The Role of Politics in Society
Many bloggers, and also some politicians, often refer to something called being politically interested, or, being politically aware. However, the theory that politics is simply, or primarily, about political power struggles has long been challenged over modern times. Many political scientists have challenged this view. Still, most political scientists concur that politics does play a significant role in society. Politics, at the very least at the broadest level, is defined by the political parties involved.
Politics is, in large part, a social activity. It is definitely so. As political scientist Robert Weihlmann put it "Politics is really a social activity and political institutions are political institutions." Politics is not static; it constantly changes as sets of people come together and find different ways of cooperating to satisfy their political needs. This ongoing process of politics has been present since the earliest history of democracy, as groups of men banded together to form political coalitions to attain particular ends.
From the initial days of politics the concept of politics was linked closely to the question of power. At that time, power meant individual control over social organizations such as warring against neighboring tribes, creating a country, etc. Power was tied closely to the ownership of land, and therefore, politics became a game of who had more usage of political power. Thus, those groups with the best number of warriors could actually rule through the use of politics. Power was in line with the fact that those who held political power had access to more weapons and for that reason, were with the capacity of defending themselves with their political power. Thus, politics became closely linked to war.
The early civilizations that existed beyond the reach of Rome didn't have political systems, and thus, politics was not a significant matter. Groups of men would band together and create political coalitions when necessary. Rome had not been developed enough at this time to create stable governments, and therefore, politics became a key point that has been considered when forming alliances with other groups. A number of these political coalitions happened due to religious or nationalistic reasons. Religious groups such as the pagans or the Jews would sometimes form coalitions to be able to fight off encroaching empires.
As political theory became more developed throughout the centuries that followed, it started to are more intertwined with ideas of right and wrong. For example, many people would associate right thinking with societal bliss, moral enlightenment, and a feeling of honor and integrity. Often times, political systems were established by using force, and the societies that emerged in the classical world were generally brutalized through the use of political violence.
However, even though some political thinkers argue that such societies are too difficult to analyze, most political scientists have tried to investigate how politics actually works in real life today. In fact, political scientists have spent decades trying to explain the workings of politics in the twenty-first century world. Most political theories in the twentieth century have been developed through the analysis of political systems which have developed across the world. Studying the political systems of ancient and contemporary societies has revealed a great deal about how politics works.
Politics is usually thought of as a political arena where groups of people decide on what kind of political system they want to live in. However, politics also plays an integral role in social interaction, and politics play a role in the shaping of social norms. Many social scientists have theorized that just how that politics influences social interaction is through deliberation. For instance, in case a political philosopher discusses the issue of poverty, lots of people might immediately begin to discuss their own personal strategies for alleviating poverty.
Along with social interaction, politics influences other aspects of human life including cultural norms, gender roles, national identity, and also religion. All of these areas of politics can be traced back to their origins in ancient societies. Thus, politics plays an essential role in all aspects of contemporary human life. Although political debate is frequently viewed as the domain of powerful governments and political leaders, politics could be understood as a process by which people come to decide how their society and world will function, and how they themselves will be affected by that process.
Politics is, in large part, a social activity. It is definitely so. As political scientist Robert Weihlmann put it "Politics is really a social activity and political institutions are political institutions." Politics is not static; it constantly changes as sets of people come together and find different ways of cooperating to satisfy their political needs. This ongoing process of politics has been present since the earliest history of democracy, as groups of men banded together to form political coalitions to attain particular ends.
From the initial days of politics the concept of politics was linked closely to the question of power. At that time, power meant individual control over social organizations such as warring against neighboring tribes, creating a country, etc. Power was tied closely to the ownership of land, and therefore, politics became a game of who had more usage of political power. Thus, those groups with the best number of warriors could actually rule through the use of politics. Power was in line with the fact that those who held political power had access to more weapons and for that reason, were with the capacity of defending themselves with their political power. Thus, politics became closely linked to war.
The early civilizations that existed beyond the reach of Rome didn't have political systems, and thus, politics was not a significant matter. Groups of men would band together and create political coalitions when necessary. Rome had not been developed enough at this time to create stable governments, and therefore, politics became a key point that has been considered when forming alliances with other groups. A number of these political coalitions happened due to religious or nationalistic reasons. Religious groups such as the pagans or the Jews would sometimes form coalitions to be able to fight off encroaching empires.
As political theory became more developed throughout the centuries that followed, it started to are more intertwined with ideas of right and wrong. For example, many people would associate right thinking with societal bliss, moral enlightenment, and a feeling of honor and integrity. Often times, political systems were established by using force, and the societies that emerged in the classical world were generally brutalized through the use of political violence.
However, even though some political thinkers argue that such societies are too difficult to analyze, most political scientists have tried to investigate how politics actually works in real life today. In fact, political scientists have spent decades trying to explain the workings of politics in the twenty-first century world. Most political theories in the twentieth century have been developed through the analysis of political systems which have developed across the world. Studying the political systems of ancient and contemporary societies has revealed a great deal about how politics works.
Politics is usually thought of as a political arena where groups of people decide on what kind of political system they want to live in. However, politics also plays an integral role in social interaction, and politics play a role in the shaping of social norms. Many social scientists have theorized that just how that politics influences social interaction is through deliberation. For instance, in case a political philosopher discusses the issue of poverty, lots of people might immediately begin to discuss their own personal strategies for alleviating poverty.
Along with social interaction, politics influences other aspects of human life including cultural norms, gender roles, national identity, and also religion. All of these areas of politics can be traced back to their origins in ancient societies. Thus, politics plays an essential role in all aspects of contemporary human life. Although political debate is frequently viewed as the domain of powerful governments and political leaders, politics could be understood as a process by which people come to decide how their society and world will function, and how they themselves will be affected by that process.
