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Essay on Politics: Why Politics Matters for Students and Society

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How Politics Influences Governance, Law, and Everyday Life

Politics is a hugely important domain in the world and it has a profound impact on the functioning as well as the policies of the governments. Politics has an effect on all types of government including democratic, autocratic, monarchical, theocratic and others. The government is responsible for making decisions on different matters of public interest, issuing orders for the public health, directing the citizens towards development and growth, and performing a wide range of other related functions.

There are numerous definitions of what politics means. Politics can be described as the disagreement between the various groups on what they like. One of the broad definitions of politics, which is widely agreed, is the art of governance. The government is the entity having the legal authority of regulating people’s actions. The word politics is usually used for defining how the countries are governed and how the governments make the rules and the laws. 

Defining laws and regulations that tell people what they can or cannot do is one of the ways in which the government leads the people. These regulations and laws are enacted by the government for ensuring order and protection in the society. Beyond the laws, the government might also regulate the citizens and the functioning of the country in other ways. Most of the countries have specific groups or political parties for expressing their views and policies. 

The political parties form a consensus on the common policies or path that they should take in communicating their ideas or policies to the people. These parties support legislative bills or reforms and the candidates based on the agenda agreed upon by the members. The election is usually contested or fought between the opposite political parties of different spectrum. 

One of the conventional explanations of politics refers to politics being conducted within the system of checks and balances for avoiding misuse of political power. The several institutions that exist within the governing system include the legislative body that is responsible for making laws, executive body that imposes them, and judiciary that interprets them thus providing a powerful and well-rounded political spectrum.

If you want to study in detail about politics and its various concepts of applications for your essay in English then you can refer to it on the Vedantu website or app. Vedantu is a leading learning platform with a wide range of learning resources, tutorials, solutions, reference notes, and sample questions papers with solutions for students of different branches.


Short Politics Essay in English

Politics, in general, is the platform by which people create, maintain, and change the laws that govern their lives. As a result, conflict and collaboration are inextricably connected in politics. On the one hand, the presence of conflicting views, competing expectations, competing needs, and competing interests is expected to result in conflict over the rules under which people live.

Politics is fascinating because everyone has a different perspective on life and its rules. They have differing opinions about how they should live. What money should go to whom? What is the best way to disperse power to help the powerless? Is it better for society to be built on collaboration or conflict? And so forth. They also talk about how such disputes can be resolved. What is the best way to make decisions as a group? In what conditions does who have a say? How much say should each person have in decisions? The list goes on.

This, according to Aristotle, made politics the "master science," which he described as "the action by which human beings strive to better their lives and build and contribute to a Good Society." Politics is, first and foremost, a social practice. It's still a conversation, but the parties have reduced it to a monologue.

Any effort to grasp the sense of the word "politics" must always grapple with two major issues. The first is the different connotations that this word has in everyday speech. Unlike economics, geography, history, and biology, which most people think of as academic subjects, few people approach politics without preconceptions. The second, more complicated issue is that even well-respected authorities cannot agree about what politics is all about. It has infiltrated nearly every aspect of society.

Hence, we can say that the exercise of authority, the sacred science of governance, the making of unified decisions, the distribution of limited resources, the art of deceit and exploitation, and so on are all terms used to describe politics.

FAQs on Essay on Politics: Why Politics Matters for Students and Society

1. What is the fundamental definition of politics?

Politics refers to the set of activities associated with making decisions in groups, or other forms of power relations between individuals. At its core, it is the process by which a community or country is governed, involving the allocation of power, status, and resources. It shapes the laws, policies, and public services that affect everyone in a society.

2. Why is understanding politics important for students?

Understanding politics is crucial for students as it helps them become informed and responsible citizens. Political decisions directly impact key areas of their lives, including the education system, environmental quality, and future job opportunities. A good grasp of politics enables students to understand their rights, participate in societal debates, and contribute to the nation's development.

3. What is the main role of politics in a modern society?

In a modern society, the primary role of politics is to create a framework for order and cooperation. This is achieved through several key functions:

  • Governance and Law-Making: Establishing rules and laws to maintain social order.
  • Conflict Resolution: Providing peaceful mechanisms to resolve disagreements among citizens.
  • Public Services: Managing the delivery of essential services like healthcare, infrastructure, and education.
  • Resource Distribution: Deciding how public funds and resources are allocated to different sectors.

4. What are the key components of a well-structured essay on politics?

A well-structured essay on politics should contain three main parts: an introduction that presents the topic and your main argument (thesis); several body paragraphs, each discussing a specific point with supporting evidence or examples; and a conclusion that summarises your arguments and reinforces your thesis, leaving a lasting impression on the reader.

5. What are some examples of recognised national political parties in India?

As per the Election Commission of India, a political party must meet specific criteria to be recognised as a national party. Some of the major national parties in India include the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Indian National Congress (INC), Communist Party of India (Marxist), Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), and the National People's Party (NPP). Each party has its own distinct political ideology and agenda.

6. What is the key difference between 'politics' and 'political science'?

The key difference lies in practice versus study. Politics is the practical activity of governing, making laws, and exercising power. It is the 'art' of governance. In contrast, Political Science is the academic and systematic study of that activity. It analyses political behaviour, systems of government, and theoretical concepts to understand how and why political events occur.

7. How does politics directly affect the daily life of a student?

Politics affects a student's daily life in many ways. For instance, government education policies determine your curriculum and school funding. The cost of public transport you use is influenced by political decisions on subsidies. Environmental laws, a product of politics, affect the quality of air you breathe. Even the price and availability of internet data can be shaped by government regulations.

8. What is a 'political ideology' and can you provide some examples?

A political ideology is a coherent set of ethical ideals, principles, and beliefs that explain how society should work and offer a vision for a certain social order. It acts as a guide for political action. Common examples include:

  • Liberalism: Emphasises individual rights, freedom, and democracy.
  • Conservatism: Focuses on preserving tradition, authority, and established institutions.
  • Socialism: Advocates for community or state ownership of resources to ensure social and economic equality.

9. How does the political system in India, a democracy, differ from other forms of government?

India's political system, a democracy, is fundamentally different from other forms of government because power resides with the people. In a democracy, citizens elect their representatives through regular elections and are guaranteed fundamental rights. This contrasts sharply with:

  • Monarchy: Where a king or queen holds power by hereditary right.
  • Authoritarianism: Where power is concentrated in a single leader or a small group, with no accountability to the public and limited political freedom.

10. Beyond voting, in what ways can an ordinary citizen participate in the political process?

While voting is a fundamental act of political participation, citizens can engage in many other ways. These include attending local community meetings to voice concerns, participating in peaceful debates and campaigns, writing to elected officials to influence policy, using social media to raise awareness on issues, and joining or supporting advocacy groups that work on specific causes like environmental protection or education reform.