What is Politics? 

Every Friday afternoon, we meet at the famous Java restaurant, plays host to what my friend likes to call “bff bonding time.” This Friday is no different. We sit down with our regular order “Dawa” for me and Caramel Frappuccino for him. As we absorb the aroma of the coffee beans and enjoy the therapeutic beauty of the fresh open air.  He could not help but comment on the “perfect smile” right in front of him,  he looked right at home. 
“So Beline, what are you going to write about on your next blog post?” I looked clueless. When he asks a question about such, he doesn’t expect an answer; he already has a suggestion in mind. So he dared me to write on politics, a topic that he knows I am a bit reserved in.  Anyway, I agree to take the challenge.

It has been a year full of political moods in my country. From political mergers to finally the unprecedented court decision (another presidential elections). This is a topic that my mum never wants me to be involved in. More so on social media platform. She has her dismay. Maybe she thinks, that it will endanger my life, because of the fear  of “people” viewing me as radical. What she doesn’t know is that, I can never be radical when it comes to it. I am open minded, and I give credits where I feel it is due. I am not biased in terms of ethical differences, religion, race etc. Ideologically, I am.

“What usually comes into your mind on hearing the word politics?” I ask my friend. ‘Corruption, government (poor governance), names of politicians, tribalism, extra judicial killings, ignorance, impunity…’ the above was his answer. I could not help but notice that all his answers depicted politics in a negative way, contrary to what it should be. I believe these are the same sentiments shared by majority if not all. The actual definition of the word is almost unknown because of such clichés and representation in politics.

The word politics originated from a Greek word “polis” meaning the state or a community as a whole. To them polis was an ideal state. I like the word “ideal” it means, an ultimate standard of perfection.

There are variety of definition in regards to politics by different scholars. According to Lasswellian “Politics is the process of who gets what, when, and how.” David Easton also defines political system as those interactions through which values are authoritatively allocated for a society. While Robert Dahl defines political system as any persistent pattern of human relationships that involves power, rule, or authority. Max Weber states “A political association exists if the enforcement of its order is carried out continually within a given territorial area by the application and threat of physical force.”

I define Politics as the activity through which people make, preserve and amend the general rules under which they live. Politics is linked to the phenomena of conflict and cooperation. This is because in conflict there is competition between opposing forces, reflecting a diversity of opinions, preferences, needs or interest. And cooperation, is the working together, achieving goals through collective action. Despite the existence of rival opinions, different wants, competing needs and opposing interest disagreement about the rules under which people live.  The same individuals recognize that, in order to influence these rules or ensure that they are upheld, they must work with each other despite their differences. (Politics is the cooperation and conflicts between individuals, groups, classes)

Majority of people engage in politics not even knowing the definition of it. In my own observation, I feel that it is only the politicians and elite who knows and practice the true definition of politics coz they normally disagree to agree. What has been happening in the Kenyan news in the recent is example of it. Yet to the common “Mwanainchi” (citizen), they end up creating permanent enemies and rivalry. “Politics” has led to massive increase of tribalism, corruption, poor governance and leadership, uneven distribution of resources among other things. This is because we are ignorant to its definition. We do what we do not knowing its meaning.

In contrary to the local notion that politics is a “pigs” game that anybody involved must be prepared to get “really dirty”. Politics should be a gentle persons games of ideology and principle for the betterment of the nation. 

Author: Beline Nyangi

Beline is an International Relations Professional. She holds an MSc. degree in Conflict and Governance from University of Amsterdam. She has competence and interest in social policy research advisory and implementation in the areas of peace and security, transitional justice, human rights, refugee rights, immigration and social justice. She enjoys traveling, drinking "dawa", good books and rich and thoughtful conversation. View all posts by Beline Nyangi