politics.. what the heck?!

Politics have been the issue these days. Everyone is talking about the impeachment and resignation of Presidet Arroyo, because she betrayed the people by cheating in the last May 2004 national elections. Street demonstrations have occured in Edsa and in Ayala calling for the president's resignation. In another country, the Americans have complained to President Bush for the slow response to the victims of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. In Japan, a recent election was called and Prime Minister Koizumi's Liberal Democrats have the won the majority seats in lower house of the Japanese Diet (Parliament). The examples mentioned above demonstrated the use of politics. But what is politics?

Back in my POLIGOV days, two definitions of politics were presented. According to Harold Laswell, politics is about "who gets what, when and how." Another definition by David Easton tells us that politics is the "authoritative allocation of values and resources." Another definition points politics as "social relations involving authority or power" (http://wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn). Politics came to be during the ancient Greeks, particularly in Athens. There most ancient Greeks were interested in running affairs of the polis, hence they were called, polites. They collectively decided on certain issues and have compromises. There was social balance and harmony in the polis, and the people benefit from the participation of every individual in politics. Politics was and until now a social activity.

Despite the good nature of politics, it has been abused and misused by many people nowadays. Other countries such as USA, UK and Japan have developed a mature political thinking in every person. But in countries such as the Philippines, which ironically the first democracy in Asia, suffers in too much politics. Politics which should be concerned with the welfare of the state and of the people is now about the vested interests of the people in power. Corruption is very rampant in government institutions which hinders the country's development. Laws are written not for the welfare of the majority who are the poor, but for the protection of the elitist's interests. Instead of serving the people, the politicians themselves are being served by the people. It is sad but it is reality. Despite the rich democratic history and culture of the Philippines, we still need to be mature enough when we think of politics. The Filipinos should stop being apathetic and help in the development of the country. Let's stop the "Crab mentality" and "Bahala na" way of thinking. Just as the ancient Greeks were active in the affairs of the polis, so we must be with own country. Opposing sides should reach into a compromise, instead of bickering which would lead to further division. We still have a long way to go, but through cooperation and perseverance, we might be able to turn the tide and help the country move forward.