For this reflective journal, I will be commenting on youth apathy towards politics, with examples from China, the United States, and Singapore. Firstly, let's start with the "Me Generation". Does it truly exist?
In modern society, most people are more concerned of their personal interests than of the general good. However, in China, there is little interest in demanding voting rights, let alone overthrow the country's communist leaders. The "Me Generation" does exist, but not just in China, but also in the States and Singapore.
I believe that it is only when their personal interest are compromised will they start taking part in politics. In China, youths, when wrongfully accused by corrupt officials or when they are unable to cope with the sudden change in policies, go online and gather support to retaliate or protest against the government, earning them the nickname of 愤青, or "angry youths". Similarly, be it in America or Singapore, students and other citizens will vote for politicians who best represents their interest, such as the college students who voted for Obama, when Obama promised cheaper loans for college students and revitalization of community colleges.
During lesson, it has been mentioned that youths in China do not participate actively in politics due to various reasons, such as fear of being treated as a political prisoner, or unsure what overthrowing the government will bring to the country. In my opinion, it is not necessary to be actively involved in the country's politics. Plato once said that if the masses take the role of the rulers, the society will be thrown into chaos. Thus, as long as the rulers rule well and the citizens prosper, there should be no issues.
Furthermore, when the citizens become too politically active, decisions cannot be made swiftly and decisively, as the people may constantly change the government on a short notice. Too many cooks spoil the broth, if protests keep erupting over every minor policy the government makes, and the government spends time to listen to every whine and complain, the nation will be unable to prosper.
It was also mentioned that students in America are politically illiterate. I strongly disagree. For if students are self-centered and interested in personal interests, they must also know of the policies which affect their interests. As I have brought up in class, environmentalists concerned over the recent oil spill have to have an understanding of the policies the president has proposed. Likewise, businessman and entrepreneurs have to learn the policies and taxes levied on them that will restrict their interests.
In conclusion, I feel although there is little apathy from youth towards politics, they are still familiar with it and that it is okay for them not to be too actively involved as long as the country progresses.
2)Hi Benjamin, allow me to comment on your reflective journal. You have certainly raised some perceptive points throughout your journal. Firstly, you have highlighted that political apathy may not necessarily be a bad thing as a nation full of rulers would throw any country into political and social turmoil. Indeed, in any country, there has to be a delicate equilibrium in the proportion of rulers and followers.
ReplyDeleteWhile there is a certain degree of truth in your point, however if majority of youths are apathetic towards politics as suggested in the tutorials where individual wants of youths preludes politics, wouldn’t that be detrimental to the progress of the country?
The Communist party, no matter how powerful and dominant they may be, will have to hand over the reins of the country to their successors one day, which in this case, are youths in the Me generation today. Should political apathy continue to thrive among the youths today, the impacts this trend has on the long term future of China will certainly be devastating, wouldn’t it?
Lastly, you have also failed to draw specific conclusions towards the extent of political apathy among youths in Singapore today as you have only briefly brushed upon it in the course of your entire essay. Just wondering, while political apathy does exist in Singapore, how severe is it in comparison to USA and China?
These are just some of my comments for your journal. Thanks.
Dear Alcander,
ReplyDeleteIn my reflection, I mentioned that rulers should continue to play their role well as rulers. Hence, it is still beneficial for the country to prosper when majority of "Me generation" is politically apathetic, as long as there are still potential rulers in the next generation (i.e. from Lee Kuan Yew to Lee Hsien Loong)
Dear Benjamin,
ReplyDeleteI would just like to raise one point in regard to the last point you made in your essay. You mentioned that American students have to have a grasp on politics to be able to pursue their personal interests. However, the new generation of American youths may solely be interested in materialistic gains that provide tangible gratification and rewards, and these certainly do not have to be tied in with politics.
Thanks.
Dear Ernest,
ReplyDeleteCan you please give an example of interests snot having to be tied to politics? Be it cheaper school fees or better teaching facilities, most changes to the school system has to go through various policies and thus politics.