In Defence of Politics

At a time of brittle cynicism about the activities of politicians, this essay, which has been specially revised for Penguins, makes an attempt to justify politics in plain words by saying what it is.

In a civilised community, which is no mere tribe, the establishment among rival groups and interests of political order- of agreed rules for the game – marks the birth of freedom. In spite of the compromises, deals, half-measures, and bargains which prompt impatient idealists to regard politics as a dirty word – indeed, because of them – the negotiating processes of politics remain the only tested alternative to government by outright coercion.