239048080

Word Count: 1297

“Politics is primarily about the study of power.” How far do you agree?
INTRODUCTION

In this essay, I will argue that the focal point of political study primarily revolves
around power. The subsequent sections will substantiate this claim by delving into
the definition and attributes of each concept. It is crucial to note that the term
"politics" is inherently contested, encompassing various meanings. Heywood (2019),
in his work "Politics," categorizes political concepts into two major groups: first,
politics construed as a process, and second, politics intertwined with a specific arena
or location. Throughout the essay, an exploration of these categories will underscore
the pervasive role of power in the study of politics. By elucidating the nuanced facets
within the realms of political processes and arenas, the analysis seeks to establish
that power dynamics are predominant in the realms of political study.

1. Politics as process

According to this concept, the interpretation of politics is contingent on the behaviour

under consideration. It can manifest in any setting or social context, as long as it
continues to exhibit distinctive characteristics. Within this framework, there are two
interpretations of politics, which has a close tie to the notion of power. Firstly, politics
is directly viewed through the lens of power. In this perspective, political science is
defined as the examination of power, given its close association with the concept of
power, and it is often asserted that political activities involve a contest for power
(Partridge, 1963). This perspective sees politics operating in all social activities,
transcending any specific approach and extending to even the most minor
interactions between individuals. As argued by Laswell (1936), politics ultimately
revolves around the capacity to achieve desired outcomes through any available
means. The key defining feature is the presence of scarcity; human needs and
desires are limitless, while the resources available are invariably constrained.
Consequently, power is regarded as the instrument through which these struggles
are waged. The Feminists and Marxists are the advocates of this definition of
politics. In her work Sexual Politics (1970), Kate Millett defined politics as
relationships characterized by power structures, wherein one group of individuals is
subjected to control by another – in this case, the patriarchal society which resulted
239048080

in women subordination to male power. Whereas for Marx in Communist Manifesto

(1848), the political power is rooted in the class system, characterized by the
exploitation of the proletariat by the bourgeoisie. Hence, the initial definition distinctly
places power as the central concept in the examination of politics.

The second approach under this concept is politics as consensus. In his book, Crick
(1962) argued that politics is a form of conflict resolution, which is the process by
which activity provides conciliation between various ideas and interests. Within this
approach, power distribution is determined through the proportion of their importance
to the welfare and the survival of the whole community. According to this
interpretation, politics is a solution to a problem that prioritizes conciliation above
aggression and coercion on the part of the parties involved. The liberal–rationalist
ideas are reflected in such a perspective of politics; it is founded on the firm
conviction that debate and discussion are effective, as well as the conviction that
society is defined by consensus, rather than by conflict that cannot be resolved. In
this sense, politics can be seen as a “civilized and civilizing force” (Heywood, 2019).
For instance, the United States and the European Community resolved a dispute
over alleged unfair tax treatment by resorting to the diplomatic arbitration process of
the World Trade Organisation. Both parties reached a mutually agreeable solution
(WTO, 2006). While exhibiting a slight variation from the initial concept, it is evident
that the second perspective on consensus fundamentally centres on the notion of
power.

2. Politics as arena

This idea stems from the classical understanding of politics, where it was commonly
defined as the "exercise of control within society through the making and
enforcement of collective decisions" (Heywood, 2019). The term 'politics' originates
from 'polis,' meaning 'city-state' in Greek. In Ancient Greek society, city-states were
independent entities, each with its own system of governance. The contemporary
interpretation of this definition revolves around matters concerning the state, as
reflected in the academic tendency to focus on the structures and personnel of
government. According to this perspective, studying government, or more broadly,
examining the exercise of authority in places like cabinet rooms, legislative
chambers, government departments, and political organizations, is crucial. This
239048080

narrowed the scope of politics, shifting from being an aspect of interaction among
individuals to being limited to a specific group of people.

I find the concept of authority intriguing. Authority is essentially 'legitimate power'

conferred by specific regulations or laws, and compliance is rooted in acknowledging
the obligation to follow the directives of the person or body possessing such
authority. However, there exists a negative perception of politics, largely because the
actors involved are politicians, often perceived as individuals driven by a quest for
power, concealing personal ambitions behind the guise of public service and
ideological commitment. This unfavorable view of politics reflects a fundamentally
liberal perspective suggesting that, given individuals' self-interest, political power
tends to be corrupting. This is because it encourages those 'in power' to exploit their
positions for personal gain, often at the expense of others. The challenge, therefore,
is to ensure that politics operates within a framework of checks and constraints that
safeguard against the abuse of governmental power. To put a light on the scope of
this legitimate power, I take for example the UK's legal response to Covid-19,
particularly in the enactment of regulations governing local lockdowns by then Prime
Minister Boris Johnson (BBC, 2020), which as a politician, he had the legitimate
authority to create measures under public health emergency despite the existence of
oppositions in the country.

While the fundamental idea differs from the preceding approaches, the concept of
politics as an arena has highlighted the integral association of power within the
examination of political dynamics.

CONCLUSION

In summary, a thorough examination of politics reveals its essence as predominantly

a study of power. Both the "Politics as Process" and "Politics as Arena" concepts
within political science converge on the pivotal role of power dynamics in shaping
political interactions. The "Politics as Process" perspective, championed by theorists
like Partridge and Laswell, asserts that politics fundamentally revolves around the
exercise and distribution of power in various societal realms, a viewpoint embraced
by figures such as Kate Millett and Marx. Millett highlights power structures
perpetuating gender dynamics, while Marx identifies class systems as foundational
to political power.
239048080

Contrastingly, the "Politics as Arena" viewpoint, rooted in the classical understanding

of politics as societal control, accentuates the manifestation and distribution of
power. This perspective, with historical roots in Ancient Greek city-states,
underscores the importance of governance structures and authority in places like
cabinet rooms and legislative chambers. While these perspectives differ in their
emphasis—power struggles versus governance structures—they collectively affirm
that power is the propelling force in political processes. In essence, the study of
politics, as revealed by these concepts, underscores the inseparable connection
between politics and power, emphasizing the intricate exploration of power's
manifestations, distributions, and consequences in societal governance.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

BBC, (2020) “Covid: New restrictions in North West, Midlands, and West Yorkshire,”
BBC, 18 September 2020. Available at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-
manchester-54194804. (Accessed 30 December 2023).

Crick, B. (1962) In Defence of Politics. London: Bloomsbury.

Heywood, A. (2019) Politics. London: Bloomsbury.

Laswell, H. (1936) Politics: Who Gets What, When, How? London: McGraw-Hill
Book.

Millet, K. (1970) Sexual Politics. Champaign: University of Illinois Press.

Partridge, P. H. (1963) “Politics and Power”. Philosophy. Apr., 1963, Vol. 38, No. 144,
pp. 117-135. Cambridge university press. https://www.jstor.org/stable/3748509
(Accessed 29 December 2023).

WTO, 2006, United States – Tax Treatment for “Foreign Sales Corporations.”