The need to contribute one's quota to issues relating to policies and decisions, in addition to partaking in the activities targeted towards socio-economic cum political development, has often motivated the drive towards individual participation in politics and political activities.
According to Harold Lasswell, politics entails "who gets what, when, how and why". As such, the idea towards political involvement revolves around the allocation of resources or values within a given polity. This was however buttressed by David Eastons, in his conception of politics as "the authoritative allocation of values".
Rising from this, it is evident that politics constitutes an indispensable aspect of our existence within a given state and cannot be divulged from other aspects of our involvement in actions and activities that characterizes our polity.
Furthermore, the idea of political involvement or activism has been such a contentious one, as most individuals conceive politics as a 'dirty game'. This is unarguably an expression of opinions which are basically instigated by the manner in which these individuals see politics and it's attendant activities.
But far from that, politics may partly be assumed to be a 'double-edged sword', which shuttles within the corridors of positivity and negativity. On a positive perspective, politics poses a a reliable tool that contributes tremendously in the organization of the state, through setting up an acceptable machinery that will create the atmosphere for the successful realization of the goals of the state, through effective allocation of resources and the formulation and implementation of relevant policies and decisions for the people. The idea of politics has the potential to inculcate acceptable qualities like: general awareness, keeping abreast with current happenings, and above all, the development of leadership potentials which manifests in given individuals, owing to their dedication and engagements in politics and political activities. Individuals who venture into politics are usually good orators. They become assertive by shedding their timidity and shyness, in addition to standing bold to tackle problems, solve disputes and handle crisis situations, however small or big, and this no doubt, infuses confidence in them.
But on the contrary, the outcomes of political events, especially in this contemporary era has negatively influenced the view held by diverse individuals on the acceptability of politics as a game that seeks collective interest and development of collective. This stems from the undue clash of interests among politicians, and the unfortunate display of aristocratic effects, thereby making politics to emerge as a game that seeks to satisfy the exploitative and selfish interests of politicians, as against the collective goals and interests of the people. Aside these, the activities of politics has since the recent years been characterized by violence, ritual killings, betrayal, non-fulfilment of promises, electoral malpractices, among others.
But in this midst of all these, the improvement on the understanding of the modalities involved in leadership or governance, and subsequent development of political skills and the attendant confidence bestowed on individuals as a result of their involvement in politics no doubt provide hope for a better tomorrow.
