Introduction to Sociology/Politics/Mingyeong KIm

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1. Summary

 

Politics is a group making a social decision. This narrowly defines what governments make decisions, but in a broad sense also includes general groups. States that have politics have power, authority, and violence and use them for the nation.

There are several types of government: First, there is a monarchy. This is the ultimate power to be absolute and rule the country. Secondly, there is democracy in which the power comes from the people, that is, sovereignty belongs to the people. The third is totalitarianism, a system that regulates all aspects of public and private life. The fourth is oligarchy controlled by politically powerful groups. The fifth is Communist State based on the domination of the Communist Party and the ideology that they have created, which make loyalty the principle of the state. Finally, there is theocracy, a form of government in which god is the supreme ruler of the nation and government officials are regarded as sacred leaders.

When we deal with the concept of politics, we cannot talk about political parties. Political parties are political organizations that acquire and maintain political power. In the text, the political form of the two countries was introduced. The first is the United States. Candidates in US elections are nominated by political parties. Party candidates are officially elected by convention. The second is Sweden, which has a multi-party system in which parties work together to form a coalition government. It has the authority to control the government separately or as a coalition.

To draw politicians, people use the voting method. But voting often comes with inequality. Women have less political power than men, and older men are more likely to be politicians. And whites are more likely to become politicians if they have more education.

 

2. New learning

 As I read the text, I realized that there were much more varieties in the form of politics than I knew, and that part was interesting. The types of politics I know are communism and democracy. The oligarchy ruled by a small group of people, and theocracy, which regarded God as the supreme ruler of the nation, was a new acquaintance. I learned that there are various forms of politics beyond the state and history.

3. Discussion

I am living in a democracy now and have accepted this system as natural, so I did not think much about other systems. However, after reading this text, I was wondering what would happen if we apply the other system to Korea. I would like to hear your comments on this.