Dear Editor – When the word “politics” is mentioned, listeners and readers often conjure up images of leaders handing out money, making a lot of empty promises, taking advantage of opportunities to enrich themselves, getting involved in deals that are not transparent and accountable, in general do not care about truth and justice, and actions that are glory seeking.
This is not politics but more about having unlimited power that leads to political corruption.
Politics has been described as inefficient, a compromise, or even a conspiracy by which those in power try to maintain their position against challenges.
As an evident being seen in the world that there are public protests or fights to defend the people against the government or to remove the political leader as well as governments killing their own people to get rid of those whom they don’t like.
On one hand, it is said to be the source of the ills of rulers and leaders. On the other hand, it is praised as a great and civilizing human activity essential for genuine freedom.
Politics emerges in organised states which see themselves as aggregates of many, not a single tribe, religion, and tradition.
Politics emerges from recognising the simultaneous existence of different group within a defined boundary under one common rule.
Establishing a political order marks the recognition of freedom because politics recognises differing truths and is more tolerant of the differences possessed by people.
Therefore, it is possible to conduct government amid the open discussion and debate of different interests.
Under the political order, individuals are free to say what they want to say, do what they want, go where they want to go.
This is freedom. Even though individual freedom is curtailed by other people’s freedom; nonetheless, they are still free.
Politics has been used as a convenient scapegoat for individuals’ selfishness and popularity seeking.
Politics emerges natural and phenomenon in settings where diversity exists amongst people as a response to the issue of governing and maintaining order Politics has been misunderstood and misapplied to cover up self-centredness, greed, glory seeking, and dishonest dealings of leaders.
God in his wisdom has not made everyone the same. Even in identical twins, there are marked differences.
Individuals grow up in different environments, belong to different ethnic groups and religions, and have different values and interests.
It is this diversity that makes politics a means of maintaining order in a community where different groups of people live and work under a common rule.
Politics can be explored through the process of developing and implementing policy.
By doing so, it can be studied through behaviour of participants which is both outward and observable actions as well as underlying values, interest, beliefs, objectives, and attitude which guide or influence behaviour by looking at institutions and semi-public institutions such as trade unions, private institutions like powerful business corporations and financial institutions play vital political roles behind the scenes.
Politics has a life and character of its own. It cannot compare to anything else. We should thank and acknowledge God for guiding this nation.
Alden Ijini Tigulu
Honiara