Democratic Politics
Politics the term used to describe the way that groups of people come to decisions about the actions they will undertake collaboratively. Politics is derived from the Greek word politika. The Greek is taken from the name of a book of theory by Aristotle of the same name. It is used to mean “affairs of state.” Although the word is generally used to refer to the actions and the forces involved in civil governments, religious, social, corporate, and academic institutions all employ tactics that are political in nature.
Politics involves the attempts of different sides in a debate to convince other members of government to pass laws which suit their preference. These sides are often organized into different political parties. While the United States has only two dominant parties, the Republican party and the Democratic party, politics in other countries may consist of many political parties. There are two major conflicts between political theories. The first is the conflict between the left and the right. The left is generally seen as more progressive and seeking to eradicate social inequalities, while the right is generally conservative and sees social inequalities and an intrinsic part of human existence. The other major arguments in politics take place between libertarians and authoritarians. Libertarians value a strong individual and a weak state. Authoritarian politics support a weak individual and an empowered state. Libertarian politics support as great a reduction in the size, scope and authority of the government as feasible, while authoritarian politics support a further consolidation of governmental control. There are various degrees of left, right, libertarian, and authoritarian view. Often with in a single political party different members may espouse libertarian and authoritarian beliefs. It is rare, however for a political party to contain approaches that are liberal, conservative, libertarian, and authoritative within a single unified political party. Political parties which are pulled in so many different directions often fracture before very long.
In the United States political self identification which most people use is Democrat. When asked to name their political identification, thirty five percent of all Americans said Democrat. Democratic politics have become extremely popular over the last decade. The White House is currently occupied by Democrat Barak Obama. Most governorships are filled by a Democrat, as are the majority of seats in the House of Representatives and the Senate. Democratic politics are generally authoritative on the role of government, while democratic politics take libertarian stance on the rights of individual. Democratic politics are generally liberal, although in the south there is a trend for democratic politics to lean toward more moderate positions. Some Democrats also can be conservatives. As a result democratic politics are able to be less exclusively understood than are Republican policies. Recent legislative goals encouraged by Democrats have been the passing of universal health care. This is an example of the blend of libertarianism and authoritarianism. While it forces the government into a more authoritarian role in ensuring medical coverage for everyone it is libertarian because it seeks to put the right of the individual ahead of those of the few who manage health care.