UNIT 1
WHAT IS POLITICS: THEORIZING THE POLITICAL
What is Politics
• Politics refers to both a social activity and a field of study.
• Aristotle was among the first to use "Politics" as a title for his work,
focusing on this subject as a separate branch of study.
• Many modern scholars also study politics in this sense. Examples include
works by Henry Sidgwick, Harold Laski, and others, where 'politics' is
treated as a subject of academic inquiry.
• Terms like 'Comparative Politics' or 'International Politics' are examples of
how politics is studied as an academic discipline.
• Some universities use 'Politics' and 'Political Science' as interchangeable
terms. For instance, the University of Delhi has a Political Science
department, while the University of Bombay calls it the Department of
Civics and Politics.
Common Misconceptions About Politics
• Layman’s View: Many people think politics is only about elections,
parliaments, and political parties, and not about other aspects of life.
• Another common view is that politics is just about party politics, personal
opinions, or the tricks of politicians to gain power.
• This leads to a negative perception of politics, where it is often seen as
dishonest, manipulative, or something only scoundrels engage in.
• Politics is sometimes dismissed as a 'dirty game,' and students or
intellectuals (like judges) are often advised to stay away from it.
Scientific Study of Politics
, • To study politics scientifically, it's important to remove these
misconceptions and understand it with precision.
• The word 'politics' comes from the Greek word 'polis', meaning city-state.
In ancient Greece, politics was about the activities of citizens in the state.
• Traditionally, politics was seen as the 'science of the state', focusing on
state institutions and the idea of a perfect state.
• Modern thinkers have expanded this view. They see politics not just as
something happening in formal state institutions but as a process that
affects the entire society.
What is a Political Situation?
• A 'political situation' refers to when there is conflict or disagreement, and
the goal is to resolve it.
• Alan Ball: Politics involves disagreements and attempts to resolve them.
• Stephen L. Wasby: Politics exists where there is controversy or debate. If
there are no issues, there is no politics.
• J.D.B. Miller: Politics involves the use of government to resolve conflict,
either by causing change or preventing change.
What Qualifies as a Political Situation?
• For something to be called a 'political situation', it must involve conflict or
disagreement at a public level, not just private disagreements (e.g., a fight
between two children over a toy or a disagreement between a husband and
wife).
• A political conflict involves larger groups of people and public issues, not
personal matters.
• For example, conflicts between different communities over economic,
cultural, religious, or ethnic issues are political situations.
6. Violence and Politics
WHAT IS POLITICS: THEORIZING THE POLITICAL
What is Politics
• Politics refers to both a social activity and a field of study.
• Aristotle was among the first to use "Politics" as a title for his work,
focusing on this subject as a separate branch of study.
• Many modern scholars also study politics in this sense. Examples include
works by Henry Sidgwick, Harold Laski, and others, where 'politics' is
treated as a subject of academic inquiry.
• Terms like 'Comparative Politics' or 'International Politics' are examples of
how politics is studied as an academic discipline.
• Some universities use 'Politics' and 'Political Science' as interchangeable
terms. For instance, the University of Delhi has a Political Science
department, while the University of Bombay calls it the Department of
Civics and Politics.
Common Misconceptions About Politics
• Layman’s View: Many people think politics is only about elections,
parliaments, and political parties, and not about other aspects of life.
• Another common view is that politics is just about party politics, personal
opinions, or the tricks of politicians to gain power.
• This leads to a negative perception of politics, where it is often seen as
dishonest, manipulative, or something only scoundrels engage in.
• Politics is sometimes dismissed as a 'dirty game,' and students or
intellectuals (like judges) are often advised to stay away from it.
Scientific Study of Politics
, • To study politics scientifically, it's important to remove these
misconceptions and understand it with precision.
• The word 'politics' comes from the Greek word 'polis', meaning city-state.
In ancient Greece, politics was about the activities of citizens in the state.
• Traditionally, politics was seen as the 'science of the state', focusing on
state institutions and the idea of a perfect state.
• Modern thinkers have expanded this view. They see politics not just as
something happening in formal state institutions but as a process that
affects the entire society.
What is a Political Situation?
• A 'political situation' refers to when there is conflict or disagreement, and
the goal is to resolve it.
• Alan Ball: Politics involves disagreements and attempts to resolve them.
• Stephen L. Wasby: Politics exists where there is controversy or debate. If
there are no issues, there is no politics.
• J.D.B. Miller: Politics involves the use of government to resolve conflict,
either by causing change or preventing change.
What Qualifies as a Political Situation?
• For something to be called a 'political situation', it must involve conflict or
disagreement at a public level, not just private disagreements (e.g., a fight
between two children over a toy or a disagreement between a husband and
wife).
• A political conflict involves larger groups of people and public issues, not
personal matters.
• For example, conflicts between different communities over economic,
cultural, religious, or ethnic issues are political situations.
6. Violence and Politics
