Politics: Discussion Questions & Vocabulary

POLITICS – Discussion Questions

1. How much do you usually follow news and politics?  Where do you get our news?
2. Have you ever voted?
   If so, how did you feel? Proud? Excited? Apathetic?
3. Which politicians (Korean or foreign, current or past) do you most like and dislike?
4. Which candidates or party do you generally support? Why? Do you think there’s much difference?
5. How much do you discuss politics with family and friends?
6. Are your political views and attitudes similar to your parents and grandparents?
7. Who do you think will be the next president of ROK?  Who do you want to be?
8. In the future, do you think you will become more or less politically informed and active?
9. What do you think of university politics – issues and campaign style?
10. Would you ever consider becoming a politician? Why or why not?
11. Have you ever protested for a cause?
    Which cause would you be most likely to protest for?
12. What, if anything, would you like to change about the political system in your country?
13. Which political issues are most important to you? What is your position on….

• •  relations with North Korea? Aid? Negotiation or Confrontation?
  •  tax rates (should rich people pay higher taxes)?
  •  environmental protection vs. pro-business regulation?
  •  gay/lesbian rights to marry and adopt a child?
  •  abortion? gender equality (equal pay for equal work)
  • immigration regulations?  How hard should it be for non-Koreans to live and work in Korea?
  • educational reform?  How would you change the system (if at all)?

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Vocabulary

• politics (n.) – the process of debating, making laws, and running a government
• politician Person who has been elected and works professionally in politics.
• poll A survey of public opinion by questioning a selection of people.
• election (n.) – in a democracy/republic, when everyone votes for their representatives
• candidate – a person who tries to get people’s votes for a government position
• campaign – when candidates try to convince people to vote for them (through ads, speeches, etc.)
• run (v.) – to campaign for political office  Trump and Clinton are running for the office of President. 
• party (n.) – a group of people with similar political ideas (e.g. Democratic Party, 새누리당, 국민의당)
• debate (n., v.) – when candidates answer questions and argue with each other (usually before an election)
• conservative – a political philosophy based on keeping traditional views and spending less money
• liberal/progressive – a political philosophy based on progress and breaking with tradition
• independent – a person who does not belong to a particular political party
• patriotic (adj.) – feeling or showing love for one’s country
• opposition – the political party that is not in power; people who disagree with a certain view
• ballot   Paper or card marked by a person who votes.
• coalition Alliance of two or more political parties, usually to form a government.
• constitution A statement of the fundamental principles and laws by which a country or state is governed.
• dictatorship A form of government in which a single individual total power over a country
• incumbent Person currently holding an official position.
• landslide victory Win an election with a large majority of votes.
• nominee Person chosen by a political party to run for election.
• policy Course of action proposed by a government or political party.

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