Politics as compromise and consensus

Politics can be also seen as a particular means of resolving conflict: that is, by compromise and negotiation, rather than through force and naked power. This is what is implied when politics is portrayed as “the art of the possible”. Such a definition is inherent in the everyday use of the term. For instance, the description of a solution to a problem as a “political” implies peaceful debate and arbitration, opposed to what is often called a “military” solution.

Borrowed from Andrew Heywood “Politics”

Comprehension Check

Answer the questions to the text.

1. Why did Aristotle call politics the “master science”?

2. What are the main approaches to defining politics?

3. What is more important to search for conflict or to achieve it and why?

4. What does the academic subject “Politics” study?

5. Can you give a classical definition of politics?

6

. How can politics be understood as compromise?

It is interesting… Aristotle (384-322 BC), Greek philosopher, was a student of Plato and tutor of the young Alexander the Great. He established his own school of philosophy in Athens in 335 BC. His 22 surviving treatises, compiled as lecture notes, range over logic, physics, astronomy, biology, ethics and politics. In the Middle Ages, Aristotle’s work became the foundation of Islamic philosophy, and it was later incorporated into Christian theology. His best known political work is Politics, a study of the ideal constitution.

Vocabulary practice

1. Find in the text English equivalents to the following words and expressions.

Влиять на эти правила; понятие / представление; подразумевать; делать поправки / совершенствовать; примиряться друг с другом; насилие / применение силы; решение проблемы; осуществление полномочий; применение власти; недостаточный / скудный; распределение /размещение ресурсов; дебаты / полемика; занимать государственную / общественную должность; арбитраж / разрешение конфликтных ситуаций; наблюдение за проведением в жизнь (закона и т. п.) / принуждение; заниматься политикой.

2. Match definitions with the corresponding terms.

1. conflict	a. ‘Legitimate power’ to influence the behaviour of others.
2. co-operation	b. The ability to achieve a desired outcome; that is, as the ability to influence the behaviour of others in a manner not of their choosing.
3. polis	c. Competition between opposing forces, reflecting a diversity of opinions, preferences, needs or interests.
4. authority	d. City-state; classically understood to imply the highest or most desirable form of social organization.
5. power	e. Working together; achieving goals through collective action.

3. Find in the text two nouns derived from the verb 'to deceit'.

4. Complete the sentences choosing the best adjective.

rival, competing, opposing, impartial

1. The ………… team is very strong.

2. His …………. speech produced a great impression on the audience.

3. I followed the TV debate with interest. It was a real clash of ………. points of view.

4. There are several ………… views on the evolution of society.

5. The secretary sold our secrets to the ………. company.

6. Some multi-national companies produce ………… goods to control international markets.