Until September 18, the annual congress of the American Political Science Association (APSA) is held in Montreal, the largest and most prestigious meeting of political scientists in the world (yes, the United States continues to dominate the scientific world ). It is an opportune moment to reflect on the role that politics plays in our societies, our economies and our private lives.
Posted at 3:00 p.m.
If not everything is and must not be political, politics is almost everywhere. Take the economic situation. From Russia’s weaponization of gas to Sino-US tensions in the Taiwan Strait to the lockdown that has disrupted supply chains, it’s largely political variables that are pushing up inflation that we hadn’t known for 40 years.
Political decisions affect supply (of Russian gas or Taiwanese semiconductors) as well as demand (through fiscal policy, regulation or political risk management). If the market is governed by its own laws, none escapes the influence of politics.
Another example: health.
Who, in a Quebec that spends 13% of its GDP on health, can believe that the dysfunctions of the system are not attributable to political forces such as the electoral game, the weight of the lobby of doctors and the organization of the administration? public?
Last example: fundamental rights, themselves linked to our intimate life. If the constitutions and charters founding the power of judges exist, it is because they are the result of political processes that created them – and can change them. The revocation of the judgment Roe v. wade on the right to abortion in the United States reminds us that ifineit is always the politician who will have to decide.
Between freedom and conflict
Politics is the capacity to exercise collective choices according to our ideas and our values. For better or for worse, because who says choice says freedom, but also conflict and sometimes even domination or violence. Politics makes winners and losers.
To ignore the political phenomenon is therefore at best to disregard a large part of the human experience; at worst, it means neglecting crucial variables that affect our level and quality of life, our dignity sometimes, but also peace, security and the environment on a planetary scale.
What has always been a truth is so today in a singular way. Because we are living in an exceptionally political moment.
The pandemic and geopolitical tensions signal a return of the state: everywhere, public spending is increasing and, in a growing number of countries, the authoritarian tendency is blatant. In the north as in the south, the highlighting of inequalities fuels systemic opposition and sharpens conflicts between social groups. On a global scale, the climate emergency calls for a collective response that will have to go through the establishment of political institutions that are up to the challenge.
concern for the public interest
More than ever, the world needs political scientists. That is to say, professionals who have received rigorous training in political phenomena backed by advanced knowledge and the development of technical and social skills specific to political science.
Contrary to popular belief, the vast majority of political scientists do not become politicians. Alongside economists and jurists who have their own field of expertise, they work as analysts, advisers, public relations officers, diplomats and managers. Often close to elected officials and decision-makers whose cabinets and administrations they populate.
Whether in public administration, in the National Assembly, in an international organization or, increasingly, in the private sector, political scientists serve the public good. Sensitive to political phenomena, agile and equipped with a wide-angle view of the world, they diagnose the balance of power in order to preserve our freedom of action.