The distinction between politics and administration


Politics is the process by which groups of people make collective decisions.  The term is usually applied to the art or science of running governmental or state affairs and to the behavior within civil governments.  Whereas, administration is the management of a business or institution or those responsible for administering a business, institution, etc. It can also refer to the government in power, the term of office of a government or political leader, a government agency,  or the management of another person’s estate (in the subject of law).


“Politics is the art and science of managing and governing the social and economic affairs interactively along with the rest of the community, especially the collective governing of a political entity, such as a nation, the administration and control of its internal and external relationships.  Politics is the activity and interaction engaged in by any given society’s citizens, to build and maintain a community and establishes communal social services for all people.  It is the maneuvering methods and tactics involved in managing any given society, or state government.  A politician is an ethical individual, holding an intriguing and rewarding career of public service that honorably discharges hers, or his duties in an ethical and caring manner. One must not confuse the dishonest, common and criminal political hustlers engaged in illegal activities with true divided and good politicians. (Maskanian, Bahram.  Definition of Politics.  http://www.venusproject.com/definition-of-politics.html, retrieved 21 April, 2011.)”


In order to have a better understanding of Politics (and everything that is involved with Politics), one must be better acquainted with the existing political systems.  A political system is a system of politics AND government.  “Commonalities between political systems are 1.  Interdependent Parts  (Citizens culture, Government) and 2.  Boundaries (Citizenship, Territory, Property).  The following lists the basic forms of political systems and their explanation:


·         Anarchism- rule by all or no one


·         Democracy- Rule by majority


·         Monarchy- Rule by monarchy.  This is the oldest political system known which developed from tribal structure with one person as the absolute ruler.


·         Communism- Rule by all citizens.  This is classless with common ownership and decision making.


·         Meritocracy- Rule by the best.


·         Technocracy- Rule by scientists or intellectuals.


·         Republic- rule by the law.  The first recorded republic was in India in the 6th century BC.


·         Sultanates- Rule by Allah.  This is an Islamic political structure combining Monarchy and Theocracy.


·         Islamic Democracy- Rule by majority in Islamic context.  This is an Islamic and democratic political structure which combines aspects of Theocracy as the framework and Democracy as the decision making method under Islam’s ethical system.  An example of this would be Iran’s constitution.


·         Theocracy- Ruled by an alleged representative of God.


·         Westminster System- Rule by republic and representative democracy through parliament.


·         Feudalism- Rule by a Lord or King.  (Political System.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_system, retrieved 21 April, 2011.)”


Government administration differs according to jurisdiction.  Jurisdiction is the power, right or authority to interpret and apply the law.  It can also mean the limits or territory within which authority may be exercised.  The term administration is different for every country in the world.


In Europe for instance, administration refers to the managerial functions in general, which “may include local governments, or the hierarchy of national and local government, that applies to a town or district.  More specifically, it may refer to public administration, the business of administering public policy as determined by government.  (Administration (government).  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Administration_(government), retrieved 21 April, 2011.)”


In the United States of America, administration refers to the executive branch under a specific president (or sometimes a governor, a mayor, or some other local executive).  For instance, the “Obama Administration”.  “It can also mean an executive branch agency headed by an administrator: these agencies tend to have a regulatory function as well as an administrate function.  The term is also sometimes used to refer to the time a given person was president, i.e. “…since the Reagan administration.”  (Administration (government).  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Administration_(government), retrieved 21 April, 2011.)”



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