The Activity and its Study: A Review of What is Politics? by Adrian Leftwich
What is Politics? The Activity and its Study by Adrian Leftwich
Politics is one of the most fascinating and complex aspects of human life. It affects almost every dimension of our existence, from our personal relationships to our collective destiny. But what exactly is politics? How can we study it? And how can we engage with it?
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These are some of the questions that this book aims to answer. Edited by Adrian Leftwich, a professor of politics at the University of York, this book is a collection of essays by some of the foremost scholars in the field. Each essay offers a succinct and coherent overview of a different conception or understanding of politics, as well as its implications for political analysis and action.
The book is divided into eight chapters, each covering a different perspective on politics. The chapters are organized around four main themes: politics as an activity, politics as a form of governing, politics as a form of collective choice, and politics as a form of rule. The book also explores the intersections and overlaps between these perspectives, as well as the challenges and opportunities they present for political actors and analysts.
In this article, I will summarize the main arguments and insights of each chapter, as well as provide some critical reflections on their strengths and weaknesses. I hope that this article will help you to appreciate the diversity and richness of political thought and practice, as well as to develop your own political awareness and engagement.
Chapter 1: Thinking Politically: On the politics of Politics by Adrian Leftwich
In this chapter, Leftwich provides an introduction to the book and its main themes. He argues that politics is a pervasive and inescapable feature of human life, and that it can be understood in different ways depending on the context and the purpose of analysis. He defines politics as "the activity through which people make, preserve and amend the general rules under which they live" (p. 3). He also identifies three dimensions of politics: the arena, the process and the outcome.
The arena of politics refers to the space or the level at which politics takes place. It can be local, national, regional or global, depending on the scope and scale of the issues and actors involved. The process of politics refers to the means or the methods by which politics is conducted. It can be formal or informal, institutional or non-institutional, peaceful or violent, depending on the rules and norms that govern political behaviour. The outcome of politics refers to the result or the effect of politics. It can be positive or negative, intended or unintended, stable or unstable, depending on the goals and interests of political actors and the consequences of their actions.
Leftwich argues that these three dimensions of politics are interrelated and dynamic, and that they can vary across time and space. He also argues that politics is influenced by various factors, such as history, culture, ideology, power, resources, values and interests. He suggests that political analysis should take into account these factors and their interactions, as well as the diversity and complexity of political phenomena. He also suggests that political action should be informed by political analysis, as well as by ethical considerations and practical constraints.
Leftwich concludes by highlighting some of the challenges and opportunities for political analysis and action in the contemporary world. He points out that politics is facing new issues and actors, such as globalization, environmentalism, terrorism, social movements and civil society. He also points out that politics is facing new dilemmas and uncertainties, such as identity, democracy, justice and security. He calls for a more critical and creative approach to politics, one that is open-minded, reflective and responsive to changing circumstances.
Chapter 2: Politics is About Governing by B. Guy Peters
In this chapter, Peters focuses on one of the most important aspects of politics: governing. He defines governing as "the actions taken by public officials within a structure of rules to resolve conflicts among values" (p. 24). He argues that governing is a core function of politics, and that it can take different forms depending on the context and the purpose of analysis. He identifies four main functions of governing: making public policy, managing public administration, maintaining public order and representing public interests.
Making public policy refers to the process by which public officials decide what to do about public problems. It involves setting goals, choosing instruments, allocating resources and evaluating outcomes. Managing public administration refers to the process by which public officials implement public policies. It involves organizing structures, coordinating activities, delivering services and ensuring accountability. Maintaining public order refers to the process by which public officials enforce public laws. It involves regulating behaviour, preventing crime, protecting rights and resolving disputes. Representing public interests refers to the process by which public officials communicate with public stakeholders. It involves informing opinions, mobilizing support, aggregating preferences and articulating demands.
Peters argues that these four functions of governing are interrelated and dynamic, and that they can vary across time and space. He also argues that governing is shaped by various factors, such as institutions, actors and processes. He suggests that institutional analysis should focus on the formal rules and structures that define governing roles and relationships. He suggests that actor analysis should focus on the informal norms and networks that influence governing behaviour and performance. He suggests that process analysis should focus on the sequential stages and interactions that constitute governing activities and outcomes.
Peters concludes by highlighting some of the challenges and opportunities for governing in the contemporary world. He points out that governing is facing new demands and expectations from citizens, such as participation, transparency, responsiveness and effectiveness. He also points out that governing is facing new constraints and pressures from markets, such as competition, efficiency, innovation and quality. He calls for a more adaptive and strategic approach to governing, one that is flexible, contextual and problem-oriented. 71b2f0854b