South 고등학교 2학년 Politics
Chapters: 4
1. Civic life and politics
What politics is · Ideals of democracy · History of democracy · Principles of democracy
- Political Theory: An Introduction – Politics is how people decide together: who gets what, who makes the rules and how. It happens in homes, schools and the whole country, not only in parties. Political theory studies the big ideas behind this: freedom, equality, justice, rights, democracy and secularism. It asks what each idea means and why it matters. These ideas are not just talk: they went into our Constitution and laws and shape daily life. We study political theory to test our own views, understand others, argue with reasons and become thoughtful citizens.
- Democracy: Principles, Elections and Checks on Power – Democracy means the people hold the final power. It rests on a few principles: political equality, majority rule with minority rights, the rule of law, free and fair elections, and limits on power. People can decide directly (referendums) or through elected representatives. The voting rule (FPTP or proportional representation) changes who wins seats. A constitution splits power between the legislature, executive and judiciary so each can check the others. Citizens keep working between elections through media, pressure groups, courts, petitions and protest, and good policy is judged by clear evidence.
2. Political process and participation
Political process and citizens · Political parties · Elections and electoral systems · Participation via media
- Civic Engagement: How Citizens Take Part – Civic engagement means taking part in the life of your community and country. It is like a ladder: stay informed, vote, join groups, volunteer, then organise and campaign. Citizens vote in elections to choose representatives and in referendums to answer one question directly. They join political parties (which aim to govern), trade unions (which defend workers) and associations or NGOs (which work for a shared cause). Between elections they sign petitions, volunteer, mediate local conflicts and campaign online, checking facts first. Whistleblowers reveal hidden wrongdoing, and a free press and public opinion turn it into action. Organising a community event shows all these skills: planning, teamwork and responsibility.
- Political Parties – A political party is a group of people who come together to contest elections and hold power. Parties do seven key jobs, from contesting elections to linking people with government schemes. India has a multi-party system with national and state parties. Parties face challenges like lack of internal democracy and money power, and some reforms have been made.
- Elections in India – Elections let crores of people choose representatives and peacefully change governments. India uses first-past-the-post for Lok Sabha and state assemblies, and a form of proportional representation for Rajya Sabha and the President. Delimitation makes constituencies roughly equal in population. The independent Election Commission prepares voter lists and conducts polls. India has a multi-party system, coalition governments are common, and the anti-defection law stops elected members from switching parties.
- Media Literacy – Media literacy is the skill of reading, questioning and creating media: news, ads, videos, posts, films and games. Every media text is made by someone, for a purpose, for an audience, using forms, conventions and techniques that shape how we feel. A media-literate person checks the source, evidence, other coverage and the original before believing or sharing, notices bias and filter bubbles, and makes their own media responsibly.
3. Forms of democratic government
Political power · Presidential and parliamentary systems · Three branches of government · Local self-government
- Political Theory: An Introduction – Politics is how people decide together: who gets what, who makes the rules and how. It happens in homes, schools and the whole country, not only in parties. Political theory studies the big ideas behind this: freedom, equality, justice, rights, democracy and secularism. It asks what each idea means and why it matters. These ideas are not just talk: they went into our Constitution and laws and shape daily life. We study political theory to test our own views, understand others, argue with reasons and become thoughtful citizens.
- Systems of Government: Branches, Checks and Balances – Every modern state divides power among three branches: the legislature makes laws, the executive carries them out and the judiciary interprets them. Checks and balances let each branch limit the others. Democracies arrange the legislature and executive in different ways. In a parliamentary system the government comes from parliament and must keep its confidence (UK, India, Germany). In a presidential system people elect the president and the legislature separately for fixed terms (USA, Brazil). A semi-presidential system shares power between an elected president and a prime minister who answers to parliament (France). Other forms include monarchies and Switzerland's committee system.
- Local Governments – Local governments bring democracy to the village and town level, where people know their own problems best. Local bodies existed in India since 1882 but stayed weak for decades. The 73rd (rural) and 74th (urban) Amendments of 1992 gave panchayats and municipalities constitutional status, regular elections, reservation for women, SC and ST, and a list of subjects and funds.
4. International society and politics
Features of international society · International problems · Korea's international relations · Resolving international conflicts
- International Relations: How States Deal with Each Other – International relations (IR) studies how states and other actors (international organisations, companies, NGOs) interact. States are sovereign and there is no world government, so each state follows its national interest through foreign policy: diplomacy, trade, aid, alliances and, at worst, force. Conflicts arise from clashing interests over territory, resources, power and identity, and from the security dilemma. Cooperation grows through mutual gain, treaties, international law and organisations. Realism stresses power and security; liberalism stresses cooperation, trade and institutions. Peace is built by negotiation, mediation, peacekeeping and justice.