Politics. Simplified.

Introduction

Welcome to Politics. Simplified. An article that aims to transform even the most politically clueless individual, into an informed and hopefully active citizen. If you're like most young adults, you might be wondering why you should read anything related to politics. After all, politics seems boring, complicated, and far removed from your daily life. But here's the thing - politics affects you in unimaginable ways, whether you like it or not.

This article is your golden ticket to the fascinating world of politics. Whether you're a qualified expert or a complete newbie, I guarantee you there is something to gain. If you're convinced that politics is just not for you, don't worry. My aim has been to make this as engaging and as accessible as humanely possible. I promise you, I have used every ounce of my limited humor, included all the real-life examples I could find, and ditched all the technical jargon in favor of the most basic language, even a toddler could understand. However, let's face it, even the most captivating article can sometimes get a little tedious. That's why I've included a handy content section, so you can skip ahead to your favourite parts. So, are you ready to embark on an exciting adventure through the world of politics?

This article is intended as an introduction to the study of politics. I assume (and one can say rightfully so) no prior knowledge of the political process. While writing this, I’ve strived to be as unbiased as possible, meaning that I tried to write with no specific political ideology in mind and without promoting any specific political idea while ignoring others.

Contents

Why Politics?	What is Politics? Why know Politics? Why vote?	Essentials	Forms of Government Systems of Governments Political Party Systems
Political Spectrum	The Left and the Right	Regional Politics	Politics in the US Politics in Greece Politics in Cyprus
Political Ideologies	Liberalism Conservatism Socialism Fascism Communism Anarchism	Discussion	Political Psychology Young People Abstinence Political Socialisation

CHAPTERS PRESENTED AT THE CONTENT SECTION WITH STRIKETHROUGH ARE COMING SOON

Why Politics?

What is Politics?

At first, I considered politics as a discipline that fell somewhere between the social and applied field. Although technically, it's a social science, I could more easily mathematize its basic settings; there are people on the Left, there are people on the Right. There are Conservatives; there are Liberals. There are Democrats, there are Republicans. In other words, politics could be reduced to a simple Left v Right debate, in which people occasionally throw weird, somehow funny names to the opposition, such as "Communist", "Che Guevera", "Fascist", "Marx", "Hitler" and so on.

Needless to say, I was vastly mistaken. My perception of politics underwent a complete transformation immediately after I dove into some introductory texts. Even though I chose to read beginner-level content, I still found myself struggling to understand basic concepts. I didn't even know where to begin; I was lost.

Eventually, after approximately three long months of consistently studying the topic, I discovered that politics is...well, not calling others weird names. It is a colossal and perplexing field that encompasses not only ideologies and policies, but also historical events, influential figures, and psychological factors. In fact, I was reluctant to recognise the importance of knowing and understanding history - in spite of my long-lasting hatred towards it. 

Despite its complexity, the field of politics should not be a source of intimidation or discouragement.  On the contrary, consider this article a set of powerful binoculars that will help you see beyond the fog of its complexity, straight into the heart of the matter. What will you find out is that once this complexity is stripped away, the matter at hand is not so perplexing after all.

Why know Politics?

Politics, like any other science, can seem daunting with its jargon and complex terminology. What if I told you that this complexity is not a result of the “inherent” intricacy of the field, but a deliberate strategy to exclude masses, to exclude you, from participating in the political discourse?

Think about it. How many times have you found yourself struggling to understand political debates or news articles because of the convoluted language? How many times have you felt excluded from the political world, simply because you couldn't follow a conversation?

This has been the case for thousands of eons. From kings, to monarchs, to modern-day politicians, those in power have always sought to keep power by acquiring tactics, such as this one, that influence and exclude masses. Other notorious tactics include propaganda, media control, corruption, nepotism... Point is, if I were to make a list of all of them, you wouldn’t be able to scroll to the bottom of it.

In a democracy, the participation of people is crucial for the functioning of the system. When the majority of people is manipulated or excluded from the political discourse, the system itself is flawed, and the outcome is the minority dictating for the majority.

Consider the infamous example of Nazi Germany. Adolf Hitler rose in power by -among other reasons- exploiting people’s political apathy and resentment. He promised to restore Germany to its former glory and that caught the sentiment of the masses. The result was one of the most brutal and devastating regimes in history.

It’s often the case that leaders prey upon people’s ignorance and lack of knowledge. Either in the form of political understanding or historical awareness. The consequences of this exploitation have proven to be disastrous time and time again. However, the problem has been effectively alleviated by a not so surprising solution: education.

