In political terminology, the concept of state politics is used to refer to the fundamental principles that should serve as a guide for the government of a nation. In this sense, state policies should not be associated with a specific government or a specific ideology.
On the contrary, this name refers to all those matters that are considered key to defend the general interests of a nation.
The strategic lines of action of a country
Regardless of the political trend in a given context, all state policy should be guided by a long-term project on topics such as education, basic infrastructure, health, employment, public spending or citizen security. All these aspects have a strategic value, since they do not or should not depend on the ups and downs of political activity.
Any of these issues are considered to be part of state policy for an obvious reason: they affect the general interest of the population.
This concept is sometimes used as a euphemism to legitimize any political decision.
Although the correct use of the term must be framed in everything that affects the whole of a nation and that has an evident strategic value, this denomination is frequently abused or directly used as a euphemism that distorts the political message.
Some political leaders label their decisions affirming that they are authentic state policies, when in reality their proposals are simply electoralist, populist or demagogic.
True state policies must be oriented towards the future
In democratic systems, governments have a limited duration. For this reason, many governments avoid addressing those important issues that are uncomfortable and that can cause them an electoral cost. In this sense, state policies should not ignore measures related to the aging of the population, the public deficit, research or care for people with disabilities.
The politician who does promote state policies is considered a statesman. In his line of action he tries to build a national project regardless of the electoral processes or his personal interests. To exemplify this idea, we can recall some historical figures who did promote state policies, such as Winston Churchill, Simón Bolívar, Benito Juárez or Abraham Lincoln.
Photos: Fotolia - Primsky / Danu
