Politics??

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Politics??
OP - December 21, 2009, 10:37 PM

Whenever someone/some people is/are talking about political issues, I get lost. I never quite understood political issues, and I think I no longer can afford being silent during political discussions.
So, anyone can recommend a good book (English or Arabic) which will get me started. I would prefer it to be as balanced as possible, not 'they're wrong we're right' type of books.

I found this
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Politics-Very-Short-Introduction-Introductions/dp/0192853880/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1261433470&sr=8-7
It seems good, and I will probably order it when I get back to the UK, but for now I need more recommendations so I can have more references to read from. Also opinions on the above book if you have read it before, and if I should read other books prior to reading it.

I will really appreciate your help.

EDIT: Forgot to say I suck(ed) at History, so I just know very little of the world's history. I figured these two disciplines are not mutually exclusive, so yeah I kinda need a few books on the most important historical topics if you think it is very important in order to understand current politics.

"In every time and culture there are pressures to conform to the prevailing prejudices. But there are also, in every place and epoch, those who value the truth; who record the evidence faithfully. Future generations are in their debt." -Carl Sagan
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Re: Politics??
Reply #1 - December 21, 2009, 10:50 PM

I'd suggest not getting into politics if you're not already into them. You'll be a saner person for not having anything to do with politics
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Re: Politics??
Reply #2 - December 21, 2009, 11:03 PM

What fitty said.

Call me TAP TAP! for I am THE ASS PATTER!
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Re: Politics??
Reply #3 - December 21, 2009, 11:04 PM

What liberated said.

fuck you
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Re: Politics??
Reply #4 - December 21, 2009, 11:05 PM

Politics is people just trying to fuck each other in the bum, nothing complicated.

Quote from: thinkfree on September 28, 2010, 07:58 PM
Iblis has mad debaterin' skillz. Best not step up unless you're prepared to recieve da pain.
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Re: Politics??
Reply #5 - December 21, 2009, 11:06 PM

Although I would recommend that you know the basics of politics and how different govt works so you may have your opinion.

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Re: Politics??
Reply #6 - December 21, 2009, 11:09 PM

Quote from: Tommy on December 21, 2009, 11:03 PM
What fitty said.

i don't think fifty will be happy if he found out you called him fitty
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Re: Politics??
Reply #7 - December 21, 2009, 11:49 PM

Man fuck fitty. It's all about The Game.

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Re: Politics??
Reply #8 - December 22, 2009, 10:47 AM

So I was just looking for trouble then?
I guess I know why I wasn't into it in the first place

"In every time and culture there are pressures to conform to the prevailing prejudices. But there are also, in every place and epoch, those who value the truth; who record the evidence faithfully. Future generations are in their debt." -Carl Sagan
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Re: Politics??
Reply #9 - December 22, 2009, 10:53 AM

Quote from: Tommy on December 21, 2009, 11:49 PM
Man fuck fitty. It's all about The Game.

The Game done sold out yo. Sheeeeeit I remember when Pac and Big were in the game. Shit was poppin back then better believe it. Now all these fake-ass thugs dancin with thongs and shit. Sweet-ass rappers, come here give me kiss. Thats why the rap game needs me. Jihad Joe, the sickest rapper in the game b, for real.. I pop a cap in your ass and then blow up the buildin' you be livin in. Shit, anybody taking over my block? One push of a button and there aint no block left to take over. We celebrate album releases with ak-47's live shots in the air, fuck poppin champagne bottles.
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Re: Politics??
Reply #10 - December 22, 2009, 10:56 AM

Quote
Jihad Joe, the sickest rapper in the game b, for real.. I pop a cap in your ass and then blow up the buildin' you be livin in. Shit, anybody taking over my block? One push of a button and there aint no block left to take over. We celebrate album releases with ak-47's live shots in the air, fuck poppin champagne bottles.
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Re: Politics??
Reply #11 - December 22, 2009, 05:51 PM

Quote from: BlackDog on December 22, 2009, 10:53 AM
The Game done sold out yo. Sheeeeeit I remember when Pac and Big were in the game. Shit was poppin back then better believe it. Now all these fake-ass thugs dancin with thongs and shit. Sweet-ass rappers, come here give me kiss. Thats why the rap game needs me. Jihad Joe, the sickest rapper in the game b, for real.. I pop a cap in your ass and then blow up the buildin' you be livin in. Shit, anybody taking over my block? One push of a button and there aint no block left to take over. We celebrate album releases with ak-47's live shots in the air, fuck poppin champagne bottles.

JOTM plz

Quote from: thinkfree on September 28, 2010, 07:58 PM
Iblis has mad debaterin' skillz. Best not step up unless you're prepared to recieve da pain.
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Re: Politics??
Reply #12 - December 22, 2009, 06:18 PM

Quote
Shit, anybody taking over my block? One push of a button and there aint no block left to take over.

This was my fav line
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Re: Politics??
Reply #13 - December 23, 2009, 08:19 AM

I quite disagree with what the guys said about politics. I believe personal political views are just an extension of your morality. I don't for a second buy the notion that some people "don't care" about politics; they just don't realize it. Everybody is affected by politics. Therefore I would argue that it's essential to learn about the major political parties in one's country and their policies as a minimum.
Having said that, I do think consuming one's time with everyday politics is unnecessary.

Instead of buying a book, you can check UC Berkley's Youtube channel. Last time I checked they were uploading free videos of their lectures. See if they have uploaded any Political Science lectures. That would be a good start
Also a word of advice, don't be deceived by simplistic left-wing/right-wing labels It's much more complex
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Re: Politics??
Reply #14 - December 23, 2009, 08:41 AM

Yeah adhering to one political party or one line of thought seems to do the same thing as adhering to one religion. Followed blindly, calling yourself a member of the party simply because you ?belong? there you will fall into the traps of group-think. The reason I never get into politics is because just like religion its a complicated area with nuances in every detail, question that relate to taxes, immigration, freedom of speech versus respecting the views of others, police force, how much money should be spent on research and science, and how involved the country should be in international conflicts are not issues to be discarded, or breezily reflected upon. They require time and effort. And who has that in today?s world?

There seems to be a consensus of thought between ones religious (or irreligious) views and the political ones. For example, I find it hard to reconcile a feministic perspective with an Islamic one or even a Christian one.

But yeah, I guess after one has studied religion the next step would be politics. After all, in religious countries that a have theocratic rule one needs to understand the religion to understand the society. In our case, its more complicated, not only does one need to understand politics, but most likely science; evolution and anthropology. To a certain extent, Christianity, but more and more the moral values are becoming secularized. We need to understand how and why we make our crazy decisions.
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