By learning fundamental political concepts and historical events, we become safeguarded against tactics leaders use to manipulate us. Without knowledge, we are vulnerable to the ambitions of those who seek power and control. Thus, it is imperative that we educate ourselves in the pursuit of a more democratic establishment.

Why vote?

“A single vote will change nothing” is the most prevalent philosophy held by younger generations to avoid voting. If I’m being honest, I myself held that belief for years. Recently, as I slowly got into politics, I sat and really thought about it. Here are my thoughts:

“Voting is an individualistic act that aims to contribute to the greater societal good.”

Try to replace the word voting with the word volunteering. Is the sentence still making sense? Now try to replace it the word recycling, or maybe with giving to charity or even donating blood. 

Do you refrain from volunteering because you, as an individual, cannot solve the world's issues alone? Do you avoid donating to charity because your contribution is insignificant? Do you avoid giving blood because saving one life is not enough, when others will still perish? Do you litter indiscriminately because you, by yourself, cannot possibly affect the larger environmental picture? Do you avoid all these activities because your singular act is not going to immediately achieve its greater purpose?

Of course not. Actually, if you do some of them, it’s probably because you just consider them a good thing to do. A good addition to the society. Why are you not applying the same logic to voting? 

Political inaction may not be considered strictly unethical, but individuals, especially younger ones, ought to open their eyes to common sense and decide for themselves whether they consider it wrong.

Stop hiding behind superficial or naive reasoning. Stop letting other exploit your ignorance. Stop the disengagement of your generation and start being the difference already.

Note that in this segment, only a single argument was formulated as an attempt to persuade the reader.  Quite literally, a million more reasons exist for someone to vote.

Political Spectrum: The Left and the Right

What is the Left and what is the Right? How do we say that somebody belongs to either side? What separates individuals who belong to opposing sides? How is it reasonable to fit everybody into only two distinct groups? These are just a few questions that I may attempt to grapple, as I seek to define what it truly means to belong on the Left or on the Right…

“France invented the terms Left and Right early in the great Revolution of 1789–94. [...] Those noble members of the first National Assembly who wished to limit the powers of the monarch, moved to sit with the commoners on the left of the Assembly; those who still supported the absolutism [of the monarchy] sat on the right, as seen from the chair of the presiding officer.” [B3] “Stemming from their original meanings, left and right have been used to sum up contrasting attitudes to political change [...] left-wing thinking welcoming change, usually based on a belief in progress, while right-wing thinking resists change and seeks to defend the status quo [...]” [B1]

Fascinating story but... What do you mean there are people that welcome change and there are some who do not. Who in their right mind does not want change? Who in their right mind does not want things to get better?

Well, it is true that most people want to change for the better, yet the dichotomy between the Left and Right goes beyond a simple desire for change. It involves differences that, as we are going to examine, can help us move beyond the over-simplistic progress v status quo, and gain an understanding on what it truly means to be on each side.

Before diving in, it’s essential to realise that the differences between the Left and the Right cannot be absolute; they almost always vary depending on the context in which they are expressed. That is to say, any additional differences beyond the generic “left welcomes change” and “right supports the status quo”, heavily depend on the said time and place. Let me explain with some examples:

Right-wing views have shifted dramatically in the recent decades, and what was once considered taboo, such as homosexuality, is now widely accepted. Similarly, left-wing views have also shifted over time, and what was once seen as preposterous, such as call for gender-specific pronouns, has gained more mainstream acceptance. These shifts in political beliefs demonstrate how both left- and right-wing views vary depending on the social and cultural context of the time they are expressed in.

A great example of how political beliefs vary based on the location they are expressed in, is the issue of gun control. In the United States, there is a constant debate between the Left and the Right about what types of firearms should be allowed and to whom. However, in most other countries, the idea of any type of gun being allowed to citizens is unfathomable and incomprehensible, regardless of one's political leaning. This highlights, how both left-wing and right-wing beliefs are shaped by social and cultural norms that may not be universally applicable.

“The terms [left and right] should also, however, be treated with caution [...] [as they] meant different things at different times; and there are some political divisions, chiefly but not exclusively” [B3]

“Chiefly, but not exclusively”. So, what other exclusive divisions exist? Well, this may sound somewhat anticlimactic, but the answer is none. Any attempts made so far to discover other exclusive political divisions have been largely unsuccessful. When examining a particular division, it is almost inevitable that at some point, either their dependency on time or location will show up. I tried to dig a little deeper, looking for any innate psychological qualities that might explain this. However, my findings were largely inconsistent and sometimes even conflicting, making it impossible to arrive at any definitive conclusion. Despite this inconclusiveness, I managed to identify several noteworthy divisions that, that although not entirely exclusive; approached exclusivity like no others:

• Equality
• Nation
• Government
• Economy
• Religion

‌To clarify the usage of the term "division", it can either directly refer to differences between the opposing sides (ex. the Left supports more equality than the Right) or indirectly refer to domains in which opposing sides differ (ex. the domain of Equality).

