Types of Political Strategies

 

Introduction

Numerous political tactics exist. People and groups can choose from a wide range of tactics if they want to act politically. The situation will determine the best course of action. Control the agenda, choosing the criteria for decision-making, limiting access to information and outside experts, limiting access to significant people, establishing a coalition, co-opt the opposition, redefining symbols, and managing people through integration or persuasion are more prevalent.

Control the Agenda

Most committee choices are based on the committee members' viewpoints as well as if the committee has enough time to conclude. Decisions can be delayed by removing items from the agenda, or they can be influenced by positioning items in specific locations. As opposed to items placed at the end of the agenda, items at the beginning of the agenda are typically discussed in greater detail, allowing for a greater tolerance for ambiguity and a wider consideration of empirical data. Many items near the end of the agenda are either decided quickly or ignored entirely.

Select the Decision Criteria

People typically try to base their decisions on some sort of objective standard. People who have the power to alter the decision-making criteria can therefore also influence the decision. The selective application of objective criteria can easily influence decision-making. There are numerous methods for evaluating the options in every circumstance when a decision must be made. A much more successful political tactic is to argue that the decision should be made based on the factors favoring the desired alternative rather than advocating for one's favorite alternative.

Control Access to Information

Information is a potent weapon in the power struggle, and those with access to it or the ability to filter or manipulate it frequently succeed in taking control of choices. To boost the political power of those who possess the information, sales estimates, wage data, quality reports, and many other pieces of information are usually considered confidential information. Negotiations between labor and management are also tainted by mistrust because each side tries to exploit information to its advantage. Although deliberate information manipulation is frequently used as a political power play, this process most frequently happens unintentionally.

Use Outside Experts

Regardless of the topic, outside experts can typically be found to back any position. As a result, people can affect the decision's outcome by carefully choosing the best outside expert and providing a place for that person to voice their viewpoint. In jury trials, where the names and reputations of the experts are more significant than the content of the testimony, the employment of outside experts as a political tactic is particularly glaring.

Control Access to Influential People

Because they never get to the people who can utilize them to make a difference, many excellent ideas and helpful proposals are rejected or disregarded. This is because fresh ideas frequently upset the apple cart and put people's employment in danger. Lower-level employees are frequently successfully prevented by middle managers from communicating with high management with original ideas or constructive criticism. Whether the encounter occurs during a scheduled meeting or while traveling to and from work with other members of top management, it strengthens one's capacity to utilize power.

Form a Coalition

When a group of people realizes, they don't have enough authority to change the course of events, they can gain more clout by joining forces with other groups. Coalitions are frequently created to maximize benefits or results for the organization as a whole. As a result, the majority of coalitions are made up of the bare minimum of participants needed to reach a consensus. Unless the parties share a shared philosophy or ideology, coalitions are frequently unstable and short-lived.

Co-opt the Opposition

Co-opting is a tactic that is comparable to coalition building. However, co-optation typically refers to a long-term partnership rather than a fleeting coalition agreement. Co-opting happens, for instance, when a sub-Unit invites a neighborhood skeptic to join their organization and assist them in resolving their issues. To reduce their uncertainties and external criticism, school districts, hospitals, and other civic institutions consciously employ the co-opting approach of adding powerful individuals to their boards of directors.

Manipulate Symbols

Politics has its vocabulary that is used to rationalize and justify choices by applying the proper symbolic labels, whether it be in organizations or government. Without this justification, the use of force would be objectionable and would spark opposition.

When making decisions based on power, political actors need to utilize the correct language and symbols to build support. Power-based decisions can frequently be made to appear as though they were the outcome of deliberation based on reason.

Use Interpersonal Manipulation

People personally pursuing their interests by persuasion, manipulation, or integration is probably the most overt political tactic. When you ask for someone's cooperation and then give them information to back up your request, you are using persuasion to try to persuade them. There is no attempt made to hide the persuader's motivations, and the material is often seen as accurate.

Conclusion

Persuasion is not the same thing as manipulation. Both entail the dissemination of knowledge intended to help one achieve their desired outcome. But when someone manipulates another person, their true intentions are kept from them, and crucial information is either falsified or withheld to sway their judgment. Interpersonal manipulation known as gratification is carried out through flattery and the appearance of sincerity.

Written by Anagha S