GIOP PRESIDENTIAL LECTURE SERIES

POLITICAL EDUCATION LECTURE NOTE

LECTURER:
H.E. Prof. Dr. Nana Kwabena Kwaning
President, Global Institute of Politicians (GIOP)

TOPIC:

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN POLITICS AND PARTY

1. INTRODUCTION

Politics and political parties are closely connected within modern democratic systems, but they are not the same concept.

Politics is a broad social and institutional activity concerned with the organisation of society, governance, public authority, decision-making and the wellbeing of citizens. A political party, on the other hand, is an organised group of people who share particular political interests, ideas, objectives or programmes.

Understanding this distinction is important for citizens, political practitioners, students, researchers and future political leaders.

2. POLITICS

Definition

Politics is an ancient and evolving concept that has emerged through traditional societies, community-based organisations, civil society organisations, religious institutions, stakeholders, authorities and various systems of governance.

Politics concerns the exercise and organisation of public power and the processes through which societies make decisions affecting their members.

Politics — As Defined by Dr. Nana Kwabena Kwaning

“Politics sets the records straight through its numerous definitions. Data indicates that the principles of politics in diverse standards coined by all philosophers attached same with democracy and different types of governance that still works for the wellbeing of the people in terse.”

From this perspective, politics is connected with democratic governance, constitutional arrangements, laws, conventions, treaties and other recognised systems through which societies organise public affairs.

Politics, therefore, is presented in this lecture as being concerned fundamentally with the people and their collective wellbeing.

Key characteristics of politics

Politics may involve:

• Public decision-making
• Governance and administration
• Exercise of political authority
• Representation of citizens
• Development of public policies
• Constitutional government
• Political participation
• Protection of public interests
• Accountability and responsibility
• Peaceful resolution of competing interests

3. PARTY

Definition

A political party is an organised group of people who share common political interests, principles, objectives, beliefs or programmes.

Political parties normally develop organisational structures and internal rules and participate in political processes, including elections and public policy debates.

Party — As Defined by Dr. Nana Kwabena Kwaning

“Party is defined as certain group of people who share common interest and concept that might turn everything to their fortunes even though majority may perish — et pereat mundus — that makes party known as egoist.”

According to the lecture, political parties may engage stakeholders and establish their own constitutions and organisational structures while operating within the laws of the sovereign state.

The lecture therefore distinguishes the broader concept of politics from the organisational nature of a political party.

4. POLITICS AND PARTY: THE DISTINCTION

5. THE PHILOSOPHICAL DISTINCTION

A central proposition of this lecture is that politics should be understood beyond the interests of individual political parties.

Political parties are participants within the political system. They are not necessarily synonymous with politics itself.

Consequently, political education should encourage citizens and political practitioners to recognise the difference between:

Politics as a broader public institution and practice, and

Party as an organised political association pursuing particular objectives.

6. POLITICS AND PUBLIC INTEREST

The lecture presents politics as having a fundamental responsibility toward the wider population.

From this perspective:

Politics is for the people, by the people, and for the wellbeing of the people.

The proposition places emphasis on:

• Public service
• Responsible leadership
• Ethical political conduct
• Transparency
• Accountability
• Constitutional governance
• Sustainable development
• The welfare of citizens

These principles are particularly relevant to civic and political education because citizens must be able to distinguish political institutions, political organisations and the broader public interest.

7. POLITICAL PARTIES AND ORGANISATIONAL INTERESTS

Political parties have legitimate roles within democratic systems.

They can:

• Mobilise citizens
• Develop political programmes
• Recruit political candidates
• Participate in elections
• Represent particular interests
• Debate public policy
• Provide political leadership
• Form governments where constitutionally authorised
• Provide opposition and scrutiny

However, the existence of a political party does not mean that the interests of the party and the interests of the entire population are automatically identical.

This distinction makes political education important for democratic citizenship.

8. SUMMARY OF THE LECTURE

The lecture advances the following conceptual distinction:

POLITICS

Politics is presented as altruistic, with an emphasis on the wellbeing and interests of the wider population.

PARTY

Party is presented in the lecturer’s formulation as potentially egoistic, because a party is an organised group pursuing its own political interests, objectives and fortunes.

This formulation is intended as a philosophical and educational distinction rather than a claim that every political party or every political actor necessarily behaves in the same manner.

9. THE GIOP PRINCIPLE

The Global Institute of Politicians promotes political education centred on responsible political practice, ethical leadership, good governance and service to humanity.

The distinction presented in this lecture encourages political practitioners to consider an important question:

Should political power ultimately serve the interests of the political organisation, or should political power be exercised in the wider public interest?

For GIOP’s political education programme, the answer is framed around responsible political practice and service to humanity.

10. KEY STATEMENT

POLITICS EST PRO POPULO, PARTY EST PRO PAUCIS.

Politics is for the people; Party is for the few.

This statement summarises the philosophical distinction advanced by the lecturer.

11. LEARNING OBJECTIVES

At the end of this lecture, students and participants should be able to:

1. Define politics.
2. Explain the concept of a political party.
3. Distinguish politics from political parties.
4. Explain the role of political parties within democratic systems.
5. Discuss the relationship between political power and public interest.
6. Explain why civic political education is important.
7. Examine the principles of responsible and ethical political practice.

12. CONCLUSION

Politics extends beyond the existence of political parties. Political parties constitute organised participants within the broader political environment.

A politically educated citizen should therefore be able to distinguish between political power, political institutions, political parties and the public interest.

The ultimate objective of civic political education should be to encourage citizens and political practitioners to understand their rights, responsibilities and obligations within constitutional and democratic governance.

GIOP PRESIDENTIAL LECTURE SERIES

National Civic Political Education

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WHO IS A POLITICIAN?

Global Institute of Politicians — GIOP
Excellence in Politics / Service to Humanity