Charles de Gaulle, the French general and statesman who led the Free French Forces during World War II, famously observed that “Politics is too serious a matter to be left to the politicians.” The remark carries an uncomfortable truth that remains relevant today: politics is not something that happens only in election campaigns or political rallies. It is woven into almost every aspect of our lives.
What we eat is political. The price and quality of food are shaped by agricultural policies, subsidies, markets, imports, food safety regulations and the support given to farmers. What we wear also have political consequences, influenced by labour laws, trade policies, taxation and the conditions under which products are manufactured.
What we watch and read is equally political. Regulations, censorship, media ownership, algorithms and the protection or restriction of freedom of expression all influence what information reaches us and what remains invisible.
Education is perhaps one of the clearest examples. School funding, curriculum, reservations, scholarships, research grants and access to quality institutions are all determined by political decisions. The opportunities available to a child can therefore depend heavily on decisions made by governments.
Even the most basic necessities are political. The quality of the air we breathe depends on environmental regulations and pollution controls. The water we drink depends on public infrastructure, waste management and environmental governance. The roads we travel on, the reliability of electricity, public transport, healthcare and even the safety of our neighbourhoods are shaped by policies and public spending.
This is why saying “I am not into politics” is, in many ways, an illusion. One may choose not to follow political speeches or political personalities, but one cannot escape the consequences of political decisions.
Politics ultimately determines who gets what, when, where and how. It decides priorities, distributes resources and establishes the rules under which society functions.
The real danger, therefore, is not that politics enters our daily lives. It is that citizens withdraw from politics while decisions affecting their daily lives continue to be made without them. Democracy requires more than voting every few years. It requires citizens who pay attention, ask questions and hold power accountable.
Politics is too serious to be left to politicians. It is too important to be ignored by citizens.