random political thoughts

Has politics always been a part of the human civilization ? I am sure there was no such thing in the hunter/gatherer days .. folks barely had time to survive. But ever since the establishment of a so-called society, there have been individuals who prefer to engage in manipulations and machinations to secure some advantage over their peers. This became possible only after the establishment of a 'civilization' and 'society', because otherwise the politician was likely to get their head bashed in by someone who received the short end of a bargain. So .. a politician can only survive in a social setting where there is some semblance of law and order.

How does a person decide to become a politician ? I am not just talking about a leader here. Leaders are individuals who take the initiative, and are able to rally popular support. Leaders usually rise naturally in times of conflict or hardship. I am talking about a politician in a stable society. Does a politician come into existence after discovering some issue within the society as it exists ? Or is it that a person discovers that he is good at manipulating others, and realizes that this can be a source of livelihood. The adoption of a cause is just an afterthought, because he realizes that a cause makes his job easier.

The average politician is not more intelligent, or more strong. He is quite possibly more cunning. Well - let me correct that. Intelligence can also be emotional .. and this is where the politician will excel. But the point is this : Is the politician the best person to control the fate of a society ? He knows that in a fair game, he will not come out on the top. His only way to win is to rig the game itself. The "game" here is the society, and the interactions between different people in there. Winning probably implies getting control of an inordinate amount of resources. So the very people that conduct the game, have a interest in the game not being fair. He is probably not even qualified to judge what is best for the society as a whole.

So who is ? The 'intellectuals' ? Maybe. The intellectual will use facts and deductions to make a rational judgment, without getting emotionally swayed. But the problem is, how does he make his opinion heard ? Isn't that what a politician is good at - Using emotion to sway people away from facts. And rational judgments !! Thats why an intellectual will never come forth and oppose a politician on his own. Other politicians may use the intellectuals opinion as a starting point to counter something they don't like - but only till the point it suits them.

In the next installment, i will rant about society itself - and power.