Politics is an unwelcomed guest in many venues and conversations. I live in a continuing care retirement community where political conversations are discouraged, assuming politics will disrupt community relationships. Some religious organizations have a taboo on mixing politics with theology. Politicians have a reputation of equivocating the truth, and sometimes even lying.
Politics is often defined as unsavory and a diversion from honest interactions among good people. For some there is a pervasive fear that entering into political dialogue will raise conflicting opinions and passions that will in some way risk the cohesion necessary for healthy community life. Political scientist Harold Lasswell has sarcastically said, “politics is about ‘who gets what, when, and how.'”
Yet, participating in politics is unavoidable in a democratic society where every citizen has a responsibility for influencing governance, with their vote and by maintaining communication with elected officials. Politics is the process by which groups and individuals make decisions, share resources and resolve conflicts within a society.
The word comes from the ancient Greek word polis, which means “city” or “affairs of the city.” Running a state, creating laws, writing policies and managing public institutions are key ways to understand politics. Political discourse uses debate, negotiation, compromise and diplomacy to solve disagreements without resorting to physical violence.
One may say that political dialogue gives energy and excitement, generates reasoning and clarifies beliefs and opinions. Pete Seeger has observed, “The moment you bring human beings together, you’re in politics. Whether you call it religion, science or education or drinking beer or football, you’re affecting the body politic. And when you affect the body politic, you’re in politics, whether you call it politics or not.” This is particularly true in a democratic society where each person contributes to the life of the whole community.
However, political discourse and action fail when they become a power struggle for absolute control and wealth. When it is perceived that life is a zero-sum game, then politics becomes a competition to wrench control of resources, money, and power away from the opponent. Rather than pooling ideas and talents to solve issues, actions are devious and divisive. The body politic is pulled apart. There are only winners and losers. Community collapses. This is the situation that we are facing in our government and society today.
The news reports repeat the same questions day after day — which political party will take control after the election? How will they do it? And how much money can a candidate raise to run their campaign? Considerable amounts of that money are being spent on negative advertisements. For example, the Massachusetts television networks are carrying scurrilous innuendoes about one of the New Hampshire candidates running for the Senate. This senate race will help determine which party controls the U.S. Senate — wealth and power!
Also, some time ago when I was moving through the hallways of Congress on a lobbying mission, I noticed senators and representatives being treated with deference and obeisance. Over and over they were told with words of praise and flattering inflections how important they were. I began to understand how difficult it must be to maintain any sense of humility in such a climate. Rather, the temptation is to accept the exaggerated compliments as permission to wield personal power.
One way to overcome the temptation is to be reminded that equity is a primary value in a democracy. Politicians are servants elected from the populous. They are citizens representing the electorate, not superior autocrats. They are not to be idolized. Nor are they to be automatically scorned as the corrupt “other.” They may be thanked for faithful representation, challenged when they fall short.
All of the rest of us, rich or poor needy or successful, join the political realm when we advocate for the well-being of others. For example, healthcare, public education and poverty are all enmeshed in politics. As servants in a democracy we are obligated to create and operate a political system that is designed to meet these and other needs.
The challenge is not to get the better of an opponent but to focus together on the needs of our neighbors. The goal of politics is not domination. The antidote for corrupt politics is humility. In humility, political discourse may be welcomed among us, as well as in my residential community. We become the body politic, seeking the welfare of all people. We are a political people of one nation seeking freedom and justice for all.
John Buttrick writes from his Vermont Folk Rocker in his Concord home, Minds Crossing.