If I ask you, what is politics? You will probably roll your eyes at me and say, “Gosh, we have a rotten government!”
It doesn’t answer the question, but it makes sense.
We expect a lot from the government, and they don’t seem to fulfill the promises they lured us with during the elections.
Demagoguery is the use of emotional appeals, fear, and false promises by a leader to gain power by manipulating the beliefs and prejudices of the public.
When you realize that, you might add, “Politicians are liars! They only take my money! Where do my taxes go? Their pockets!”
But let me tell you something: Politics is not just about governments. It is about “fair decision-making,” which many of them fail to do.
And that explains your frustration.
Politics Is About Making Decisions That Affect Others
Whenever there is a group of people involved, and someone needs to decide what should be done, politics starts to happen.
And it happens not just in bigger contexts that involve governments and political institutions, but also in our daily lives.
Politics Is Not Just About Governments
Politics exists anywhere there is a group trying to make decisions, distribute responsibilities, or resolve disagreements.
Sure, governments are one of the most visible places where it plays out, but they are just one piece of a much larger puzzle.
For example, think about how school councils make decisions for students, or how a homeowners’ association sets neighborhood rules.
These are political acts, too.
According to Aristotle, We Are Political Animals
The idea that “humans are political animals” goes all the way back to Aristotle, one of the greatest thinkers in history.
What he meant was simple: We are naturally drawn to live in communities, and we thrive through social organization.
To ensure that we stay happy in our community, we must find ways to make fair decisions, organize rules, and work out conflicts.
People Must Be Part of a Community to Be Happy
Being part of a community gives us purpose, belonging, and support. It also allows us to contribute to something bigger than ourselves.
But it puts us in situations where we have to deal with shared responsibilities, needs, resources, and rules.
So, we must discuss with others: “Who gets what? Who does what? How do we resolve conflicts in case they arise?”
Politics involves compromise when it comes to shared resources and responsibilities because everyone must reach decisions that serve the common good.
When these decisions are fair and inclusive, we feel happy. But when we feel excluded or mistreated, it leads to dissatisfaction.
Government Provides Structure to a Community
Government, ideally, provides structure to a community. It exists to keep things orderly and to make sure everyone’s needs are considered.
Some government officials are elected, while some are appointed. Either way, they make decisions that impact the community.
Some Governments Are Good and Some Are Corrupt
Obviously, a good government listens to people (especially those in the lower class), makes fair laws, and uses public money responsibly.
A corrupt government does the opposite. It serves not the public, but the interests of a few through bribery, manipulation, nepotism, or outright theft.
Politics Exists in Organizations
Politics is alive and well in offices, schools, nonprofits, and almost every type of organization. You have probably seen this play out in your workplace.
Do you have a coworker who reports everything, especially the bad decisions you made, to your boss? Office politics!
Do you want to advocate for policies that protect your right to privacy because you are tired of dealing with that toxic coworker? Office politics!
As you can see, office politics is not always bad.
Office Politics
Office politics refers to the informal, behind-the-scenes influence people use to advance their interests in the workplace.
You might notice how some employees can easily get away with things, or how they rise quickly through the ranks despite not being commendable.
Once you have seen that many times, you start to automatically roll your eyes when you hear “office politics.”
But then again, it can be positive. It gets toxic only when it involves manipulation or stepping on others to get ahead.
Negotiations
When you negotiate a salary, a project deadline, or who is doing what in a team, you are engaging in politics.
Negotiation is central to politics, as both involve balancing interests and reaching collective decisions.
In negotiations, everyone brings different priorities, needs, and levels of influence to the table. And there is no winner or loser.
It is about finding common ground.
Making Decisions
Even something as simple as deciding on a project direction can involve politics if different departments or personalities are involved.
The more people are affected by a decision, the more political it becomes.
Politics Also Exists in Friendships and Families
When deciding where to go on a trip with friends, or how to split chores with siblings, you are politicking with them.
These situations involve negotiation, compromise, and shared decision-making, which are political interactions.
It Is Not Politics If You Decide for Yourself
When you make a decision that affects only you, like what to eat for lunch or what time to sleep, that is a personal choice, not a political one.
It becomes political when your choices start to affect others, or when decisions require negotiation with other people.
So, the next time you say you don’t engage in politics, you do.
Even if you are not a voter because you couldn’t care less about politicians and their demagoguery, you have adjusted your preferences for others.
That is politics.
