Final answer:
Political values fundamentally shape political goals, which are prospective objectives, and these, in turn, influence political principles and policies. Political parties, interest groups, the media, and individuals all contribute to expressing and actualizing these values through public policy. The connection elucidates how values guide the political actions and policy development in a society.
Step-by-step explanation:
Political values are core beliefs that inform an individual's or group's opinions about how society and government should be structured and operate. These values provide a foundation for political goals, which are the tangible objectives that political actors aim to achieve. Political goals are often expressed through political principles and policies, which serve as the practical implementation of those values in governance. For example, if a political value prioritizes social equality, political goals may include policies that promote equal opportunity, with principles emphasizing fairness and justice.
Political parties, interest groups, and the media all play significant roles in articulating political values and shaping public policy. They provide platforms that aggregate individual political values into broader, more cohesive goals. These entities contribute to the public discourse, often swaying the policies that elected officials pursue. Moreover, individuals, through their voting choices and civic participation, can influence the political landscape and help set agendas that reflect their values.
Understanding the intersection between an individual's or group's political values and the pursuit of political action is essential to grasping the nature of politics. Aligning values with policies ensures that the goals being pursued are reflective of the principles deemed important by the citizenry, hence the political process is a continuous negotiation between different values and goals.