As I reflect on our American History, country, global relationships, neighbors next door, personal relationships, work, healthcare, food, and even religious beliefs; I can’t think of a single thing we do, or even the air we breath that doesn’t involve politics. Our American history if fraught with negotiations or expression of power through a political agenda. Everything in our lives are politics at some scale. Let’s first examine the definition of politics.
Aristotle is believed to be the father or political science. His description is as follows:
“Aristocracy, in theory, is the next-best constitution after monarchy (because the ruling minority will be the best-qualified to rule), but in practice Aristotle preferred a kind of constitutional democracy, for what he called “polity” is a state in which rich and poor respect each other’s rights and the best-qualified citizens rule with the consent of all.”
(source britanica.com)
Definition of Politics: noun
Oxford Languages
“the activities associated with the governance of a country or other area, especially the debate or conflict among individuals or parties having or hoping to achieve power.”
I think by dictionary definition and even by Aristotle’s definition, we can see that it’s about power and negotiation at it’s root. I can’t think of a single thing that I do in a day that doesn’t involve a negotiation to derive an amicable outcome between two or more parties/groups. Heck, I even have a political relationship with my dog and cat, but I digress.
So how did I come to this conclusion and why is this important. There are several key factors:
- Every day we negotiate:
- With a partner, a child, a boss, a coworker, and quite frankly every living thing you come in contact with that has free will
- Looking for the best outcome for all impacted by decision
- Look at all factors that could create a negative/positive outcome for some or many
- The outcome is determined by someone who gains power representing the best interests of all parties
Sometimes that decision is reached via a consensus and sometimes someone dominates the decision by exuding more power or dominance over others as the “decision maker”. Take your manager at work; they were given that power over you to make a decision about what you do at work. They may allow for a negotiation on an outcome or direction, but they have the ultimate authority to manage progress toward a larger goal defined by the company you work for and your interest in the outcome isn’t a factor. It’s important to understand, the left seeks social justice through redistributive social and economic policies, while the right defends private property and capitalism. When the left swings too far it becomes socialism. Capitalism is very right leaning and when it swings too far it becomes fascism. The best companies and work environments who have long term success, values the employees, their happiness, and their contributions and balance left and right values. Do you want to work for a fascist who only cares about the bottom line at the cost of your well being? Or do you want to work for a socialist who masks your contributions to the point that you never rise above with a promotion or a raise? I believe the answer for most of us is SOMEWHERE IN BETWEEN.
At home, you may have a more equal negotiating power, but as most of us know, when the decision can’t be reach amicably, someone imposes dominance and someone walks away defeated and with a material loss in some cases. The end goal of a successful democracy is to place value of both perspectives between a capitalist and socialist values and balance the teetering swing somewhere in the middle to promote value for all. This may require a swing far left or right on some issues to rebalance the swing when the issue is left unattended and become broken in some way.
Even “LOVE” has politics involved. While you might love someone unconditionally, there still is a “dance” performed when the love has reach some boundaries not yet encountered. You may still love someone but there ebbs and flows of that love based on political changes in your relationship while you constantly negotiate your relationship. What are you willing to give up or what is your partner willing to give up because the combined “YOU” is worth the compromise.
Now, to my point: “EVERYTHING IS POLITICAL”
My dad believed this. He understood this and not everyone does. We think of politics as just our political “governance”, but it is in our every day lives, down to where we’re going to eat if we go out for a meal when nobody can agree. My dad understood this, period. He was a WWII vet who had to beg to enlist at 17 but had to wait till 18 as he was an only child of children of German and Scottish immigrants who weren’t thrilled with losing their only son. He served as a member of the US Military in Germany and he grew up fast. He married “Helen” in the early 50’s and became very civic minded. He became the Iowa Representative of the League of American Wheelman and helped drive the legislation for Governor Ray to sign into law giving bicyclists a right to the road. He became a City Council member in Boone, IA and defined himself as openly progressive and focused on inclusivity and righting the wrongs through listening and acting. I remember him pounding out letters to the editor on his typewriter using a lot of corrective “white out” as he reviewed his words imprinted on the paper. His words, when conflicted with my mother, included:
“Everything is Political, Helen”
Everything is Political, Dad. We need to recognize that, and the true meaning of politics according to Aristotle. We govern to an outcome that respects each others rights with the understanding that majority rules when equal representation of “all the people”. Once we understand this and understand what is at stake for someone who is on the losing end of the decision at a personal level, we start to understand the weight of these decisions when you haven’t considered the facts and impacts related to the decision. Democracy is about majority rule yet our systems are set up to limit that control of “We the People”. Over the last decades, it has manifested into putting the rule/decision with the minority of the powerful in this country. It’s time to make a change and “we the people” need to rise up and let your voices be heard and be willing to listen to those aligned with your ideals and those who aren’t because you haven’t walked in their shoes. Treat others with respect and lift up those less fortunate than yourself. Don’t bury your head in the sand and speak up. Be better, do better!
