Discussion Project - Exploring intuitions about 'politics'

Part I

Spend a few minutes writing brief answers to the following questions:

1. What comes to mind when you hear the word 'politics'?

2. Do you think of yourself as having a political position or stance or philosophy? If so, what is it?

3. Do you think that human nature places limitations on what sorts of political systems are realistic or possible? Explain briefly. Perhaps you could fill in the blanks in the following sentence: Because people are naturally _________, any feasible political system must (or must not) __________ .

Part II

In your small group…

1. Have each person share with the group what they wrote in answer to question 1 above. Then do the same for question 2, then for question 3.

2. Spend some time discussing whatever similarities and differences there are in your answers to question 3. Try to iron out the differences and agree on a group answer. If this is impossible, then record majority and minority positions.

3. Keeping in mind your answers to question 1 (in part I above), try to agree on a definition of 'politics.'