High Politics and Low Politics in Water Business

Global relations theory has long grappled using the conflict between the unilateral sovereignty requirements of states, and also the requirement for cooperation for transboundary transactions.

Because the flow of water does not respect political boundaries, it has been clear that regional management, at the watershed egree at least, will be a significantly more effective approach, at least from a management perspective.

Nevertheless, drinking water has frequently been "securitized," primarily because of internal politics, but has frequently had international repercussions. The question has historically been posed repeatedly, regardless of whether issues of regional drinking water means, regarded a "low" political issue, can be addressed in advance of larger, "high," political issues of nationalism and diplomacy. Both sides happen to be argued in the past.

The "functionalist theory" of international politics, an alternative to the fairly self-explanatory "power politics," claims that states will willingly transfer sovereignty more than matters of public concern to a common authority. Cooperation more than means, then, might induce cooperation over other, a lot more contentious and emotional problems.

Social-Political Sustainability - The Human Element

It is commonly accepted that the project of sustainable development is conceptually composed of three constituent parts. These parts are (1) environmental sustainability, (2) economic sustainability, and (3) social-political sustainability. The United Nations 2005 World Summit refers to the "interdependent and mutually reinforcing pillars" of sustainable development as environmental protection, economic development and social development. The interdependency of the first two is evident; it is perhaps the greatest challenge of our time to satisfy the needs and wants of burgeoning populations within the binding constraints imposed by our physical environment. But what is this great hoopla about social development and sustainability of politics, and what exactly is its place?

If environmental protection is concerned with the preservation of our natural environment and resources, and economic sustainability is concerned with seeking durable growth solutions therein, then the social-political sphere can be thought of as representative of the more purely human element in the equation. Social development and social-political sustainability are intimately related concepts but they are not in fact entirely interchangeable. It is important that we understand their symbiotic relationship and its implications for the broader sustainability project.

How to Play Office Politics - 7 Key Strategies

Ask anyone in corporate America about the pitfalls of their job and they're likely to mention office politics as one of them. It doesn't matter where you work; there will always be an underlying vying for power and influence. Because there is no way to escape it, you might as well learn how to play the game. Below are seven key strategies to understanding and successfully maneuvering office politics.

1. Develop the proper mind set

Office politics are based on differences in people's relational and communication styles. When we accept that everyone in the workplace is different, and therefore has different expectations, views, and even aspirations, we can begin to not take the politics personally. After all, office politics is just an extension of what surrounds us in everyday life - differences.

2. Be a good worker

If you're striving to do what is right for the business, it is difficult not to come out ahead. After all, who's going to argue with you if you have a sound plan and are undertaking an effort that will make the company more successful or profitable? This approach is also likely to receive praise from peers and accolades from those above.

Top 30 Politics Quotations

   1. "It is the duty of every citizen according to his best capacities to give validity to his convictions in political affairs." -- Albert Einstein
   2. "Politics, n. Strife of interests masquerading as a contest of principles." -- Ambrose Bierce
   3. "Man is by nature a political animal." -- Aristotle
   4. "I have come to the conclusion that politics are too serious a matter to be left to the politicians." -- Charles De Gaulle
   5. "The mistake a lot of politicians make is in forgetting they've been appointed and thinking they've been anointed." -- Claude D. Pepper
   6. "Politics is made up largely of irrelevancies." -- Dalton Camp
   7. "Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it whether it exists or not, diagnosing it incorrectly, and applying the wrong remedy." -- Ernest Benn
   8. "Being in politics is like being a football coach. You have to be smart enough to understand the game, and dumb enough to think it's important." -- Eugene McCarthy
   9. "We would all like to vote for the best man but he is never a candidate." -- Frank McKinney Hubbard
  10. "When the political columnists say 'Every thinking man' they mean themselves, and when candidates appeal to 'Every intelligent voter' they mean everybody who is going to vote for them." -- Franklin P. Adams

Crossing the Political Divide in the Digital Age

It is truly amazing the number of websites out there that are political in nature. The number of Blogs discussing political issues and news is astounding indeed. Yet is all this helping or hurting our nation? Some believe it helps because it provides a voice and refuses to allow any issue to go un-addressed or to be swept under the carpet. This is a good thing in a free society and something that other emerging nations do not have.

Yet, we also find ourselves with a dividing politic with a widening of the gap; a political divide if you will; borrowing the term from the "digital divide" which is quickly being erased. We must not divide ourselves but we do need to bring some common sense to the debate table. Common sense is not that common and if we could use these online political forums then we take some of the created reality gone askew and bring it all back to Earth. A way to discuss and debate the reality of the human endeavor, proof of history and government theory then of course that would be the best for all as we move into the next period.

Your Career in Politics - Tips for Getting Your First Political Job

Getting your first job in politics might seem like an extremely daunting task, but if you break it down into its basic elements, you might be surprised that its easier than you thought.

Starting out, you can try for a full-time or part-time position, paid or unpaid, as an entry-level staffer or as an intern. Much conventional wisdom on these issues is misleading. Unpaid positions are often a great way to get in the door, and can be surprisingly competitive. Also, many good places will create a position for you if they see a need for your talents. You have to find and identify the decision-maker and convince them to support you and bringing you onto the team instead of just relying on whoever is accepting your resume as the designated catcher for intern resumes.

The money is always an important first consideration. There are paid and unpaid positions, and a variety of titles and roles that masquerade as unpaid work such as "fellows" and different flavors of internships. Don't let a college degree, work experience, or other personal pride stand in the way of taking any of these positions.