Equality

Across the field of political science, I found that scientists catholically agree on very few things. In the middle of the dissent, the one consistent point of agreement has been the recognition of equality as the central pillar for distinguishing the Left from the Right. I was truly relieved when I found out the existence of such a theme. This seemingly simple division, enabled me to see what had been right in front of my eyes for so long.

“the fundamental basis for the distinction between left and right lies in differing attitudes to equality, left-wingers advocating greater equality while right-wingers treat equality as either impossible or undesirable.” [B2]

I could now see why the Left supports anti-discrimination laws that aim to promote diversity and equality, while the Right tends to view them as reverse discrimination. I could now comprehend why the Left supports raising the minimum wage to reduce income inequality while the Right opposes that, by arguing income equality is impossible. I could now appreciate why the Left tends to prioritize environmental protection to promote socioeconomic equality, while the right may prioritize the rights of businesses over environmental concerns, potentially exacerbating inequalities.

Please note that equality in this context, doesn't simply mean social equality, as a sociological concept. It goes beyond that and describes the presence of a deeply ingrained, subconscious belief about whether the concept of equality is genuinely desirable and practically achievable. Studying any of the examples I previously mentioned, can maybe help you understand just that; how this inherent attitude toward equality has shaped and influenced almost all beliefs supported by the political polars.

“The politics of class is the single most common factor dividing Left from Right in West European political systems, with the former seeking social justice [...], and the latter committed [...] against the threats thus posed.” [B3]

Nation

“For over 200 years the nation has been regarded as the most appropriate (and perhaps the only proper) unit of political rule” [B4]

The nation is generally considered one of the least exclusive divisions separating the Left from the Right. That is to say, the correlation between an individual's political leaning on national politics, compared with their leaning on other domains, is quite weak. Nevertheless, national and international politics can be a powerful source of division and conflict. This is because national identity and issues related to sovereignty, power, and security are deeply rooted in human psychology, and can evoke strong feelings of pride, fear, and resentment. Also, despite being one of the least exclusive differences, this concept can be one of the most difficult to dissect. Unlike other divisions where a central theme exists, for which the opposing sides disagree upon; national and international politics are multifaceted.

Left-wing politics value international cooperation, diplomacy, and a global perspective. They support the idea of a global community and prioritize international institutions and organizations. They favor multilateral foreign policy initiatives that promote peace and human rights. Left-wing politics oppose nationalism and prioritize humanitarian issues like global poverty and inequality. In contrast, right-wing politics prioritize nationalism and national interests. They prioritize military strength and security, sometimes advocating for more aggressive foreign policy. The Right tends to favor unilateral action and is skeptical of international institutions, preferring to rely on its own power.

Immigration, as a topic of national and international politics, is probably the most hotly debated issue of the 21st century. The Left, generally takes a more inclusive and open approach to immigration, emphasizing on humanitarian concerns and the value of diversity in building a better nation. In contrast, the Right often adopts a more exclusive and restrictive stance, emphasizing on security concerns and the need to preserve the cultural and economic interests of the nation. These differing perspectives on immigration reflect the fundamental differences of the Left and the Right when it comes to national and international politics.

“The old 20th century political model of the Left versus Right is now largely irrelevant, and the real divide is between global and national [politics] [...] In essence what you can say is that we now have global ecology, a global economy, but we have national politics, and this doesn’t work together. This makes the political system ineffective because it has no control over the forces that shape our life” [4]

Government

One of the most fundamental differences between the Left and the Right is the extent to which the government should intervene in the public and private affairs of its citizens. The Left generally advocates for more intervention, while the Right advocates for less. This difference in philosophy is often reflected in policies each side supports or opposes. One great example of such a policy is the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, in the US.

Obamacare was a revolutionary healthcare law passed in 2010 with the aim of expanding access to healthcare by requiring individuals to purchase health insurance and providing funding to help them afford it. Obamacare is still a highly controversial policy, with the Left generally supporting it as a necessary government intervention, while the Right opposes it as an example of government overreach and a violation of individual freedom. In general, the Left supports a more expansive government role in healthcare, which would provide access to affordable healthcare for all citizens. On the other hand, the Right tends to favor a more market-driven approach to healthcare, with less government regulation and more emphasis on private insurance and individual responsibility. Obamacare, exemplifies this difference in philosophy, which extends beyond healthcare and is reflected upon numerous policies.

