POLITICS AND GOVERNANCE

Introduction

Politics –
1. The way in which we understand and order our social affairs, the principles underlying this
and the means by which some people or groups acquire a greater control over the situation
(Ponton and Gill, 1982)
2. Any activity involving human beings associated together in relationship of power and
authority where conflict occurs (Dhall, 1965)

 Monarchy – one man to preside over and control society noted for his lineage and
honor
 Aristocracy – rule of a selected few known for their wealth and education
 Democracy – the rule by the people, for the people and of the people
Tyranny
Oligarchy
Demagoguery or Mobocracy
The practice of politics is sometimes associated with the art of deception, intrigues,
demagoguery. Politics is usually associated with “political maneuvering” – the use of power by
elected and appointed officials for personal aggrandizement or for plundering public money
and property.
Issues for Political Discourse
What is the good life?

 Population explosion
 Massive poverty and unemployment
 Environmental degradation
 Access to quality education
 Criminality
 Social inequality in wealth and power
 Human rights violation
 Health and housing problems
Ideology – refers to a set of beliefs, ideas and values which a social group espouses for political
purposes
- an action-oriented system of ideas
Components of ideology –
1. Philosophy – the set of ideas and beliefs which serve as a framework for understanding
political reality – the political regime and its institutions – and for defining the role of people in
society.
- it defines the goals
2. Program – spells out what is to be done, what course of action to take – varies from time to
time, from place to place, but always dependent on the material and social interests of the
political actors
3. Propaganda – to arouse and mobilize people into political action, to change the people’s
mind about certain things so they may be neutralized, if not converted to the cause for which
the propaganda is made
Functions of Ideology
1. Legitimation – refers to how the political regime and its authority are accepted by the
community, to how its laws are complied with, and how its policies are carried out.
Legitimation crisis – when the political regime is no longer accepted
2. Mobilization
a. The recruitment of political militants who will spearhead the activities of a political party or
social movement
b. The reawakening of some former members or groups that have become dormant
c. The politicization of previously apolitical elements
3. Manipulation – the conscious and deliberate formulation of proposition with which to incite
people to struggle for ends which are perceived only by those in power or attempting to get
political power