How have historians tended to define “politics” over the course of American history?

How have historians tended to define “politics” over the course of American history? When and why have these definitions changed and varied? What impact do these definitions have on how historians have approached and written about the nation’s past?
ANSWER
Historians have defined “politics” in a variety of ways over the course of American history. These definitions have changed and varied over time in response to the evolving nature of American society and the changing priorities of the historical profession.
**Early definitions of politics**
Early American historians tended to define politics narrowly as the study of government and political institutions. This focus was reflected in the works of historians such as George Bancroft and John Bach McMaster, who wrote multi-volume histories of the American government.
**Expanding definitions of politics**
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, historians began to expand their definition of politics to include social and economic issues. This shift was influenced by the rise of new social science disciplines such as sociology and economics. Historians such as Charles Beard and Vernon Louis Parrington argued that political history could not be understood without also considering social and economic forces.
**The new political history**
In the 1960s and 1970s, a new generation of historians emerged who challenged traditional approaches to political history. These historians, who were often influenced by the civil rights movement and the Vietnam War, argued that politics should be defined more broadly to include all aspects of human power and conflict. They also argued that historians should focus on the experiences of marginalized groups, such as women, African Americans, and working-class people.
**Contemporary definitions of politics**
Today, historians continue to define politics in a variety of ways. Some historians focus on the study of government and political institutions, while others focus on social and economic issues, culture, or identity. There is no single definition of politics that is universally accepted by historians.
**Impact of definitions on historical writing**
The different definitions of politics have had a significant impact on how historians have approached and written about the nation’s past. Historians who define politics narrowly tend to focus on the activities of elites, such as politicians and government officials. Historians who define politics more broadly tend to focus on the experiences of a wider range of people and on a wider range of issues.
For example, a historian who defines politics narrowly might write a book about the presidency of Abraham Lincoln, focusing on Lincoln’s political decisions and his interactions with other government officials. A historian who defines politics more broadly might write a book about the Civil War era, focusing on the experiences of ordinary people, such as soldiers, slaves, and women.
The different definitions of politics have also led to different schools of historical thought. For example, the traditional school of political history focuses on the study of government and political institutions. The new political history, which emerged in the 1960s and 1970s, focuses on the experiences of marginalized groups and on the role of social and economic forces in shaping political outcomes.
**Conclusion**
The definition of politics has evolved over time in response to the changing nature of American society and the changing priorities of the historical profession. The different definitions of politics have had a significant impact on how historians have approached and written about the nation’s past.