The Obscure Political Sphere of Influence

The majority might be straying away from politics, however, only a few might be aware of its significant value and importance amongst our species. It is a game of shadows fought between figures that possess a tight grip over our actions, desires and ambitions. We may see politicians squabbling amongst themselves on live television, daily, however it is not them or the show they present that one should be worried about. For, there are affairs that take place, in secret, between those who we know nothing of, that would have the final say about what conspires among the masses. Politics is not conducted in broad daylight, since the real art of politics is practiced in utter obscurity through the actions of powerful individuals, whom work towards advancing their own agendas. To understand politics, we must understand human nature. Our strengths and weaknesses are major drives that give politicians an edge, whilst they make the decisions for how we live. However, politics, as a subject, is larger than the role it exhibits within governmental affairs. The association between various groups, the collaboration amongst these groups, the provisions of an individual's needs and wants, the establishment of various freedoms and securities, are all impacted severely by political influence. Politics is strategy, in which one utilizes as a means to meet one's end. But one does not seem to understand this vital concept nowadays, as people continue to cede power to the ignorant, corrupt or dangerous figures. Politics is a shared concept that should be exposed to all the various classes of society. "Politics is too serious of a matter to be left to the politicians", as Charles De Gaulle said. As a society, the people wish to be governed by more virtuous means to gain a happier life. However, such desire is merely used as a way to feel hopeful about what to expect. People usually do not "actually" commit to such desires to lead a content life. Al-Farabi observed such matters, even though it was centuries ago, that people are more drawn to ignorant, perverted and mistaken states or individuals of political life. This is still seen today, as the people have a hard time figuring out what is the right course of action to take and how politics is a major force in swaying such matters.

The political turmoil over the past ten years that is spreading like wildfire throughout the world has made the majority's uncertainty level, towards life, hazy. The people have given rise to the undependable populists and leftists, whom if we have read history, have always accumulated power over the people's anger, worries and desperation. They have directed the world on a path, where no return seems possible. And if one does not look back onto history, then they are doomed to repeat it. Political actions are being taken in the form of business arrangements. If one nation were to see a profitable return towards conducting a war or interfering in smaller nations affairs, then such political actions would be taken on a whim. The recent withdrawal by American forces from Afghanistan served as a major political move to disrupt the region, while leaving countless of lives on the balance of total destruction and disarray. Governments have reinstated their absurd usage of scapegoating, propaganda and purge procedures to establish political obedience over the masses, under the banners of freedom or change, like the recent downsizing of businesses by Chinese regulators or the opening up of unseen of leisure’s within Saudi Arabia’s most recent modernization. The political transition, that is occurring behind the scenes, has given a clear indication that the practitioners of capitalism, protectors of the world's environmental accord and supporters of globalization are moving into the hands of the Communists in the East rather than the Democrats in the West. Allies, whom seemed inseparable, have now grown further apart (The US and France) and some have even turned against each other (The US and China). The world is moving backwards politically, rather than forwards, as most world powers are being led by narrowminded, insecure, conservative and even unpredictable characters. Today's leaders, act interested towards what the people have to say but they make decisions based on their own initiatives. The truth in the matter is, leaders are beginning to do less listening and more talking, when it should be balanced out. Such attitude has left the political spectrum seem shady and opaque, as the distance between governments and the people are quite apparent. When assessing the political mess occurring in regions, such as the Middle East, people are beginning to get confused as to with whom they are following, what to believe, where are they heading, what is their current stance and among other questions that need clarity. Such clarity may only be provided by governments, yet, judging by the type of governments and leaders currently reigning over the Middle East, transparency seizes to exist. The fault is of the people, as they have forgotten their obligation towards participating in political affairs and have retreated towards a life of seclusion, minding their own business, believing it to be the right thing to do. Such counters the behaviours of people of the past, such as during the ancient Greeks. Among those influential ancients was Aristotle, who found that having a consistent active participation within government affairs, by citizens, was the road to a healthier society.

