Many see politics in its Machiavellian, manipulative sense, backstabbing and spreading false rumors, but politics need not be dirty. It is through politics that we get things done. Politics is life.
The concept of politics not only refers to the activities associated with the governance of a country; but includes workplace politics and, more broadly, politics in everyday life.
Politics is frequently cast in a bad light. It is seen as the pursuit of individual agendas and self-interest without regard to their effect on other people or, in the case of workplace politics, the organization’s efforts to achieve its goals.
The are many definitions of politics, for example, in the Cambridge Dictionary or the Merriam-Webster dictionary. But to my mind, neither of them is quite broad enough. So this is how I define politics. But first, some context.
Influence and control
In many situations, as individuals, we have no direct say in who makes a decision or the design of the decision-making process.
But we usually have some influence on the people making the decision or involved with the decision-making process.
Going on a protest march is a political act to influence a decision or decisions.
Voting to remain in the EU is a political act, as is encouraging our friends and relations to vote to remain.
These actions, however, do not necessarily result in the decision we would like.
Acting and outcomes
Even when it goes our way, influencing or controlling a decision alone does not directly get stuff done or delivered.
Much of the political power is in influencing or controlling the doing, not just in the decision-making — making sure the decision is implemented.
Even once a decision has been made, political action can support it or sabotage its implementation.
So we have the politics of the decision-making itself and the politics of making it happen.
In its broadest sense, politics is the actions or activities of a person or group to influence or control decisions and the outcomes of those decisions within a specific group context, e.g., a country, community, or organization.
These actions or activities include gaining power or helping others achieve power and consequently influencing or controlling the decisions and outcomes.
Politics can be ethical. It need not be about “backstabbing” or spreading disinformation or malicious rumors.
Because of this negative connotation associated with the term, especially in office politics, many people say they are not political or refuse to play politics. They see politics in its Machiavellian, manipulative sense, but politics need not be dirty.
If we are going to work effectively, we cannot avoid politics; we have to be political. It is through politics that we get things done. However, that does not mean we have to be political in a self-serving sense.
Politics! | Tom Peters
Politics is life. Politics is the basis for real can do, as opposed to the imaginary sort brought to you by “strong leaders.”
We cannot escape politics. Politics has informed everything in life since the beginning of history. It is through politics that we get things done. Politics is life.
Resources
- Blog Post: Like It or Lump It, Politics Is Life by Tom Peters
- Popular Science: Spoiler Alert: Everything is Politics by Maki Naro
Posts that link to this post
- What Is Politics? A broad definition
- Knowledge Is Not Power Our ability to influence people is power
- What Is the Difference Between Rhetoric and Oracy? Rhetoric is monologue, oracy is dialogue
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