WHAT IS POLITICS?

Politics revolves around the fundamental concept of power; how it is acquired, exercised, and maintained in various aspects of society. It isn’t just about what happens in government, rather, it permeates all areas of life, from trade unions negotiating improved working conditions to universities setting academic policies, and even within families where leadership dynamics influence decisions. 

Max Weber’s definition of politics as “Independent leadership in action” reinforces that politics manifests in any situation where power and leadership interplay. In order to fully grasp politics, one must look at its core elements: leadership, power structures, and the dynamics of domination and subordination. 

Leadership, whether authoritarian or democratic, plays a crucial role by shaping how power is wielded and guiding collective actions. Power structures, which may be formal like governmental and corporate systems or informal like community networks and historical frameworks such as India’s caste system, determine how power is distributed and maintained.

 In conclusion, politics is a multifaceted concept that transcends traditional political institutions by influencing every layer of societal interaction. It provides a lens through which we can analyze and understand the complexities of power relations in all sides from large-scale organizational settings to intimate social contexts. Offering valuable insights into creating meaningful and positive change in our world.

Politics refers to the processes, behaviors, and traditions related to governance, power, and the distribution of resources within societies. It entails the entire making, execution, and application of rules, plans, and rulings that bear on people's existences and the whole operation of groups. Politics can occur across diverse levels, such as local, national, or international, and typically involves many actors, including governments, political parties, social movements, and interest groups.

Fundamentally, politics focuses largely upon exactly who obtains precisely what, when, and how. This includes determining how multiple resources are allocated, along with how power is exercised, in addition to how decisions are made that affect the public. Politics is often understood to be how conflicts are resolved and group choices are made among social values, priorities, and interests.

BRANCHES OF THE GOVERNMENT

↳ The Branches of the Government has a goal of balancing political power throughout three branches.

1. Legislative (also known as the “Congress”) : The Maker of Laws

Seperated into 2: 

• The House of Representative: Consists of around 250 members for each state.

• The Senate: Consists of 24 members

This branch has the responsibility to: Introduce and pass bills, oversee budget and tax, declare war and regulate commence.

2. Executive: The Carrier of Laws

• Consists of the President, Vice President, and the agencies that make up the federal government.

The responsibility of: Appointing cabinet members and other officials (PRESIDENT ONLY), Enforcing laws passed by Congress, Implements policies and programs, responsible to national security and defense.

3. Judicial: The Evaluator of Laws

• The Supreme Court: the highest court and the last say regarding the interpretation of federal law.

• The Lower Federal Courts: Responsible for hearing cases related to federal jurisdiction or disputes

• The responsibility of: ensuring that the laws are applied fairly, the government acts within the constitution, protecting individual rights