Encyclopedia:
Politician,
Talk:Politician,
Radical politician,
Politics of the United States,
User:Politician,
List of Swedish politicians,
Cleophon (politician),
Independent (politician),
Politics of the United Kingdom,
List of Muslim leaders and politicians
politician is an individual who is a formally recognized and active member of a
government, or a person who influences the way a
society is governed through an understanding of
political power and
group dynamics. This includes people who hold decision making positions in government, and people who seek those positions, whether by means of
election,
coup d'etat, appointment,
electoral fraud,
conquest, right of
inheritance (see also:
divine right), or other means.
Definitions
Considered a politician
* A person who is active in
party politics.
* A person who has the power to galvanize
public opinion.
* In a
state, a member of the
executive branch of government and the office of
Head of State, as well as the
legislative branch, and regional and local levels of government.
* Any person manipulating group opinions in his or her favor can be termed a politician. For example, a worker participating in
office politics is a politician, but only so far as the operations of his or her workplace are concerned.
* Some members of law enforcement, such as
sheriffs, and many
judges who are elected or appointed because of their political views or popularity.
Not considered a politician
* Members of government who serve purely functional roles, such as low ranking
bureaucrats* Members of the
judicial branch, law enforcement, and the
military are not usually regarded as being politicians, despite the fact that they are involved in the decision process of government.
* Ordinary citizens with the power to vote
cannot properly be called politicians even though they can participate in group decision making. A politician participates in public debate that leads to a group decision being reached, while a voter is simply responding to that debate.
Criticism
Although politics has historically been considered an
honorable profession, many people today have a poor opinion of politicians as a
class. Not only do people oftentimes disagree with their policies, they are sometimes seen as unscrupulous, willing to do anything to gain power, or abusive of their position and privileges.
Politicians can also be criticized for becoming "career politicians." A politician who makes politics the source of their income, yet has to face re-election every few years can be less likely to make bold decisions or side with an unpopular bill. Some feel that fear of "rocking the boat" leads to a stagnant political climate, in which it becomes hard to address injustices and create change. Various measures have been taken to mitigate this effect, such as the implementation of
term limits.
see also: political corruption References
* Welch, Susan, John Gruhl, John Comer, and Susan M. Rigdon."Understanding American Government. 8th ed. Belmont, USA: Thompson Wadsworth, 2006"
*
http://www.webster.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?sourceid=Mozilla-search&va=politician "Merriam Webster Online Dictionary." Definition of politician 5 June 2006 See also
*
Richest American politicians*
Richest British politicians*
Political compass*
Political party*
Muslim politicians*
Politicians with Doctorates External links
*
http://politicalgraveyard.com/chrono/index.html List of American Politicians by Year Born or DiedPolitician*als:Politikerbs:Političarcy:Gwleidyddda:Politikerde:Politikerel:Πολιτικόςes:Políticoeo:Politikistofr:Personnalité politiqueid:Politikusit:Politicohe:פוליטיקאיku:Ramyarnl:Politicusja:政治家nn:Politikarpl:Politykpt:Políticoru:Политикsq:Politikanisimple:Politiciansk:Politiksl:Politiksh:Političarfi:Poliitikkosv:Politikeruk:Політикzh:政治家