How historians have tended to define “politics”

For example, in the early years of the republic, historians tended to focus on the political activities of the Founding Fathers and other elite figures. They saw politics as a process of deliberation and debate among these elites, and they believed that the best way to understand American history was to study the political decisions that were made by these individuals.

Over time, historians began to expand their definition of politics to include a wider range of actors and activities. They began to study the role of ordinary citizens in politics, as well as the role of social movements and other non-governmental organizations. They also began to pay more attention to the role of culture and ideology in politics.

One of the most significant changes in the way that historians define politics occurred in the 1960s and 1970s. During this time, a new generation of historians emerged who were influenced by the civil rights movement and other social movements. These historians argued that traditional definitions of politics were too narrow and that they excluded many important aspects of American history. They began to study a wider range of topics, including social history, cultural history, and the history of everyday life.

These changes in the way that historians define politics have had a significant impact on how they have approached and written about the nation's past. Historians are now more likely to focus on the experiences of ordinary people and to explore a wider range of topics. This has led to a more inclusive and nuanced understanding of American history.

Here are some examples of how historians have used different definitions of politics to write about American history:

• A historian who uses a traditional definition of politics might write a book about the political debates that led to the adoption of the Constitution.
• A historian who uses a more expansive definition of politics might write a book about the role of women in the abolitionist movement.
• A historian who is interested in the history of everyday life might write a book about the ways that ordinary people experienced the Civil War.

Each of these approaches to history is valid and can provide valuable insights into the American past. The best approach for a particular historian will depend on their research interests and their goals.

Overall, historians have tended to define politics in a variety of ways over the course of American history. These definitions have changed and varied due to a number of factors, including the changing nature of power in American society, the evolution of the role of government, the emergence of new social and political movements, and changes in historical methodology. These definitions have had a significant impact on how historians have approached and written about the nation's past.

Historians have defined politics over the course of American history in a variety of ways, but most of these definitions have focused on the following:

• The exercise of power
• The distribution of power
• The relationship between individuals and the government
• The process of making collective decisions

These definitions have changed and varied over time due to a number of factors, including:

• The changing nature of power in American society
• The evolution of the role of government
• The emergence of new social and political movements
• Changes in historical methodology