High politics
Encyclopedia
Within the subfield of international relations
, and political science
as a whole, the concept high politics covers all matters that are vital to the very survival of the state
: namely national and international security
concerns. It is often used in opposition to "low politics".
Although the idea of high politics has been present in all cultures and epochs, Hobbes was the first to enunciate that survival (of trade, the laws, societal order, etc.) hinges upon a finite number of ingredients. For him, these ingredients were embodied and provided by the State. However, interpreting Hobbes, these ingredients are what we call "high politics."
The term "high politics" in itself was probably coined during the Cold War
, given the stakes of an atomic war. The advent of the atomic bomb made it clear what was ultimately worth fighting for and what was not. Hence, made clear what "high politics" meant. In that sense, the United States
and the former USSR would have gone to war
for a direct atomic threat (see Cuban Missile Crisis
), but would have never gone to war over "low politics", say, a boycott
of the Olympic games (see 1980 Summer Olympics
). Trade
, for all its importance, is considered by most political scientists as "low politics", as it depends on specific security conditions to come into effect.
International relations
International relations is the study of relationships between countries, including the roles of states, inter-governmental organizations , international nongovernmental organizations , non-governmental organizations and multinational corporations...
, and political science
Political science
Political Science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, government and politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state. It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems and political behavior...
as a whole, the concept high politics covers all matters that are vital to the very survival of the state
State (polity)
A state is an organized political community, living under a government. States may be sovereign and may enjoy a monopoly on the legal initiation of force and are not dependent on, or subject to any other power or state. Many states are federated states which participate in a federal union...
: namely national and international security
Security
Security is the degree of protection against danger, damage, loss, and crime. Security as a form of protection are structures and processes that provide or improve security as a condition. The Institute for Security and Open Methodologies in the OSSTMM 3 defines security as "a form of protection...
concerns. It is often used in opposition to "low politics".
Although the idea of high politics has been present in all cultures and epochs, Hobbes was the first to enunciate that survival (of trade, the laws, societal order, etc.) hinges upon a finite number of ingredients. For him, these ingredients were embodied and provided by the State. However, interpreting Hobbes, these ingredients are what we call "high politics."
The term "high politics" in itself was probably coined during the Cold War
Cold War
The Cold War was the continuing state from roughly 1946 to 1991 of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition between the Communist World—primarily the Soviet Union and its satellite states and allies—and the powers of the Western world, primarily the United States...
, given the stakes of an atomic war. The advent of the atomic bomb made it clear what was ultimately worth fighting for and what was not. Hence, made clear what "high politics" meant. In that sense, the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and the former USSR would have gone to war
War
War is a state of organized, armed, and often prolonged conflict carried on between states, nations, or other parties typified by extreme aggression, social disruption, and usually high mortality. War should be understood as an actual, intentional and widespread armed conflict between political...
for a direct atomic threat (see Cuban Missile Crisis
Cuban Missile Crisis
The Cuban Missile Crisis was a confrontation among the Soviet Union, Cuba and the United States in October 1962, during the Cold War...
), but would have never gone to war over "low politics", say, a boycott
Boycott
A boycott is an act of voluntarily abstaining from using, buying, or dealing with a person, organization, or country as an expression of protest, usually for political reasons...
of the Olympic games (see 1980 Summer Olympics
1980 Summer Olympics
The 1980 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXII Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event celebrated in Moscow in the Soviet Union. In addition, the yachting events were held in Tallinn, and some of the preliminary matches and the quarter-finals of the football tournament...
). Trade
Trade
Trade is the transfer of ownership of goods and services from one person or entity to another. Trade is sometimes loosely called commerce or financial transaction or barter. A network that allows trade is called a market. The original form of trade was barter, the direct exchange of goods and...
, for all its importance, is considered by most political scientists as "low politics", as it depends on specific security conditions to come into effect.