, A. (1998. Pages 1 – 7). UK Government and Politics. Heinemann. ISBN: 0435331582. Read More