Politics of the Self: the Power of Personal Agency

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The personal is political. Nothing is apolitical in this universe. Even your choice of what to wear in the morning is political. 

Politics is about power dynamics within relationships in society. Your relationship with the State is the most political because again, the Weberian concept that the State has the monopoly on the legitimate use of force and thus holds immense power. 

But politics does not stay solely and squarely within your relationship with the State. Your relationship with your family members, your friends, your significant other, your co-workers, the people in your church, in your community, at school - all of those relationships are political. 

 Even this next relationship is political, and it is the most important political relationship you will ever have - your relationship with yourself is political. How you see yourself, your values, your principles, your aspirations, your personality - all of those are formed by power dynamics within and externally. Do you think logically, or do you wear your heart on your sleeve - that's a classic internal power play at hand, one between the mind and the heart. 

Why is this political relationship important? Because believe it or not, the power dynamics at play in your self-relationship is the tensest power struggle you'll ever face. It's difficult to fight inner demons, to reconcile with yourself, to forgive yourself, to understand what you truly want in life. Recognising that your relationship with yourself is political allows you to harness the power within to give you the most significant 'weapon' in your daily arsenal: the power of personal agency. You navigate through this internal tension on a daily basis, and once you harness the power of personal agency through this navigation, everyday external politics becomes relatively easier. 

So to those who say "I don't participate in politics because I am not interested in it," I suggest you take a good look in the mirror, change your mindset, and participate in this political tension. Even if you choose to be passive about politics, you cannot escape political tension, because you have one within you.

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