When most people think of the terms politics or political, it is in relation to the concept of governance. The kinds of acts that tend to come to mind are voting for or against candidates, lobbying for or against a position, and the various structural or ceremonial aspects of governing. While there is no question that the role of government in society is political, in nature, so too is almost every other aspect of our lives as well.
In families, workplaces and social groups, we select leaders or, often times, they "elect" themselves. This rarely is accomplished by a formal voting system, but in many ways, it's not as different as we may think.
Lobbying is nothing more than trying to persuade someone to your position. We each lobby spouses/partners, offspring, parents, other relatives, co-workers, friends, neighbors and even ourselves on a daily basis. We try to show that our favored idea or strategy is the best one to follow and none of us can say that we don't try to sway others, from time to time, with a little bribery to try to sweeten the pot!
Governing takes place in our jobs, families, social relations, churches and, again, within ourselves. We undertake these efforts because we desire to control and direct the life that goes on around us. I know of very few people who do not want the power to exercise influence over others.
I know a lot of folks who say they have no interest in politics and that it should be left to the politicians. Needless to say, I laugh at such statements because, in our own ways, each of us IS a politician! Try as we might, there is no way to escape this role...except, maybe, in death. As long as we are alive and have our wits about us, we continually try to affect outcomes via small "p" politics.
This brief little explanation in terms is a set-up for my next post. So, are you on the edge of your seat?
In families, workplaces and social groups, we select leaders or, often times, they "elect" themselves. This rarely is accomplished by a formal voting system, but in many ways, it's not as different as we may think.
Lobbying is nothing more than trying to persuade someone to your position. We each lobby spouses/partners, offspring, parents, other relatives, co-workers, friends, neighbors and even ourselves on a daily basis. We try to show that our favored idea or strategy is the best one to follow and none of us can say that we don't try to sway others, from time to time, with a little bribery to try to sweeten the pot!
Governing takes place in our jobs, families, social relations, churches and, again, within ourselves. We undertake these efforts because we desire to control and direct the life that goes on around us. I know of very few people who do not want the power to exercise influence over others.
I know a lot of folks who say they have no interest in politics and that it should be left to the politicians. Needless to say, I laugh at such statements because, in our own ways, each of us IS a politician! Try as we might, there is no way to escape this role...except, maybe, in death. As long as we are alive and have our wits about us, we continually try to affect outcomes via small "p" politics.
This brief little explanation in terms is a set-up for my next post. So, are you on the edge of your seat?
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