Policy

We tell you what politics is, its history and what it is for. In addition, its characteristics, the types that exist and their definition according to different authors.

What is politics?

Politics is the set of decisions, actions and discussions that take place in a society to organize it. Thus, it involves thinking about how the government works, how laws are made, how available resources are distributed, and how problems in the community are resolved..

Politics refers to everything that has to do with power and the way important decisions are made in a country. In this sense, it helps to elect the representatives of society and the laws that serve to solve everyday problems.

Furthermore, politics is the practice of state government. It takes into account citizen participation, since in most countries it is organized through different devices that belong to democratic systems.

A democracy or democratic system is a form of government in which political power is derived from the representative election of the people. In democracies, citizens elect their representatives to occupy positions of power. Politics operates in the relationships that exist between these representative positions and the people who elect them.

What is politics for?

Politics is conceived as a means of citizen participation, as a way of governing public affairs and the peaceful dispute for power, and serves to express the different voices of those who participate in a society.

Through politics, citizens who live in the territory that is part of a State can decide and actively participate in the way life in that place is governed and legally regulated.

Furthermore, it is a fair and peaceful way to guarantee the protection of people's basic rights, resolve conflicts that may arise in a society, make decisions, promote public well-being and distribute the resources that correspond to a State.

Policy Features

Politics is an important part of how societies are governed and decisions are made in a country. It has to do with how leaders are chosen, how laws are made, and how problems that affect everyone are solved.

Its main features are:

• decision making. Politics involves deciding what to do in important situations that affect society.
• Power and authority. It's about who has the power to make decisions and how that power is exercised.
• Elections. In democratic politics, citizens vote to elect their leaders and representatives.
• Laws and regulations. It involves the creation and application of rules that guide people's behavior.
• political parties. Organized groups are created that present different ideas and seek the support of voters.
• Interests and groups. Like-minded people come together to influence political decisions.
• Citizen participation. It implies that people can express their opinions and make their voices heard.
• Public welfare. Politics seeks the benefit of the community as a whole, not just certain individuals.
• Negotiation and debate. In politics, people argue and negotiate to reach agreements on important issues.
• Rights and responsibilities. Citizens have rights, such as the right to vote, but they also have responsibilities towards society.

Etymology and origin of politics

The word politics comes from the Greek copwhich is what cities were called in Ancient Greece. It was also used to refer to the entire citizenry. It is derived from it politikewhich means “relative to citizens.”

Aristotle (384-322 BC) introduced the term with his work Politikawhich translates as “city affairs.” There he developed his political doctrines, in which he explained how institutions should relate to the daily lives of individuals.

Politics as conceived by Aristotle was based on the ideas of community, government and reason. For the Greek philosopher, every society had to be organized around happiness as the general objective of all people.

In this way, he defined the human being as zoon politikonwhich translates as “political animal.” This idea refers to how human beings are animals that live in cities, where they share their lives according to moral concepts such as justice.

In addition to the work of Aristotle, the work is considered Republicby Plato (427-347 BC), is one of the first political treatises in history. The works of these philosophers, along with some others, such as The princeby Niccolò Machiavelli (1469-1527), or Leviathanby Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679), shaped the way politics is understood from its beginnings to today.

Types of policy

There are several types of policies that address different aspects of society and its relationship with the government through the State:

• Government policy. It refers to the actions and decisions taken by the government in relation to the administration of the State, the formulation of laws, the implementation of public policies and the management of resources.
• Foreign policy. It involves the decisions and strategies of a country in its relations with other nations. It includes diplomacy, international cooperation, trade agreements and international conflict resolution.
• Economic policy. It refers to government decisions related to a country's economy, such as economic regulation, fiscal policy (taxes and spending), monetary policy (currency and inflation management), and the promotion of economic growth.
• Social policy. It addresses issues related to social welfare and equality, such as education, health, housing, social security and the protection of human rights.
• Environmental policy. It deals with the management and conservation of natural resources, pollution regulation, climate change mitigation and other environmental concerns.
• Security policy. It involves decisions about national security, defense, and the prevention of internal and external threats, such as terrorism and crime.
• Cultural policy. It deals with the promotion and preservation of cultural identity and diversity, as well as the enactment of policies for arts, cultural education and heritage.
• Gender policy. It focuses on gender equality and addressing issues related to discrimination, gender violence and the equal participation of men and women in society.
• Technology policy. It involves decisions about the development and regulation of technologies, as well as their impact on society, privacy and cybersecurity.

Furthermore, each of these types of policies usually corresponds to an institutional apparatus in the State. In countries like Argentina, where there are different ministries that work in each aspect of society, there is a Ministry of Economy, a Ministry of Women and a Ministry of Social Development, among others.

Politics according to different authors

Throughout history, many philosophers and thinkers developed different conceptions of politics. These definitions reflect different philosophical approaches to the nature and purpose of politics in society. Each philosopher approached this concept from their own perspective and historical context.

• Aristotle (384-322 BC). He believed that politics was the “science of the organization of human communities.” He considered that politics focused on the search for the common good and the creation of a just and equitable social order.
• Niccolò Machiavelli (1469-1527). He argued that politics was about the acquisition and exercise of power in the context of political reality. For him, politics often involves difficult and strategic decisions to maintain the stability and security of the State.
• Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778). He saw politics as the pursuit of the “social contract,” an agreement in which people give up some of their individual freedom to form a community that works for the benefit of all. Its focus was on the direct participation of the people in decision-making.
• John Locke (1632-1704). He considered that politics had to do with the protection of individual rights and property. He believed in limiting the power of government through the consent of the governed and the separation of powers.

political science

Political science is the study of how decisions are made in government and how societies function politically. It focuses on understanding how leaders are chosen, how laws are made, and how problems are solved in a country. It also explores how people influence decisions through elections, protests, and other forms of participation.

For example, when a president is elected in a country, political scientists analyze how citizens vote and how votes are counted to determine who wins. They also study how leaders make laws and how these laws affect individuals in their daily lives.

Today, in addition, political science investigates how social networks and the media influence people's opinions and elections. It also looks at how governments deal with global problems, such as climate change, and how decisions in one country can have an impact elsewhere in the world.

References

• Bunge, M. (2010). Political philosophy. GEDISA Publishing.
• Kymlicka, W., & Gargarella, R. (1995). Contemporary political philosophy. Ariel Publishing.
• Strauss, L. (2006). Hobbes's political philosophy. Economic culture background.
• Duso, G., Ricciardi, M., & Scattola, M. (2005). Power: for a history of modern political philosophy. 21st century.