In Defence of Politics

Crick affirms that the negotiating processes of politics remain the only tested alternative to government by coersion. This revised and updated edition includes commentary on the 1989 revolutions in eastern Europe, Northern Ireland, South Africa and Israel/Palestine.

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At a time of brittle cynicism about the activities of politicians, this essay attempts to justify politics in plain words by saying what it is. In a civilized community the establishment of political order among rival groups and interests marks the birth of freedom. In spite of the compromises and half measures which prompt the impatient idealist to regard politics as a dirty word, indeed because of them, the negotiating processes of politics remain the only tested alternative to government by coercion.