Session 2- Can we restrict politics to a certain domain?

Narrowly defined, politics is concerned with state affairs and governance. According to this definition, majority of the people do not practice politics and it is restricted to a selected few who are involved in managing public affairs.

However, the idea of politics is inevitability linked with social interaction within all walks of life. Even in everyday life, there is conflict and cooperation and to achieve that, politics acts as a mediator. Communication is used to resolve conflicting interests where power dynamics come into play and these power dynamics necessitate the presence of politics.

Is it just to restrict the functioning of politics to a specific arena alone, disregarding the power dynamics that exist in social relationships such as the institution of marriage or family life? Narrowing down the definition of politics conveniently takes it away from the common man who can disassociate himself from it and treat it as a dirty or corrupt practice experienced only in public affairs.

Therefore, if we narrow down the definition of politics, it deliberately excludes the basic form of politics and its manifestation in everyday life.