1. What is politics?
1.1 The importance of politics
Politics = a way a country is governed
Politicians are in general interest, because they affect everyone directly. Some issues seem
to be important for only one specific group. And yet that is not the case: when you finish
primary school, you still pay taxes, a part of this money goes to schools.
Biggest dilemma in politics: should you opt for quick, effective and efficient administration
(efficient results) OR should you give priority to maximum participation (greatest amount of
citizens are affected) of all citizens?
So would you choose for: efficient results OR a process of democratic decision-making,
carefully balancing the interests of groups
1.2 Dictatorship (North Korea, Iran, etc.)
In countries with a dictatorship there is violation of human rights -> the citizens are not
participated in making decision
One small group/party or one person holds all the powers: legislative, executive and
judicial power
The ordinary citizens have no influence on how the country is governed
A dictatorship has no rule of law
Common characteristics:
Individual freedom is limited: there are only a few rights you have. E.g. freedom
of religion or right to privacy
No political freedom: political opponents are imprisoned or murdered. Sometimes
elections are held but only for the sake of appearances. The government party wins
anyway via election fraud (Africa).
Institutionalized violence: army, police and intelligence services are used to
control the people -> with violence or threat
No independent judiciary: judges are sympatric to the people in power, citizens
can never depend on protection against the government
Mass media & art world: censored by the government. Information via the
government is filtered and crucial bloggers are arrested. -> The development of
social media is making is more difficult for regimes to maintain complete control over
the spreading information
1.1 The importance of politics
Politics = a way a country is governed
Politicians are in general interest, because they affect everyone directly. Some issues seem
to be important for only one specific group. And yet that is not the case: when you finish
primary school, you still pay taxes, a part of this money goes to schools.
Biggest dilemma in politics: should you opt for quick, effective and efficient administration
(efficient results) OR should you give priority to maximum participation (greatest amount of
citizens are affected) of all citizens?
So would you choose for: efficient results OR a process of democratic decision-making,
carefully balancing the interests of groups
1.2 Dictatorship (North Korea, Iran, etc.)
In countries with a dictatorship there is violation of human rights -> the citizens are not
participated in making decision
One small group/party or one person holds all the powers: legislative, executive and
judicial power
The ordinary citizens have no influence on how the country is governed
A dictatorship has no rule of law
Common characteristics:
Individual freedom is limited: there are only a few rights you have. E.g. freedom
of religion or right to privacy
No political freedom: political opponents are imprisoned or murdered. Sometimes
elections are held but only for the sake of appearances. The government party wins
anyway via election fraud (Africa).
Institutionalized violence: army, police and intelligence services are used to
control the people -> with violence or threat
No independent judiciary: judges are sympatric to the people in power, citizens
can never depend on protection against the government
Mass media & art world: censored by the government. Information via the
government is filtered and crucial bloggers are arrested. -> The development of
social media is making is more difficult for regimes to maintain complete control over
the spreading information
