Defining Politics

Here are some of the definitions of

politics offered by subject matter
experts:
-
in broadest sense, it is the
activity through which people
make, preserve and amend the
general rules under which
they live. (Heywood, 2007)
-
activity or process by which groups reach and enforce binding decisions.
(Hague & Harrop, 2013)
-
activity by which different interests within a given unit of rule are conciliated
by giving them a share in power in proportion to their importance to the
welfare and the survival of the whole community. (Crick, 2005)
-
set of activities that organizes individuals, systematically resolves disputes,
and maintains order in society through creation and enforcement of rules and
government policy. (Barrington et al. 2010)
-
activity through which human beings attempt to improve their lives and create
the Good Society. (Aristotle in Heywood, 2007)
Studying Politics - The Different Views About Politics
(Heywood, 2007)
This topic will help you gain a deeper understanding about politics.
A. Politics as the art of government
Politics is viewed as an art or practical
application of knowledge for the achievement of
a particular objective. This is considered the
classical definition of politics: the art of
government or the exercise of control within
society through the making and enforcement of
collective or group decisions.
Here are the additional features of this view about politics:
➢ This view was developed in Ancient Greece. Remember, the word politics is
derived from the ancient Greek word polis, which literally means city-state.
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Politics can be understood to refer to the affairs or concerns of the polis or its
modern meaning what concerns the state.
➢ If you are studying politics, you are studying the government. Two aspects are
under this setting: Government personnel or the people in government and
government machinery or the different government departments, offices, or
agencies.
➢ Politics happens in cabinet rooms, legislative chambers, government
departments.
➢ To study politics is to study the exercise of authority defined as legitimate
power. Legitimate means it is acceptable for the people.
➢ Politics is engaged in by a limited and specific group of people, notably
politicians, civil servants and lobbyists.
B. Politics as public affairs
This second view considers politics as what happens in the public sphere of life. It is
important that you remember the distinction between 8the political9 and 8the
nonpolitical9. It coincides with the division between what is public and what is
private. If it happens in the public sphere, it is political.
To clarify, the distinction between the public and the private conforms with the
division between the state and civil society. The institutions of the state (the offices
of government, the courts, the police, the army, and so forth) can be regarded as
8public9 because they are responsible for the collective organization of community
life.
Moreover, they are funded at the public9s expense or out of taxation. In contrast,
civil
society consists of institutions such as private businesses, trade unions, clubs,
community groups and so on that are 8private9 in the sense that they are set up
and
funded by individual citizens to satisfy their own interests, rather than those of the
larger society.
C. Politics as compromise and consensus
The third view about politics refers to the way in
which decisions are made. Politics is seen as a
particular means of resolving conflict: that is, by
compromise, conciliation and negotiation, rather
than through force and naked power. The
description of a solution to a problem as a
8political9 solution implies peaceful debate and
arbitration, as opposed to what is often called a
8military9 solution. It is based on the belief that
society is characterized by consensus rather than by irreconcilable conflict. In other
words, the disagreements that exist can be resolved without resort to intimidation
and violence. This view of politics has a positive character. People should be
encouraged to respect politics as an activity, and should be prepared to engage in
the political life of their own community.
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D. Politics as power
The fourth view sees politics to be
present in all social activities.
Politics takes place at every level of
social interaction; it can be found
within families and amongst small
groups of friends just as much as
amongst nations and on the global
stage. The presence of power
makes a particular social behavior
or activity distinctively political. Politics under this view is in essence power or the
ability to achieve a desired outcome, through whatever means. Politics is seen as a
struggle over limited resources, and power can be seen as the means through
which
this struggle is conducted. In politics, power is usually thought of as a relationship:
that is, as the ability to influence the behavior of others in a manner not of their
choosing. It is referred to in terms of having 8power over9 people.
Remember, politics may be defined as: the art of government, public
affairs,
compromise and consensus, and power.

The Government and its Purposes

Government is the term generally used to
describe the formal institutions through
which a group of people is ruled or governed.
The term extends to include the persons and
organizations that make, enforce, and apply
political decisions for a society. (Mendoza
n.d.)
Government is created for the benefit of the
people governed. It performs services or
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functions that are beyond the capabilities of any individual or enterprise. The
important purposes of government are: (1) the maintenance of peace and order; (2)
the protection of persons and property; (3) the administration of justice; (4) the
promotion of education; (5) the preservation of the state from external danger and;
(5) the advancement of the physical, economic and social and cultural well-being of
the people. (Leon 1991)
Governance
Governance is commonly defined as the exercise of power or authority by political
leaders
for the well-being of their country9s citizens or inhabitants.
It is the complex process whereby some sectors of the society exercise power, and
create
public policies which directly affect the members of society. Governance is broader than
government in that other sectors are included in it. The government (also called the
public sector) is always the main actor in governance but it is not the only actor.
Governance is based on the realization that the government alone cannot do everything
for the people. The main role of the government is to provide an enabling environment
for the other actors of governance to participate and respond to the mandate of the
common good. All actors other than the government are called the <civil society.= The
civil
society includes non-governmental organizations, and other community-based and
sectoral organizations, such as association of farmers, charitable institutions,
cooperatives, religious communities, political parties, and research institutes. These
organizations are private in nature but have public functions or objectives.
Indicators of Good Governance
Good governance is understood through its eight
indicators or characteristics: (1) Participatory; (2) Rule of
Law; (3) Effective and Efficient; (4) Transparent; (5)
Responsive; (6) Equitable and Inclusive; (7) Consensus
Oriented; and (8) Accountability.
1. Participatory
Good governance essentially requires participation of different sectors of the
society.
Participation means active involvement of all affected and interested parties in the
decision-making process. It requires an enabling environment. Governance should
no longer be government monopoly but government management or inter-sectoral
participation.
2. Rule of Law
Good governance is fundamentally adherence to the rule of law. Rule of law
demands
that the people and the civil society render habitual obedience to the law and the
government acts within the limits of the powers and functions prescribed by the
law.
Rule of law also requires that laws are responsive to the needs of the society.
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3. Effectiveness and Efficiency

Good governance requires that the institutions, processes, and actors could deliver
and meet the necessities of the society in a way that available resources are utilized
well. Public service delivery, especially of front-line agencies, must promptly and
adequately serve the needs of the citizens. Doing so requires simplified government
procedures and inexpensive transaction costs.
4. Transparency
Transparency means that people are open to information regarding decision-making
process and the implementation of decisions. Information on matters of public
concern are made available to the citizens or those who will be directly affected.
5. Responsiveness
Responsiveness means that institutions
and processes serve all stakeholders in a
timely and appropriate manner. The
interests of all citizens must be well
protected in a prompt and appropriate
manner so that each of them can appreciate
and take part in the process of governance.
6. Equity and Inclusiveness
Equity and inclusiveness mean that all the members of the society, especially the
most vulnerable ones must be taken into consideration. Everyone has a stake in the
society and no one should feel alienated from it. Those who have less in life should
have more in law. Good governance demands that the actors must give preferential
attention to the conditions of the poor.
7. Consensus Oriented
Governance is consensus oriented when
decisions are made after taking into
consideration the different viewpoints.
Mechanisms for conflict resolution must be
in place because inevitably conflict will
arise from competing interests of the actors.
Governance is based on the partnership of
the actors of the society in providing public
services.
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8. Accountability
Accountability means answerability or responsibility for one9s action. It is based on
the principle that every person or group is responsible for their actions most
especially when their acts affect public interest. The actors have an obligation to
explain and be answerable for the consequences of decisions and actions they have
made on behalf of the community it serves.