“Isn’t politics only relevant during elections?”
You may have thought this once or twice. But if you had to walk back home this morning because of a bus strike, or if your local library changed its hours without notice - you were already affected by politics. In fact, politics is far closer and more woven into our daily lives than we often realize.
What Is Politics, Really?
When we think of politics, we often imagine something grand or remote - battles in Congress, presidential speeches, and heated election campaigns. While those are certainly part of it, the essence of politics lies in the decisions and rules we make together to live in a society. That means politics operates in every part of our lives.
Politics is the art of shaping public life. Consider your neighborhood park. If it expanded recently, it likely started with a citizen complaint, followed by a city councilor securing funds, and municipal officials designing and building the project. That walking path you enjoy? It’s a political outcome.
Or take free school meals, now common through middle school in South Korea. Once a hot political issue, this policy became reality through the combination of civic advocacy and policy decisions. Even the lunch your child eats is a product of politics.
Why Does Politics Feel So Distant?
Many people find politics confusing, irritating, or even distasteful. Why? Because political processes often feel opaque. Most policies are discussed behind closed doors, decided by experts, and we simply receive the results. This lack of transparency turns us into mere spectators and spectators, naturally, lose interest.
The media’s portrayal doesn’t help either. It emphasizes conflict, drama, and personalities over substantive discussions. As a result, politics feels exhausting rather than empowering.
But real political science is different. It’s an intellectual lens to view society: how we relate to others, resolve problems, allocate power, and define justice. It's a crucial part of civic education and everyday citizenship.
Everyday Political Science: A New Perspective
This blog aims to trace the overlooked political elements in our daily lives and ask the fundamental question: what is politics? We’ll explore how to engage politically beyond voting and why politics should be part of everyone's vocabulary.
Politics isn't just about distant countries or the nightly news. It's at your dinner table, on your child’s way to school, and in the notifications from your bank.
We hope this journey into political understanding helps you see the world with new eyes.
Understanding Politics: Concepts, Roles, Everyday Impact
1️⃣ What Is Politics?
Politics is interpreted in various ways based on how one understands society, power, and human behavior. Still, most scholars agree: politics is the process of making decisions to resolve public issues.
-
Aristotle called humans “political animals,” emphasizing our need to engage in community life.
-
Max Weber saw politics as the legitimate use of force by the state to implement laws and policies.
-
David Easton described it as “the authoritative allocation of values”deciding who gets what and how.
Ultimately, politics is how we manage conflicts, distribute resources, and plan our collective future.
2️⃣ The Five Core Functions of Politics
Politics does more than create laws. It provides the framework for orderly social life:
| Function | Description |
|---|---|
| 1. Order Maintenance | Establishes laws and institutions to prevent chaos. |
| 2. Resource Allocation | Decides who receives public goods like healthcare or education. |
| 3. Social Integration | Balances differing opinions and creates societal unity. |
| 4. Political Socialization | Teaches citizens values through education and media. |
| 5. Representation & Participation | Reflects public opinion and provides ways to engage. |
When these functions break down, society becomes unstable. That’s why politics isn’t just for politicians - it’s vital to all of us.
3️⃣ Politics in Daily Life
Politics isn’t abstract. Your everyday experiences reflect political decisions:
-
Meals: School lunches, food labeling, and taxes on ingredients are all political.
-
Housing and Transit: Loan regulations, subway fares, and redevelopment approvals stem from policy.
-
Education and Healthcare: Textbooks, hospital budgets, and doctor availability are shaped by politics.
You may survive without knowing politics, but knowing it helps shape your future.
4️⃣ Common Misunderstandings About Politics
-
❌ “Politics is corrupt.”
→ Corruption thrives when citizen participation and oversight are weak. -
❌ “Politics has nothing to do with me.”
→ It influences everything from housing prices to climate policy. -
❌ “Voting is enough.”
→ Voting is just one form of engagement. Dialogue, protests, petitions, and monitoring also matter.
To overcome these myths, we need better civic education, normalized participation, and responsible media.
5️⃣ New Ways to Participate
Political engagement is evolving beyond parties and elections:
-
Digital Politics:
Social media campaigns, YouTube discussions, online petitions (e.g., Blue House petitions in Korea). -
Local Action:
Join school councils, community boards, or neighborhood advocacy groups. -
Watchdog Role:
Monitor city council records or interact with local officials online.
This shift transforms citizens from passive consumers to active producers of democracy.
Bringing Politics Home
Politics isn't just about shouting matches in parliament. It's behind your subway fare, your child’s curriculum, the radio show you enjoy, and even the streetlights that guide you home at night.
Understanding politics means recognizing its presence in your life. Taking interest, speaking up, and acting locally means taking ownership of your future.
🌱 Politics Is Possibility
Politics is the art of managing conflict, the skill of compromise, and the imagination to design a better future. The more informed and active the citizens, the more just and humane our society becomes.
We are all political beings. Learning politics means understanding who you are, what kind of society you want, and how you can help build it.
Let that journey start here. Today.
Post a Comment