Should politics “infect” everything?
We need a reevaluation about how we think about politics, it’s already in everything
A few weeks ago, I put out a piece that looked into the recent political donation trends of candy manufacturers. I did so because I as a candy consumer was curious, and because I thought others may find it interesting to consider these patterns. This isn’t the first time I’ve explored such themes; I have previously written similar pieces around the 4th of July. I firmly believe that for those who are inclined, being informed and thoughtful about the political leanings of the companies to which they purchase things from can quite insightful. I’ve modified my purchases after discovering how companies treat their workers, weigh in on social and economic topics, and thinking about how they spend money in politics is just another piece of information.
In the US we have loads of data and a somewhat transparent record of political contributions. In terms of tracking federal political donations, OpenSecrets.org is the best resources because it empowers people with information in relatively easily searchable formats, and in turn enables those who seek such information to make informed choices.
When my university showcased my article on their social media, it started a discussion. Among the various reactions, one question that stuck with me was: “Must politics infect everything?” This sentiment mirrors the familiar exasperation I often hear: “Ugh, must everything be about politics????”. To me, the reality is undeniable: everything is inherently political. Recognizing the political dimensions in spaces that might seem non-political is not only insightful but also a really neat thing about being in a democratic system such as our own.
We might benefit from rethinking our approach to “politics”. Instead of perceiving it as a damaging influence, it’s important to acknowledge that politics is simply embedded in both the significant and the mundane aspects of our everyday existence. I emphasize to my undergraduate students annually that “everything is political,” and I stand by this notion — understanding that it’s not a negative perspective, but a realistic one.
Understanding the Ubiquity of Politics
Politics and government effect so many facets of our lives, including tons of things that are not obvious. For example, government regulations dictate which animals may be kept as pets, determine the permitted ingredients in our food, and even set standards like observing Daylight Saving Time — which have now made me feel like I want to be asleep in bed before 7 pm here in New York.
And of course, while candy manufacturers may not be directly involved in setting policies on pet ownership or Daylight Saving Time, they probably do have clear preferences on food ingredient regulations, but the greater point is that their political contributions do play a role in shaping the legislative environment. Understanding where these companies align politically helps us discern the potential influence they have on policy-making processes that, while seemingly distant from the act of candy-making, can have far-reaching effects on our society.
When we grasp how politics touches various areas of life, we provide ourselves with more knowledge to make informed decisions that best serve our interests. This understanding is a good skill to have, not one to be derided.
At its core, politics is concerned with how resources are allocated, which values are recognized and given importance, and how power is distributed. The design of our neighborhoods, the quality of the air we breathe, and the content of our educational curricula are all molded by political choices. Consider the debate over funding for public transportation versus highways: this is a political issue with significant consequences for urban planning, environmental health, and either the reduction or widening of socio-economic inequalities — and these are debates that many industries and companies have interests in influence.
Corporations in the United States wield significant influence in politics. This fact is the focus of Lee Drutman’s widely referenced book, “The business of America is lobbying: How corporations became politicized and politics became more corporate,” which examines the growth of lobbying as a strategic function for American businesses and its transformative effect on the policy-making process. Furthermore, Alexander Hertel-Fernandez’s book “State capture: how conservative activists, big businesses, and wealthy donors reshaped the American states — and the nation” digs into how big businesses, among others have managed to reshape state policies and, by extension, national politics.
Therefore, it’s not about viewing thinking about politics as a contaminant to these realms, but rather understanding that these areas are fundamentally political by nature. And this isn’t new, politics has always been entwined with business sectors. The issue isn’t politics encroaching upon untouched ground; it’s about recognizing its perpetual influence. Recognizing this doesn’t have to carry a negative connotation — it’s simply acknowledging a persistent reality.
The Hopeful Aspect of Political Knowledge
Once we understand that politics is everywhere, we can start to use this knowledge to our advantage. When we understand politics, we have more power. Because we can use that information to make choices that matter. It helps us make choices that agree with what we believe in. For example, if we know how a company uses its money to support certain politicians or policies, we can decide if we want to buy from them or not. This way, we can support what we stand for in politics through our everyday decisions.
If you discover that a company you buy from supports a politician or party you disagree with, you don’t simply have to stop buying from them (of course). Instead, it’s an opportunity to reflect on what this difference in preferences signifies. Political matters are complex, and every issue has its subtleties. For example, say you usually support the Republican Party and you like shopping on Amazon. If you find out that in 2022 Amazon and Amazon employees gave nearly 70% of their political donations to Democrats, this doesn’t necessarily mean you should boycott their services. It could be a chance to investigate why Amazon chose this approach and to try to understand the details of their donation patterns.
When looking into Amazon’s overall company made political contributions, an interesting fact is that their largest donation went to GOPAC, a group focused on training Republican state and local officials. Why is that? Perhaps they wanted more Republican legislators in positions of power, but weren’t satisfied with the candidates in 2022. Amazon also donated equal amounts to both the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and the National Republican Senatorial Committee, as well as their counterparts in the House. This might suggest that Amazon aims to maintain good relationships with whoever is in power, engaging in strategic rather than ideological giving.
I can’t say exactly why Amazon donates in the way it does, but starting with an awareness of their political expenditures is the first step in thinking about these things, and that feels closer to healing and figuring something out rather than infecting. Understanding the detailed patterns in political donations can help us see politics as a flexible system rather than a simple yes-or-no choice. This perspective allows us to move beyond simple red and blue views and understand the shades of purple, helping us appreciate different viewpoints.
Exploring and discussing how money is donated politically is a small but meaningful way to encourage people to take part in understanding politics. By showing how it ties into our daily lives, we can motivate more people do things like vote and consider running for public office. If looking at how money flows in politics can ignite thoughtful discussions or prompt someone to take action, then it’s beneficial — not a negative influence.
Everyone, regardless of background or aspirations, is a part of politics. Our bodies and our dollars play a significant role in shaping governmental actions and policies, and opting out due to ignorance or fear can lead to outcomes that we don’t want, but are entirely able to avoid by learning and doing more. Actively engaging and acquiring knowledge about politics enables us to be a part of decision-making processes and to advocate for our interests.
Instead of lamenting the constant presence of politics, we should welcome it. Politics isn’t something that just comes along and contaminates; it’s woven into our society. The fact that politics touches every aspect of our lives should not lead us to skepticism but should be viewed as a chance for engagement, deeper understanding, and constructive change.
