Politics I

Politics is frequently thought of as "dirty business."  Words such as corruption, graft, greed, fraud, etc., are commonly associated with it. The term is also associated with conflict, divisiveness, animosity, and cheating. A folk axiom in the United States defines politics (along with religion) as two topics that should not be discussed, implying that doing so can raise conflict and divide even the best of friends.  I posit that this attitude reflects the possible result when clear rules and boundaries for discussions have not been predetermined or when there is only a presumed understanding of the "rules of engagement."

Politics, more broadly defined, is little more than the process used within a group to make a joint decision. As such, there are family politics, church politics, and local politics in addition to state or federal. Who hasn't experienced the family politics of children against parents deciding curfews, bedtimes, or vacation spots?  All social interaction requires an adjudication of power.  Who makes the decisions?  How are decisions going to be arrived at?  Who gets a say in the decision?  Who implements the decision?  There is much that politics determines about inter-human relations.

The more clearly defined (political) rules, the less potential conflict there will be when a decision has to be made.  Whether we are talking about domestic politics or the politics of the United Nations, having some common understanding that the individual parties have agreed to can go a long way to avoiding contentious/harmful conflicts that can sink relationships. A few of the questions to find agreed answers for might include the following:

• How are we going to decide things that affect us? (e.g., consensus, vote, leaving it up to one person, flipping a coin, mediation by an outside party....)
• Who and how do new issues get brought up?
• What is to be done when discussions/debates get intense?
• What behaviors are considered unacceptable? (e.g., threats, violence, withdrawing/shutting down, cursing...)

You might sit down with a significant someone(s) and see if you have a shared understanding of the above questions.

Politics II will introduce morals & ethics in politics.