Political Capital

Dear Victorious,

What is meant by the term "political capital?" It seems to have some sort of a sinister connotation, especially when used in the context of a Christian organization. Would you agree?

David P. - Duncanville, TX

Dear David,

Political capital could have different meanings to different people. My understanding of it is simply the credibility or goodwill that one has built up with people who comprise the organization. In a workplace, for example, political capital would be the credibility that one has built up with his or her peers. It's a level of trust, or a level of influence. Often it is a leadership trait that makes people trust and follow an individual.

In a Christian organization, such as a church, political capital does sound a bit distasteful. However, I should think it really would emanate from the same relationship dynamics. People who have it in their church would be the people whom others look up to, trust, and follow. It would be wielded by people of influence - such as elders or other leaders - especially lay leaders.

There is always a dimension of politics that seems sinister. But if you study political science, you will find it is often simply the complex array of human dynamics at work in large collections of relationships ... such as a workplace, community or government.