Question

Lasswell says politics is who gets what when and how.

Watch movie Bridge Over the River Kwai. The movie is about the Second World War. But it's a great demonstration of politics. The 2 principals are a British and a Japanese commander. Describe how the rerlation is an example of Lasswell's definition of politics.

Answer 1

When Lasswell says "politics is who gets what, when, and how", is saying about human behavior in the pursuit of attaining political power and dominance over each other. This pursuit of political power and dominance occurs through negotiation (peaceful way) and war (violent way), thus, political power and dominance for territories, natural resources, and people's freedom occurs in these two forms. Hence, politics is all individuals behavior (who) about attainment of power over territories, natural resources or people's freedom (what), the place and time (when) and the manner of attainmen (how).

In the movie "Bridge Over the River Kwai", the two commanders represent their opposing countries at war over territories, natural resources and political ambitions. Still they work in an unifying manner to complete the work of the bridge over the River Kwai. The Japanese commander is driven by the political ambition of his country, as the completion of the bridge is of strategic importance for his country's expansion plans. The British commander is a prisoner of war and is engaged by the Japanese army. He is driven by the ambition that completion of the bridge would be an example to display the courage and dedication of his country to the world. Initially, the relation between the two commanders was dominated by violence, the Japanese commander tries to subdue the British commander through violence and oppression, but when he found resistance from the British side, he took up a more lenient way to deal with the British commander and his men, this manner of negotiation works for his attainment of the task. Thus, Lasswell's saying "politics is who gets what, when, and how", fits into relation between the two commanders.