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Politics is who gets what, when, how.
Harold Lasswell
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Interpretation

What this quote means

This quote defines politics as the distribution of resources and power in society.

Harold Lasswell's quote encapsulates the essence of political dynamics by emphasizing the mechanisms of distribution within a society. It highlights that politics is fundamentally about the allocation of resources and power among individuals and groups, determining not only who benefits but also the timing and methods through which these benefits are realized. This perspective reveals the strategic nature of political interactions and the significance of understanding these processes to engage effectively in political discourse.

Themes

PoliticsPowerResourcesDistributionSociety

In practice

Example use cases

In a political debate, one might say, 'As Harold Lasswell pointed out, politics is about who gets what, when, and how.'

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A little wisdom, now and then

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