Running head: POLITICS 1

Living for and Living off Politics

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POLITICS 2

Max Weber categorically described the distinction between living for and living off

politics. Living for politics means making politics the focal point of life by either enjoying

the possessions of power that one exercises or by engaging the inner balance and self-feeling

by the consciousness that defines some meaning in the cause of politics. Living off politics,

on the other hand, means making politics a source of income (Weber et al., 2004).

Max Weber correctly named individuals living off politics as professional politicians.

They are engaging in politics as a method of exploration. They first began in the service of a

prince. They do not hold characters of charismatic leaders but have entered the service to

explore in order to earn a living and also get a high level or rather extravagant life (Weber et

al., 2004). They also like to possess a lot of power and were previously used as the most

significant power instrument. Those living off politics strive to make it a permanent source of

income with the wish to possess private property.

Individuals living for politics are those who are economically independent of the

income that is brought by politics. That means than the politician should possess wealth and

his own private properties and have a personal position that brings to him enough income

(Geer, 1998). Politicians living for politics are entirely different from the others living off it

because they do not perceive it as a permanent source of income.

Putting Nigeria’s politicians into consideration, most of them are living off politics.

They are engaging in corrupt deeds to increase their personal possession and wealth.

Statistics proof that 72 percent of the Nigerian politics are corrupt ("As elections near,

Nigerians view their country's economy and political system negatively," 2019). Further,

research shows that even when the elected leaders are changed, the developments do not

improve much. Further research shows that the inauguration of the 8th Assembly that was

conducted in 2015 focuses on passing bills that served their interests. An instance is when the
POLITICS 3

Assembly focuses on their self-interests instead of passing bills such as the Railway

Amendment Bill that was seeking the repealing of the colonial Railway Act of 1955 as a way

of welcoming private investors. Lastly, Nigeria is experiencing a plutocratic leadership such

that the wealthy are in power, and they do not only seek to live off politics but also exploit

their political domination in their own interests. In 2006, the head of financial crimes and

commission stated that over $400bn. This depicts that most politicians with both economic

and political dominance are not only living off politic but are pursuing private economic

advantages ("Nigeria to name leaders who 'stole' £212bn oil money," 2011).
POLITICS 4

References

As elections near, Nigerians view their country's economy and political system negatively.

(2019, February 12). Retrieved from https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-

tank/2019/02/12/as-elections-near-nigerians-view-their-countrys-economy-and-

political-system-negatively/

Geer, J. G. (1998). Politicians and party politics. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University

Press.

Nigeria to name leaders who 'stole' £212bn oil money. (2011, September 22). Retrieved from

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/nigeria-to-name-leaders-who-

stole-163212bn-oil-money-411756.html

Nigerian State and the Crisis of Governance: A Critical Exposition - Dhikru Adewale

Yagboyaju, Adeoye O. Akinola, 2019. (2019, July 24). Retrieved from

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/2158244019865810

Weber, M., Owen, D. S., Strong, T. B., Livingstone, R., Weber, M., & Weber, M.

(2004). The vocation lectures. Indianapolis: Hackett Pub.