(1) What is Politics

(1) What is Politics

1. Politics is power

   • This definition includes an understanding of force – it is about the use of power.

2. Politics is compromise

   • Politics is an ethical activity concerned with creating a just society in which we can live together and prefer compromise to
   • The problem with this definition is that it does not deal with imposition

3. Politics is public affairs

   • All this suggests is that politics is broader than government i.e. it involves us all
   • Voting by citizens over 18 so they are participating in our political process

4. Politics is government

   • This definition concentrates on specific people, such as the Prime Minister, and institutions such as Parliament
   • The problem with this definition is that it limits politics to decision makers

5. What definition do we choose?

   • The first and second are about who makes the decision whereas the third and fourth are about how decisions are made.