Mirosław Karwat

The essence of politics is not the struggle for power, the game of influence between parties, the art of governing (as in the “crato-centric” approach), but the conflicting interests, views and aspirations of large collectivities, social communities, the articulation and representation of interests, the pressure on political forces from the collectivities pushing their demands and expectations (this is the “sociocentric” approach). The rulers remain under constant and overwhelming pressure of various, especially widespread beliefs and demands in society, and their attempts to impose their will on the ruled, to enforce the decisions made, always cause – on one scale or another, in a certain intensity – resistance, on the part of the ruled, as well as in their own inner circle. Resistance in both organized groups and communities and resistance in spontaneously synchronized behavior, mass reactions. It has the hallmarks of social resistance if it is  characterized by widespread outreach and significance for maintaining the social balance, confirming or changing the balance of power. All influence – as social or strictly political impact – is about exerting pressure, which in turn means overcoming resistance. This conclusion follows from the praxeological theory of human action. The article discusses the concepts of pressure and resistance, social pressure and resistance, and typical forms of this pressure and resistance.

The proverb “the end justifies the means” has multiple functions, it can be an observation, an appraisal, a postulate, a directive, a moral code. “Justify” can mean explain, excuse, exculpate, vindicate, authorize, uphold, and in Polish it literally corresponds in meaning to the word “sanctify.” This saying can both have a motivational character (when used to dispel the doubts or inhibitions of the speaker), but it can also be used as a rationalisation (to confront the opposition, objections, criticism of those around the speaker). It is mentioned together with the amoral and cynical, as well as with those socially useful versions of Machiavellianism.