Election Year Politics
Usually, when the term “election year politics” is used, it is with a negative connotation. As if politics in non-election years is better. The underlying theme, though, seems to be that politics is bad. But is it?
Certainly, many of the participants in the political process – “politicians” – are bad actors. But does that make the process bad? I would suppose that it depends on your definition of the term politics.
To research this, I went to www.dictionary.com and looked it up. Here is their definition (why they get to choose what the definition is, instead of me choosing the definition is for another time):
1.
the science or art of political government.2.
the practice or profession of conducting political affairs.3.
political affairs: The advocated reforms have become embroiled in politics.4.
political methods or maneuvers: We could not approve of his politics in winning passage of the bill.5.
political principles or opinions: We avoided discussion of religion and politics. His politics are his own affair.6.
use of intrigue or strategy in obtaining any position of power or control, as in business, university, etc.7.
(initial capital letter, italics) a treatise (4th century b.c.) by Aristotle, dealing with the structure, organization, and administration of the state, esp. the city-state as known in ancient Greece.
On the surface, are any of these really bad? I don’t think so, though #6 could be argued, perhaps. But even then, is the use of intrigue or strategy bad in and of itself? Again, I don’t think so.
So what is left is the intent of the use of the methods or maneuvers, intrigue or strategy. If these are used for “good” intentions, then all should be well. If, however, they are used for “bad” intentions, then that seems to be where politics gets its bad name.
So then, who decides what is good or bad? My idea is a good one, unless you don’t agree. Your idea is a bad one, if it is in conflict with my good idea. But if politics is as described above, doesn’t the good/bad perception depend solely on which side of the argument you are on?
