Politics is the collection of human actions that relate to making political decisions in societies, groups or other types of political authority relations between people, including the distribution of basic rights and privileges or resources. The other major branch of social science that studies politics is called political science. In political science, there is an attempt to explain a particular phenomenon in terms of the theories of economic, technological, and social concepts. Some research works on politics include socio political settings, the development of political institutions, political campaigns, national leadership, international relations, political ideologies, political action and political psychology. These various fields of study are also involved in political education, which teaches students how to critically think about politics and make an informed decision.
There is great debate as to what exactly politics is. Political science may be regarded as a subdivision of economics and political systems are part of the process by which political systems are created. Political systems also depend on culture and other factors such as geography, ethnicity, gender, and other natural or human forces that shape societies.
There are two broad approaches to studying politics. One of these is descriptive and the other is comparative. Descriptive political science looks into how politics developed within a particular society. Comparative politics looks into how politics are different in various countries or cultures.
Politics is an abstract form of social activity. It deals with the arrangements that people make in order to organize their lives. It also has to do with the institutions by which politics is guided by the power of choice. The main components of politics include government, politics, public opinion, and the political parties. Each of these is important for the existence of politics.
A number of books have been written on political systems. These include Encyclop Dalia Britannica, Oxford University Press, Cambridge University Press, Century Press, International Textbooks, New York Review of Books, Oxford University Press, Century Publications, University of Chicago Press, and Oxford University Press. The Encyclop Dalia Britannica and New York Review of Books are popular reference materials on political science and political history. Oxford University Press and Cambridge University Press have produced encyclopedias on political science and other aspects of political life. International Textbooks and International Studies have produced numerous textbooks on political science, history, and issues in politics.
Politics also involves organizations and individuals. Political parties play an important role in politics because they are the key force that helps bring about change in the political system. Politics and leaders also play a significant role. They can be politicians, members of the ruling party, trade unionists, and private citizens who want to influence politics.
Politics deals with various issues and concerns regarding the society. These include freedom of speech and press, freedom of religion, discrimination against women, freedom of association, racial and communal discrimination, issues on war and peace, and political leadership and power. Politics also has the issue of revolution, protests, demonstrations, and civil disobedience. Politics also has the issue of property and inheritance. It also has the issue of taxes and tariffs. Politics also has the issue of international relations and diplomacy.
Politics involves human societies as a whole and not just one segment of the society. Politics has also the issue of national unity, territorial integrity, and internal organization of governments at both the state and national level. Politics also has the issue of freedom, equality, justice, and freedom, and these are often interrelated because they are often viewed as three aspects of a larger whole. Politics and the study of politics have become vitally important to the social sciences.