Everything is Political: Even If It Doesn't Feel Like It

    In a time marked by rising political tension and instability around the world, awareness of politics is no longer limited to adults. Even children are noticing its presence and its unfairness. Whether we choose to stay informed or avoid it in search of peace of mind, one truth remains: politics shapes, manages, and influences nearly every part of our lives, including our yeses and no’s.

Throughout a single day, people form countless opinions, for instance, what to wear, how to speak, what to say, and how to act. If we look closely, many of these decisions are not as neutral as they seem. In one way or another, they are shaped by systems, expectations, and influences that are political in nature.

But what exactly is politics? There is no single universally agreed definition. One well known explanation, by Harold Lasswell (1936), describes politics as “who gets what, when, and how.” In this sense, politics is about the distribution of power, resources, and values within a society. It is a process of decision-making, resolving conflict, and exercising influence.

Understanding this allows us to move beyond the narrow view of politics as something limited to governments. Politics is not always loud or obvious. More often, it exists quietly within what we consider normal, such as media platforms, where certain ideas are promoted while others are limited.

This is why awareness matters.

Without recognizing the political dimension of everyday life, people may begin to accept systems as natural or unchangeable. Inequality can seem like coincidence, privilege can appear as earned, and exclusion can feel inevitable. 

Awareness challenges this way of thinking. It encourages us to ask important questions: Why is this the way it is? Who benefits from it? And who does not?

A person who understands how decisions are made and power is exercised is better positioned to navigate, challenge, or work within those systems. Therefore, to say that everything is political is not to claim that everything is hostile or divisive. Rather, it is to recognize that life unfolds within structures that shape outcomes, often quietly, often persistently.

And once seen, they are difficult to ignore.