Politics is the ruling power over a group, government or state. It involves the distribution of power and when things become ‘political’ it refers to the struggle of power between groups, usually with rivalling views and objectives. The term ‘playing politics’ is often used to describe individuals and groups trying to gain political power by sharing their narrative or influence. Politics only exists because people disagree. The basis for politics is rivalry and conflicted interests. Politics is a social activity, engaging with people whom share the same interests or agendas while collectively contesting the interests of others. Politics requires tenacity, opinion, debating ability and strong will.

A movement is the collective interest of a group that share views and objectives. Unlike politics, the movement is typically unilateral with the movement group sharing the same narrative and influence. A movement can also be political when it interferes or challenges government or state politics. In today’s current climate, most movements tend to become political with the group conflicting with government or popular society. Some movements start as a local group with a shared interest locally, that soon become adopted nationally and then internationally when it is a bigger cause. An example of a movement that grew exponential to become a worldwide movement is the Black Lives Matter Movement. This movement was against police brutality and systemic inequality that began in the United States that soon became an international social phenomenon, with countries across every continent involved in the movement.

Black Lives Matter (BLM) – A social justice movement for Black Liberation. It began in 2013 and has become a central force for protest against the police murders of Black Americans.

Civil Rights – The is probably one of the most famous movements in American history. This was a protest on a large scale across the nation for equal rights for African Americans. It led to the passing of the Civil Rights Act in 1964.

Black Power – This movement began in 1964 to promote the rights of African Americans after the Civil Rights Act was passed to end segregation.

Anti-globalisation – this movement started in 1999 to protest against the globalisation of corporations, which supporters claimed was widening the gap between the rich and poor worldwide.

Gay Rights – This movement began in the late 1960’s when riots began in New York City with the Stonewall riots when protesters broke out again the police for shutting gay bars. Supporters rally for acceptance and equality. A movement that has continued to grow exponential across the USA and internationally.

Anti-war – This movement began with the outcry of America’s involvement in the Vietnam war in 1969. But demonstrations and protesting has continued throughout the years with anti-war supporters petitioning for peace.

Women’s Suffrage – The movement in the USA dates back to the Revolutionary War with women fighting for voting rights in the 1800s. This movement was nationwide and was an important influence in the 19^th Amendment in 1920 which granted women the right to vote.

The Boston Tea Party – A movement that changed history forever for the USA, after it fought England for its independence after a conflict over tea ownership. With the American’s objecting to the monopoly of the British owning the East India Tea company in 1773, a few years later becoming independent from England.

Below is a list of famous political figures who were either loathed or loved by society. But irrespectively they have made a significant impact on history and historical events. 

• Abraham Lincoln
• Adolf Hitler
• Akbar the Great
• Al Sharpton – New York’s African American activist, Reverent and presidential candidate
• Alexander the Great
• Barrack Obama
• Benito Mussolini
• Carol Moseley-Braun – The first African-American woman elected to the USA Senate
• Charles de Gaulle
• Cleopatra
• Dalai Lama
• Ernesto “Che” Guevara
• Franklin Roosevelt
• George Washington
• Genghis Khan
• Haile Selassie
• Kim Il-Sung
• King Richard the Lionheart & Saladin
• Kofi Annan
• Lenin
• Louis XIV
• Jesse Jackson – Aide to Martin Luther King and USA presidential candidate
• Kamala Harris – The first woman of colour to be elected vice-president in the USA
• Mao Zedong
• Marcus Garvey – Founder of the ‘back to Africa’ movement
• Margaret Thatcher
• Martin Luther King Jr.
• Mohandas Gandhi
• Nelson Mandela – The first black president of South Africa
• Qin Shi Huang
• Queen Victoria
• Ronald Reagan
• Simón Bolívar
• Winston Churchill

1. http://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2096654_2096653_2096692,00.html

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