What is Political? – Introduction to Political Science (+3 Political Science Honours NEP 2020)

Political Science is one of the oldest and most important branches of social science. It studies the state, government, power, authority, political institutions, public policies, rights, duties, and the relationship between citizens and the government. Before understanding Political Science in detail, students must first understand a fundamental question:

“What is Political?”

The concept of “Political” is broader than politics alone. It covers every activity related to power, decision-making, governance, public welfare, justice, and collective life. Under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, Political Science encourages students to understand politics from both traditional and modern perspectives.

This article provides complete study notes for +3 Political Science Honours students following the Model Curriculum based on NEP 2020.

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Meaning of Political

The word Political comes from the Greek word “Polis,” meaning City-State.

Ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle used the term “Polis” to describe an organized community where citizens lived together under laws and participated in governance.

Thus, the word Political refers to:

• Activities related to government
• Distribution of power
• Decision-making
• Public administration
• Law and order
• Public welfare
• Relations among citizens

In simple words,

Political means everything related to governing society and making decisions that affect people’s lives.

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Definition of Political

Different political thinkers have explained the meaning of political in different ways.

Aristotle

Aristotle called human beings “Political Animals.”

According to him,

“Man is by nature a political animal.”

This means humans naturally live in society, form governments, make laws, and cooperate with one another.

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Harold Lasswell

Harold Lasswell defined politics as

“Who gets What, When, and How.”

This definition explains that politics is concerned with the distribution of resources, opportunities, and power.

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David Easton

David Easton defined politics as

“The authoritative allocation of values for society.”

According to Easton, governments make authoritative decisions regarding education, healthcare, taxation, employment, and welfare.

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Max Weber

Max Weber believed politics involves

The struggle for power or influencing the distribution of power.

Power plays an important role in every political system.

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What Makes an Activity Political?

An activity becomes political when it includes one or more of the following:

• Decision-making
• Public interest
• Government involvement
• Authority
• Law-making
• Distribution of resources
• Conflict resolution
• Public policy
• Leadership
• Exercise of power

For example:

• Parliament passing a law
• Election campaigns
• Government welfare schemes
• Reservation policies
• Tax collection
• Local Panchayat meetings

All these are political activities.

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Characteristics of Political

The concept of Political has several important characteristics.

1. Concerned with Society

Political activities affect society as a whole rather than individuals alone.

Example:

Government education policy benefits millions of students.

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2. Related to Power

Power is the heart of politics.

Political leaders, governments, and institutions use power to make decisions.

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3. Decision-Making Process

Politics involves choosing among different alternatives.

Example:

Whether to increase taxes or reduce taxes.

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4. Public Interest

Political decisions usually aim to promote public welfare.

Examples include:

• Health schemes
• Road construction
• Employment programs
• Education reforms

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5. Conflict Resolution

Different groups have different interests.

Politics provides peaceful methods to resolve conflicts through:

• Laws
• Courts
• Elections
• Negotiations

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6. Collective Nature

Political activities involve groups rather than isolated individuals.

Examples include:

• Political parties
• Trade unions
• Student organizations
• Social movements

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7. Authority and Legitimacy

Political decisions are backed by legal authority.

Citizens generally obey laws because they are considered legitimate.

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Scope of Political

The meaning of political extends beyond governments.

Today it includes:

State

The organization exercising sovereign authority.

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Government

The machinery responsible for administration.

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Political Institutions

Such as:

• Parliament
• Judiciary
• Executive
• Election Commission

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Political Parties

Organizations competing for political power.

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Public Administration

Implementation of government policies.

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International Politics

Relations among different countries.

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Public Policy

Government decisions affecting society.

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Human Rights

Protection of individual freedoms and dignity.

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Civil Society

NGOs, pressure groups, media, and citizen organizations.

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Traditional View of Political

Traditional political thinkers mainly focused on:

• State
• Government
• Constitution
• Law
• Sovereignty

Important traditional scholars include:

• Plato
• Aristotle
• Hobbes
• Locke
• Rousseau

In this view, politics mainly concerned the functioning of the State.

