Politics Definition – The art or science of government, the guiding or influencing of governmental policy and the winning and holding control over a government.
Q. Please explore the concept of power as it relates to politics.
A. It is generally the case that an individual who has successfully accumulated power and influence especially in the political realm have done so with intention and strong strategizing skills. After all politics is often a zero sum game and to get to the top of any pile in that arena requires the ability to negotiate, threaten, manipulate and generally influence others to jump on board ones bandwagon. A person with a small ego, and little ambition would be wise to direct their energies elsewhere.
Q. Speak about loyalty and politics
A. In order to remain at the top of a political hierarchy it is essential that a person of power curry intense devotion from his or her supporters. This means having individuals on his or her team who are willing to respond to slights real or perceived and who can function as an advance man (or woman), political advisor intergovernmental liaison, general influencer and who at the end of the day can get things done. In the world of power and influence loyalty is a prized commodity and grudges are kept for decades.
Q. It seems that as people get older they become more cynical about politicians. Why is this?
A. It is important for a person running for political office to create an aura of inevitability. A sense that a vision is so well defined, is so timely and has support that is so strong and committed that to resist it for nay but the best of intentions is a misuse of resources and political capital.
Q. Of course when a politician does this they are later accused of breaking campagn ppromises. Is it ethical to make these types of promises?
A. The idea of ethics in a political context is very complex. It is unlikely that any politician who tell the complete truth can ever get elected. On the other hand since politics in a democracy requires dialogue, negotiation and this way of doing business is both ethical and necessary. The wisest political operator does not present their position in threatening terms but rather as a political reality backed up by strong-willed supporters.
Q. How do the forces of nationalismin politics influence culture?
A. The forces of nationalism draw great benefit from exploiting culture because it is an economically powerful approach that can influences many elements in society. It is not only symbolic but this process helps the nationalist to hides political positions with hidden agendas behind the law as it manipulates all obstacles to appear as a battle between the strong and the weak. In the end all players in the process become political pawns of one type or another,
Q. What would be an extreme example of a political BBO – Belief based Obstacle? (See the Glossary)
A. Many political ideologues are convinced that their chosen political system can blossom in virtually any culture. They believe that their political system (whether a democratic republic, parliamentary democracy, theocracy, monarchy, democratic socialism, or communist government) can prosper through the rule of law in a multi-religious, multiethnic society. This belief will distort the most logically driven analysis of the data and create a culture of denial that leads to inter-religious and inter-ethnic violence and often leads to a chain reaction of chaos that undermines the source political system. The Soviet Union experienced just that in Afghanistan in the 1970 and the United States experienced this in Vietnam from the 1960-70s.
