It seems that these days, every ideology and party criticizes politics. Whether it be from the tea party or occupy Wall Street movement, it's what the root of all of our problems seem to be. Open the curtains and here comes to the scene people like Donald trump or Ted Cruz saying that experienced politicians are the problem. Surely this camp has legitimate grievances, but what is their remedy? What does the act of participating in politics even mean? Well, let's do better than most Americans who participate in politics and try to find out shall we?
Since the dawn of time, humans sought to better find better ways to organize and participate in public life. Thus, why Aristotle once proclaimed that man is a political animal. When civilizations like the Greek city-State came about, many sought to justify what form of political system was the best. Although Aristotle had different conceptions about who was a citizen and what exactly democracy meant, he did believe that the act of politics was the most efficient way to serve the needs of every citizen and make sure every citizens viewpoint got heard. To Aristotle, politics went hand in hand with his inquiry into ethics. The most noble task for the politician was in the role of lawgiver (nomothetês), to frame the appropriate constitution for the city-state. Within this goal, it was meant to assist the individual in becoming more virtuous. Thus, achieving excellence.
To return to Aristotle' point of what politics is about, it is clear that our democracy looks quite different from what he conceived a democracy as being. Yet, it is fascinating that he believed that a society needed politics to thrive for all of its citizens. This is especially true in our pluralistic society today. In a nation that has many competing view points, politics, all be it frustrating and prolongating every process, is really necessary. It may not be the ideal situation, but Just as Aristotle argues for his form of governance, it is the only way we are going to ever live peacefully together and find a system that works for not just some of us, but all of us.
So, what does one say to those like Donald trump? To those that feel like the system has failed us? Is the answer to our woes and grievances against modern politics really to put in office inexperienced people that have never held a political office? Aristotle and almost every philosopher since have considered legislating to be an art or craft that could be analogous to how a doctor pursues medical knowledge. That is still true today of course. The institution of congress is abound with many complexities. So much so that we need experienced people incomgress. Thus, why many are unsure if we should really enact term limits for congress at all.
An alternative answer to our inquiry that does not involve Donald Trump is perhaps that politicians, although needed, need to be more accountable to the people so populists' waves of anger facilitated by Donald trump don't tear this country apart. In how we are to keep them accountable and limit livelihoods of corruption, will be a task of our generation as our nation grows more complex and in need of more change as times change. Although this part will not be discussed today, I hope that we see that although politics, the government, etc. may be frustrating, it is nonetheless essential to our democracy and gives a platform for everyone to be heard. If America doesn't wake up and realize this soon, I fear we risk heading down a similar road of some nations that were fed up with their politics too such as Germany that gave rise to Hitler. So please America, yes we need change, but let's think about it before blindly electing some one like Trump, okay?
