This essay will use the article In New Tactic, Militants Burn Houses in Iraq from the New York Times, to demonstrate the application of different definitions of politics, pertaining to the war on terrorism.
Politics can be interpreted in so many ways and its definitions are plenty. What may be politics of our government can also be the same politics in our homes, schools, social circles, etc. This essay will use the article 'In New Tactic, Militants Burn Houses in Iraq' from the New York Times, to demonstrate the application of different definitions of politics, pertaining to the war on terrorism. It will assess the article's informativeness; particularly its background information on the issue, the identities involved, and the issue's significance to countries. It will then identify the article's strengths and weaknesses in helping people form opinions on the war on terrorism.
The article starts with Cave reporting Iraq's civil war, where Sunni militants burned homes to intimidate Shiite pilgrims, demonstrating a definition of politics as "an activity aimed at achieving advantage over others in a particular group" (Times-Chambers Dictionary, 1997). The ploy to achieve higher authority over others also demonstrates Lasswell's definition of politics: "who gets what, when, how" (Tansey, 1995). Considering a more inclusive explanation of politics is also useful. The Islamic conflict, which according to Ghosh is actually 'a fight for political domination' (Ghosh, 2007), demonstrates Leftwich's understanding that politics is in this case, is conflict that not only exists in the government but also "between groups, institutions and societies" (Leftwich, 2003). The article's last paragraphs, where Cave reports Bush's conference with Iran and Syria officials, presents a definition of politics put forward by Crick: "Free discussion of issues between democratic societies without undue violence" (Tansey, 1995). The US invasion of Iraq can also be looked at as a 'clash of civilizations' (Huntington, 2003) and 'American political hegemony' (Bovard, 2003).
The article starts with Cave reporting Iraq's civil war, where Sunni militants burned homes to intimidate Shiite pilgrims, demonstrating a definition of politics as "an activity aimed at achieving advantage over others in a particular group" (Times-Chambers Dictionary, 1997). The ploy to achieve higher authority over others also demonstrates Lasswell's definition of politics: "who gets what, when, how" (Tansey, 1995). Considering a more inclusive explanation of politics is also useful. The Islamic conflict, which according to Ghosh is actually 'a fight for political domination' (Ghosh, 2007), demonstrates Leftwich's understanding that politics is in this case, is conflict that not only exists in the government but also "between groups, institutions and societies" (Leftwich, 2003). The article's last paragraphs, where Cave reports Bush's conference with Iran and Syria officials, presents a definition of politics put forward by Crick: "Free discussion of issues between democratic societies without undue violence" (Tansey, 1995). The US invasion of Iraq can also be looked at as a 'clash of civilizations' (Huntington, 2003) and 'American political hegemony' (Bovard, 2003).