Economy

The differences between Left and Right regarding the economy can be attributed to both their differing attitudes towards equality and the role of government in economic affairs. The Left tends to support policies that address financial inequality through wealth redistribution, such as progressive taxation (higher rate taxation for wealthier individuals) and higher minimum wages. On the contrary, the Right supports policies that promote financial inequality and market competition, such as lower taxes and lower minimum wages.

Understanding how and why altering the minimum wage can result in different outcomes is quite difficult for someone with no prior knowledge. You can check out my article that provides a more in-depth approach [Minimum Wage Dispute: A Balanced Review].

Religion

“Does religion make people good or bad? The New Atheists assert that religion is the root of most evil. They say it is a primary cause of war, genocide, terrorism, and the oppression of women. Religious believers, for their part, often say that atheists are immoral, and that they can’t be trusted.” [B5]

Religion, for better or worse, is perhaps the most powerful divisive factor of humanity across the globe and throughout history. It undoubtedly plays a major role in dividing the political landscape as well. It is an incredibly complex issue that could not be possibly covered as reference in another article. In fact, I could write an entire article specifically on the relationship between religion, morality, and politics. Perhaps I will. For now, however, I will attempt to narrow down some fundamental differences between the Left and the Right, just like I did in the previous segments.

“When asked to account for the development of their own religious faith and moral beliefs, conservatives [the Right] underscored deep feelings about respect for authority, allegiance to one’s group, and purity of the self, whereas liberals [the Left] emphasized their deep feelings regarding human suffering and social fairness” [B5]

In terms of morality, the Left tends to be more accepting of diverse lifestyles and beliefs, while the Right is more conservative in its values. The Left supports progressive policies that promote social justice and equality, while the Right generally opposes such policies, emphasizing traditional values and religious beliefs. Regarding religion, the Left tends to be more secular and supportive of the separation of church and state. The Right, on the other hand, often emphasizes the importance of religion in public life and may support policies that align with their religious beliefs.

A great example that highlights the contentious politics when it comes to religion and morality is the ongoing debate surrounding the legalization of same-sex marriage. A debate in which the Left generally supports legalization while the Right opposes it. The debate often revolves around questions of morality and religion, with the Right arguing that same-sex marriage goes against religious beliefs, while the Left argues that denying same-sex couples the right to marry is discriminatory and undermines principles of equality and human rights. This issue has sparked heated debates and protests in several European countries, with both sides firmly attached in their positions.

“We humans have an extraordinary ability to care about things beyond ourselves, to circle around those things with other people, and in the process to bind ourselves into teams that can pursue larger projects. That’s what religion is all about. And with a few adjustments, it’s what politics is about too” [B5]

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is practically impossible to absolutely define either the Left or the Right. Their differences vary depending on the context, which is influenced by the said time and place. Nonetheless, some overarching differences do exist, and can help us distinguish between them. Equality, Nation, Government, Economy, and Religion are domains in which the political polars express such differences. Each and every one of those domains, has been extensively analyzed, in order to provide the reader with a fundamental understanding, which should enable them to differentiate between left- and right-wing views. However, it is important to remember that political identity is a complicated concept that cannot be boiled down to simple labels and categories. As we will now seek to understand the complexities of political ideology, it is crucial to keep this in mind, along with the fundamental knowledge this chapter has provided you with.

“In a narrow sense, the political spectrum summarizes different attitudes towards the economy and the role of the state [...] However, this distinction supposedly reflects deeper, if imperfectly defined, ideological or value differences. Ideas such as freedom, equality, fraternity, rights, progress, reform and internationalism are generally seen to have a left-wing character, while notions such as authority, hierarchy, order, duty, tradition, reaction and nationalism are generally seen as having a right-wing character.” [B4]

CHAPTERS PRESENTED AT THE CONTENT SECTION WITH STRIKETHROUGH ARE COMING SOON

References

Media

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Books

1. Heywood, A. (2017). Political Ideologies: an Introduction. 7th ed. London: Palgrave.
2. Stadelmann, M.A. (2020). Political science for dummies. Hoboken, Nj: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.‌
3. Knapp, A. and Wright, V. (2006). The Government and Politics of France. Routledge.
4. Heywood, A. (2015). Key Concepts in Politics and International Relations. Bloomsbury Publishing.
5. Haidt, J. (2012). The Righteous Mind: Why Good People Are Divided by Politics and Religion. Penguin UK.

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