Defining Politics
Merriam Webster dictionary defines politics as science or art of government (Merriam Webster, 1). When engaging in politics, people seek to guide or influence government policies or winning and upholding control over the government. When defined as an art and science, there is uncertainty about the meaning of politics. This essay discusses why referring to politics as both science and art causes confusion and uncertainty about the word’s importance.
The dictionary definition causes significant confusion because science and art are distinct, and it complicates an understanding of politics if it is both science and art. Science is used to enhance knowledge through systematic methodology and relies on evidence. When politics is considered from this perspective, it implies that political processes involve a standard formula of doing things. Globally, every aspect of politics demonstrates that politicians differ in their activities because some follow identifiable principles like socialism or capitalism, while others develop less conventional methods. The absence of a standard formula for leadership makes politics unlikely to meet the definition as a science.
Politics is better defined as an art than science. According to the dictionary definition, art is applying human creative skills to produce visual works or exhibitions that can be appreciated for their emotional effect. An example of art is a musical concert where musicians express their feelings and advocate for change through their music. There are different music forms, like reggae, Country music, Hip hop, and many more. When politics is regarded as an art, politicians will engage in their creativity to influence their followers’ emotions because art is useful for impressing. All artists, similar to politicians, focuses on their perception about nature and proceeds to create an impression that will equally excite their audience. While there is significant evidence to demonstrate that politics is art, the concept can be appreciated as science in limited ways, particularly when defining political systems. Several systems are identified based on the behavior of the leaders. Some of these systems are; socialism, capitalism, dictatorship, democracies, or monarchies. While these systems have similar characteristics, there are differences within each system that may make it challenging to place a political system in any art or science category. When considering the argument above, defining politics as science creates uncertainty because it is challenging to apply systematic methodology.
Politicians are more artists than scientists. Politicians are famous for holding rallies, conventions, and debates to implore voters to elect them. The process of seeking votes involves a tedious yet artistic approach than it would be a science. When a politician has learned about the voters’ expectations, they capitalize on them and create their manifesto to reflect those needs with promises they will address. When leaders package a political message that impresses the voter, they readily agree to vote in the intended direction. When developing their campaign strategy and language, a politician’s ultimate intention is to woe followers and ensure they get a leadership position. Therefore, their approach when delivering a message to one group may differ significantly from the technique used in another group.
The definition that is associating politics with government limits understanding of what politics mean. While this is true, politics is a broad concept covering other human life areas outside government formation. Other elements of politics are not related to the government, making the standard definition incomprehensive. Politics involves other non-governmental issues like; how a household defines the role of father and mother, how an elder son takes control of affairs at home in the parents’ absence, and how communities teach respect. Therefore, a broader definition of politics should imply that it is an art of public life. When public life is political, it allows for a more general application of the term to include non-government activities. Aristotle, a Greek Philosopher, supports this assertion in the book ‘Polities.‘ Given this philosopher, “man is by nature a political animal,” which suggests that every aspect of man’s life is political (Mulgan, 233, 5).
Every aspect of human life that involves association with others is political. What people do like; business, worship, or associations have significant elements of politics, making it a concept that is challenging to define (Thejls Ziegler, 347, 8). Leaders engage their subjects in debates where they influence their decisions in ways that benefit either of them. When Aristotle realized this value of politics, he concluded that ‘the good life’ could occur only within a political community (Mulgan, 300). After developing a consensus that politics is involved in every critical aspect of human life, a new definition of the term expands the meaning to include the word’s moral role.
Politics is a moral activity essential for creating a ‘just society.’ When politics’ meaning includes a moral action, it will be looked upon to shape society’s behavior. Politicians engage in acts that they expect to benefit the community through education or material and policy initiatives. A new definition of the term as involving moral activity will ensure politicians do not engage in uncivil wooing voters to support them. In politics, somebody will develop morality from an early age, where children don’t expect goodies that their parents don’t fulfill. Children will also learn that they should act honestly. These initiatives eventually contribute to a noble character.
Politics’ definition as either science or art is biased in one area. Based on this essay’s argument, it is clear that politics is more of an art than a science. The dictionary meaning of politics implies that it is limited to a government disputed in this essay. There is a need for a broader definition of politics to involve the non-government aspect.
Works Cited
Merriam Webster., Politics noun, plural in form but singular or plural in construction. Accessed https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/politics
Mulgan, Richard G. Aristotle’s political theory. Clarendon Press, (1987): 213-321.
The Ziegler, Marianne. “Moral Integrity: Challenges of Defining a Shapeless Concept.” Business and Professional Ethics Journal 39.3 (2020): 347-364.