Is it necessary for a writer to write about the social/political issues of the time?

This question is dependent on certain definitions of the specific terms. What is politics? If you are more literal, thinking in terms of political parties, movements and messages, then this question is easier to answer. I am trying to avoid the notion that politics is everywhere. With this being said, my answer is no, the social and political issues of the day are not vital inclusions in writing. However, even though it is not necessary to include such issues from society into a writer’s work, the better pieces of work will most likely have a message that enables the reader to think and question, or reaffirm, their own status quo.  This message can be anything from ‘don't run with scissors’ to flaws in communism (Animal Farm by George Orwell) and even events of war (Poems on the American Civil War by Emily Dickinson, e.g 409); so as long as the piece engages and intrigues the reader the subject matter can be and should be whatever the writer sees fit.

I fully admit that even though it is not necessary to include political and social issues of the day into your work, I think it's unachievable not to, in some way. We are all influenced by the world we live in and unfortunately the world we live in is always influenced by the politics of the time. I tried to answer this question by merely saying no, as long as I limited the meaning of politics, but ultimately I can't do that. It isn't necessary to purposely involve the issues (social/political) because it is impossible not to, it will always be there in part, some more clearly than others.