Political commentary is a form of social commentary that attempts to implement or promote change by addressing an issue and appealing to the public’s sense of justice. It is practiced in all forms of communication, including visual art like graffiti that addresses social issues, photography documenting humanitarian crises, literature, public speaking, music and film. In the digital age, it can also include social media posts and blogs.
Many news outlets blend analysis and opinion in their coverage of politics and government. While pure analysis avoids judgmental terns, the use of emotionally charged words in a headline or the presence of a personal viewpoint on an editorial page can lean into commentary. In addition to newspaper op-eds, talk shows and expert panels can also feature political commentary. Political satire and cartoons are another form of commentary.
The political commentary genre may be difficult to define. Its goal is to help readers understand how a political event occurred and why it occurred in a certain way. But it can also be subjective, and two people may analyze the same event from completely different perspectives.
For example, the story of the Corcyrean stasis in Thucydides’ History of the Peloponnesian War illustrates the potential for escalating polarization and the collapse of civic norms and values that are essential to a healthy democracy. Critics have pointed to the passage as a warning about polarization and culture war. Others have argued that the passage simply illustrates how quickly fear and division can undermine reason and justice.