Politics and Power

Defining politics is difficult because there is no generally accepted definition. However, politics has a number of different definitions that all relate to power in some shape or form. Whether it be politics within personal relationships or between nations, there will always be power involved. My understanding of politics is a lot clearer now than it has ever been. Before this class, i thought politics only involved the government. The word politics has several different meanings and no matter how it's defined, it has an ultimate connection to the use of power.

Politics is a term that has a variety of different definitions. Every definition relates directly to the possession and exercise of power. "It doesn't always involve the government and it should be understood as something that exists in all ongoing or sustained interactions or relationships among people."(pg. 22) Politics is about governing and governments or decision making in the family, society, the workplace, classroom, the church, or other kinds of relationships"(pg. 23) When discussing the politics within a relationship, we know that power is often used. There's always someone in the relationship who holds the power to make the decisions or set the rules. "Politics involves the allocation of values and resources or deciding who gets what, when and how."(pg. 23) Another form of politics is what exists within the political system. The government has the power to formally execute and enforce laws upon it's citizens. This directly relates to the use of power in order to keep peace within our country. "Aristotle believes that politics exists for the sake of a good life"(pg. 28) This definition relates to the politics within the state because it is based on the attempt to reach equality with the use of power. In his opinion, politics is a moral way to make things better for the good of everyone. This definition indirectly relates to power because in order to sustain these moral view of politics, one must use power to enforce and control these good values. Marxism views politics as an ultimate conflict between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat. Marx believes that the conflict between the owners of the businesses and their workers pervades all other relationships in capitalist societies. The bourgeoisie uses the sate for it's power and exploitation over the proletariats. "This domination pervades the entire society, including