Most people, especially among the younger generations, are growing further adrift from politics. They view politics as the action that takes places within and between governments. Furthermore, politics is being viewed as a devilish field to participate in, which consists of manipulation, misdirection, dangerous and even having a sense of godlessness attached to it. Probably that is true with the way the world is heading towards as Bertrand Russell viewed it, "The world is becoming more Machiavellian". This shows most people's understanding of politics is misleading and faulty. For, politics, ideally, exists and is required within our daily lives for a number of reasons. When we decide to pursue a career, build a business, be sociable, start a relationship, manage a team or conduct an artistic performance, all these paths are initiated by one's political instinct. Politics is the ability to decide, for oneself, and come up with the right course of action to fulfil a certain commitment. The strategy that one would choose to approach any scenario in life is, by nature, a political act. At least, that is how politics was perceived throughout the earliest records of human history. Politics has evolved since then to allow others to dictate the terms on how we live our lives. The various types of governments, existing today, are the direct result of the type of people that allowed such states to rise and become their guardians. Nothing is new, though, with how power is being dealt with in the political spectrum. The only differences we may spot are the ways in which politics has been transformed through the transition of power from one nation to another. Between the 15th and 19th centuries, the Ottomans amassed a significant amount of power that had it appear to be the superpower during those years. Although, the meaning of being a superpower was quite different, as it was only referred to towards a super-being; since God was usually placed in the centre of our political attention, such gradually changed to becoming man as the main focus and drive for political application. The Ottomans held a large influence on much of the occupied world, if not directly then indirectly. Gradually, Europe began to rise up to the challenge, becoming a centre of knowledge, industry and military might. After WWII, there was a power shift, where Europe no longer held the higher ranks, rather, it was the United States that emerged to the world arena as the leaders of the free world. Especially after the collapse of the Soviet Union, their influence through customs, traditions and language has allowed the United States to become a "shining" example of what modernization and development would appear like. Yet, politics is a risky business. Since, the core of the political agenda is handling of power, not every individual, group or nation has the persistent ability to sustain power, for too long. Like ice, power is as slippy if not wisely understood and used.

The world is heading towards another manmade apocalypse, where nations are competing against each other by promoting waves of nationalism, patriotism and militarization. The west, such as the US, are retreating furthermore towards isolationism, while the East, such as China, is being encouraged to think of expansion. A huge gap within the political world order has been left by the US, which is gradually growing and having other world powers to fight to take a piece of this large pie. Europe is going through another crisis, similar to how it occurred before the two Great Wars, in which German power in the continent is weighing down, due to internal political struggle by the newly formulated government and rise of the right and left-wing parties, while France is emerging as the new caretaker of European affairs. Middle Eastern affairs has taken new heights, with nations such as Saudi Arabia taking swift action to patch up their mistakes in the region. As the Saudis, initially, adopted a silent approach which unintentionally strengthened their main rival, Iran. The new battlefield for another great war, seems to have shifted from the European scene and onto Middle Eastern soil. War seems to be inevitable and as Carl Von Clausewitz, the famous Prussian Military General and Theorist in the 19th century stated, "War is politics by other means". While Arab nations are poking and fighting each other, one sees it as a way to accumulate power, when the truth is they are fighting for the sake of survival. For the true enemy, in the matter, is foreign intervention. The US and Russia have played their hand in splitting the Middle East, using the excuse of the Sunni and Shiite differences to further their agendas in gaining a tighter grip on the region's resources. The people of the Middle East might be aware of such circumstance but appear to be helpless to change anything, as they think it is not in their hands to instigate any changes. War is inevitable, however, if a war must be fought then the people should understand why is there being a war fought, in the first place, and with whom is the war truly fought for and against. The people have the power to bring an end to this, if only a stand was taken through the proposition of mutual goals that would help unite the masses. This goal should be for the sake of the people's sovereignty, freedom, security and livelihood. Leaders are necessary to help guide the masses, however, to find the right type of leaders the people must change their perception of what a leader is, by principle. In the Middle East, for instance, appointed leaders usually should come from backgrounds depending on class or family. A leader can be anyone among the population, whom possess the capabilities, merits and will to make a stand and set a plan to direct the masses out of the current political mess. Due to the complexity of the political spectrum in the Middle East, such as the deep sectarian divisions and various political powers that have a hand in creating such a poor political scenario, unification seems impossible especially when the people blindly follow illogical and singular-minded leaders.

Now, new threats have emerged from the horizon, beyond the typical tit for tat between world powers. Notable examples include the global pandemic that has stifled and drastically upended norms, standards and traditions, the rise of AI and cyber warfare, environmental concerns due to global warming that was poorly addressed by the recent Climate Summit in Glasgow, economic concerns like supply and labour shortages due to the damage incurred by the pandemic, and even the emergence of the metaverse which threatens reality itself. All these concerns are bound to be met with a political reaction, which if it is not properly catered to, may cause serious societal damage in the long run. And the only way we can address such concerns, is through the restructuring of power dynamics, notions and behaviours for the sake of the longevity and stability of our world in the years to come.