'Thinking Politically: On the Politics of Politics' Chapter 1 by Adrian Leftwich

Introduction: Argument and Issues

Defining Politics

  • The question "What is politics?" is complex and raises further inquiries.

    • Key Questions:

      • Is politics universal across societies?

      • Is it confined to specific societies or institutions?

      • Can certain societies exist without politics?

      • Is it tied solely to public policy and societal issues, or is it present in all organisations and group interactions?

      • Does it encompass activities like bargaining or family discussions?

  • Frans de Waal's Contribution

    • In "Chimpanzee Politics," de Waal defines politics in chimpanzees as "social manipulation to secure and maintain influential positions" (de Waal, 1982: 212).

    • Similarity is noted with Harold Lasswell’s definition of politics as "the study of influence and the influential" (Lasswell, 1958).

  • Focus of the Book

    • The book aims to address:

      • What constitutes politics?

      • The variations in political activity and its conceptualisation.

Understanding the Definition of Politics

Importance of Operational Definitions:

  • Clarifies what students study in Political Science.

    • There is a need for a consistent understanding across different educational contexts.

    • Variations across countries:

      • USA: Focus on federal systems, parties, elections, and public opinion. 

      • UK: Greater emphasis on political philosophy, institutions, and historical context. 

      • South Africa: Study of history, institutional character, and post-apartheid dynamics.

Common Concerns Across Disciplines

  • Despite differences, common ground exists, focused on power analysis.

    • Disciplinary debates are inherently political, and this approach impacts the understanding and teaching of politics.

The Need for a Definition of Politics

  1. Establishing Common Ground

    1. It is essential to identify foundational concepts across different political studies.

      • Aligning interpretations enhances interdisciplinary discussions, unlike medical disciplines, where terminologies are uniform.

  2. Influence of Definitions on Methodology

    1. Definitions shape analytical approaches and methodologies in studying politics.

      1. Example: The fall of apartheid showcases how differing definitions can lead to diverse interpretations of political events.

      2. Three Major Explanatory Approaches:

        • Structural Explanations: Focus on societal factors, such as industrialisation and social class structure, which impact political changes (example from Tanzi, 1998).

        • Agency Explanations: Highlights the roles of individuals/agents, such as Mandela and de Klerk.

        • Combined Approaches: Interaction between structural factors and agents is critical for nuanced analysis.

  3. Clarity in Thought and Discussion

    1. Political philosophy enriches discussion by establishing clearer frameworks for understanding.

      • Encourages active listening in political discourse.

A Simple Classification of Meanings of Politics

Types of Meaning of Politics

  • Process vs. Arena:

    • Arena Approach: Politics as activities happening in specific institutions (e.g., governments).

    • Process Approach: Politics as a broader, pervasive interaction found in all human interactions.

  • Extensive vs. Limited Approaches

    • Limited: Politics confined to formal governmental processes.

    • Extensive: Recognises political interactions in all forms of institutions, including informal or private entities.

  • Science vs. Interpretation

    • Divided into those seeking to discover broader patterns (scientific) and those emphasising the uniqueness of political episodes (interpretative).

  • It is essential to consider methodology in political analysis.

The Discipline of Politics

Understanding Politics as a Discipline

  • Definition: Politics is an organised field concerned primarily with power and its various manifestations.

    • Shared Concerns: Focus on different facets of political power across contexts, operational definitions, cultural narratives, and institutional arrangements.

    • Different knowledge systems (Political Science, Political Philosophy) approach the inquiry in various ways.

  • Interaction and Evolution of Disciplines

    • Disciplines are not static; they evolve with environmental and political changes.

      • Interdisciplinary Connections: Political epistemology connects firmly with sociology, economics, and history in understanding collective human behaviour.

Conclusion: Thinking Politically

  • Political Definitions as Political Processes:

    • Understanding definitions arises from the interplay of ideas, interests, and power structures.

  • Unified Concern Around Power: Despite varying approaches, the focus remains on power dynamics and implications for societal structure.

  • Importance of Conceptual Frameworks:

There is a need for analytical constructs alongside observed political phenomena to influence how the facts of politics are interpreted and understood.

Further Questions and Answers

  1. What characterises an arena-based definition of politics?

  2. What characterises a process-based definition of politics?

  3. Why does it matter how we define the word politics?

  4. What is Leftwich's own definition of politics?

People to know:

  • Vito Tanzi (born 1935):

    • is an Italian economist known for his work on public finance, corruption, and the role of government in the economy. He served as Director of the Fiscal Affairs Department at the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Tanzi is primarily known for the “Tanzi effect,” which describes how inflation reduces government tax revenue by eroding the real value of tax collections.