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Modern View of Political

Modern political scientists believe politics exists everywhere.

Politics occurs in:

• Families
• Schools
• Universities
• Offices
• Corporations
• Religious institutions
• International organizations

Modern scholars emphasize:

• Power
• Behaviour
• Participation
• Decision-making
• Political culture
• Political communication

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Political and Power

Power is central to politics.

Power means the ability to influence others or make them act according to one’s wishes.

There are different forms of power:

• Political power
• Economic power
• Social power
• Military power
• Ideological power

Governments exercise political power through laws and institutions.

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Political and Authority

Authority is legitimate power.

People obey authority because they believe it is lawful.

Examples:

• Police
• Judges
• District Collectors
• Governors
• Prime Minister
• President

Authority differs from force because authority is accepted voluntarily under legal rules.

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Political and Government

Government is one of the most important political institutions.

Functions include:

• Making laws
• Maintaining law and order
• Providing security
• Collecting taxes
• Delivering welfare services
• Protecting fundamental rights

Without government, organized political life becomes difficult.

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Political and Democracy

Democracy is one of the most important political systems.

Its political features include:

• Free elections
• Rule of law
• Freedom of speech
• Citizen participation
• Accountability
• Transparency

India is the world’s largest democracy, where citizens actively participate in political life through elections and civic engagement.

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Political in Everyday Life

Politics is not limited to Parliament.

Political activities occur daily.

Examples include:

• Voting during elections
• Paying taxes
• Following traffic rules
• Participating in student union elections
• Joining public protests
• Discussing government policies
• Community development programs

Thus, politics influences every citizen’s life.

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Importance of Studying Political Science

Studying political concepts helps students:

• Understand democratic values.
• Know their constitutional rights and duties.
• Develop critical thinking.
• Participate responsibly in governance.
• Understand public policies.
• Analyze national and international issues.
• Prepare for civil service and competitive examinations.
• Become informed and responsible citizens.

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Relevance under NEP 2020

The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 promotes:

• Critical thinking
• Problem-solving
• Constitutional values
• Ethical leadership
• Multidisciplinary learning
• Research orientation
• Civic responsibility

The study of “What is Political?” forms the foundation for understanding advanced topics such as political theory, comparative politics, public administration, governance, international relations, and public policy.

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Key Features of Political (Quick Revision)

• Political originates from the Greek word Polis.
• Politics concerns power, governance, and public decision-making.
• Political activities affect society collectively.
• Power and authority are central concepts.
• Government is the main political institution.
• Politics exists in both public and private spheres.
• Democracy promotes citizen participation.
• Political Science develops informed and responsible citizens.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What is Political?

Political refers to all activities related to power, governance, public decision-making, law, authority, and the management of society.

Q2. Who called man a political animal?

The Greek philosopher Aristotle described humans as “political animals” because people naturally live in organized communities and participate in governance.

Q3. What is the origin of the word Political?

The word Political is derived from the Greek word “Polis,” meaning City-State.

Q4. Why is power important in politics?

Power enables governments and political institutions to make decisions, enforce laws, allocate resources, and maintain order in society.

Q5. What is the difference between power and authority?

Power is the ability to influence or control others, while authority is power that is accepted as legitimate and lawful by society.

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Conclusion

The concept of “What is Political?” is the cornerstone of Political Science. It extends far beyond elections or political parties, encompassing the study of power, governance, justice, public policy, institutions, and collective decision-making. From Aristotle’s idea of humans as political beings to modern perspectives that examine power in every sphere of life, understanding the political helps students analyze how societies are organized and governed. For +3 Political Science Honours (NEP 2020) students, mastering this foundational concept is essential for exploring advanced topics such as political theory, constitutional studies, comparative politics, public administration, and international relations. A strong grasp of this subject also nurtures informed, responsible, and active citizens who can contribute meaningfully to a democratic society.