Politics is the process of expressing one's thoughts within a community, listening to others' thoughts, and coordinating together.

On the holiday table, surrounded by the closest people, "Let's not talk about politics or religion" has become the new normal. It has solidified into a kind of 'implicit etiquette' to avoid unnecessary arguments and move on quietly. We have internalized this new etiquette for too long and too deeply, without any questioning.

Now, we must examine whether that is truly correct. If politics is seen merely as a struggle for positions, then forbidding political discussions might seem justifiable.

However, if politics is viewed as a process of expressing one's thoughts within a community, listening to others' thoughts, and coordinating together, the story changes.

This is also why the academic category of politics lies between philosophy and diplomacy. Politics is a practical process of finding solutions for coexistence through conflict and dialogue between different ideas.

Although "religion and politics," topics that are taboo especially in close relationships, are placed on the same level, they are fundamentally different. Religion is a realm of faith in supreme dignity, not of verification. Different beliefs are prone to conflict. For religious issues, dialogue is possible only when mutual recognition is absolute, rather than a process of 'thesis-antithesis-synthesis'.

However, politics does not target absolute dignity. Various opinions must be converged through a process of 'thesis-antithesis-synthesis', and only then can politics function properly.

The essence of politics is the process by which differing opinions converge into a consensus for the community, moving beyond conflict. Therefore, 'dignity' and 'sanctity' cannot exist among the subjects of political dialogue.

The president, fraudulent elections, the CCP (Chinese Communist Party), and Maduro's regime in Venezuela can all be brought to the discussion table. Of course, any assertion must be preceded by reflection and study, not by dogmatism or stubbornness.

The moment politics solidifies into a belief in dignity like religion, democracy's breath is cut off. We have already experienced Nazi totalitarianism and Marxist-Leninist communism, born from blind faith without verification. They understood politics as a 'power struggle,' and all of them disappeared into the annals of history due to the cold judgment of citizens.

Article 1, Clause 1 of our Constitution clearly declares:

"The Republic of Korea is a democratic republic."

This short sentence contains two clear promises. 'Democracy' refers to the 'goal and right' that the people hold sovereignty, and 'republic' signifies the 'process and duty' of the community agreeing together. However, we have only demanded rights and overlooked the processes and duties.

To say let's not have political discussions is ultimately an invitation to abandon the duty of a republic. Like the duties of national defense and taxation, 'republicanism' is a responsibility that comes with being a citizen of a democratic republic.

One might point fingers at those who bring up political topics, calling them 'selfish and noisy,' but what truly matters is whether one possesses the subjectivity to say, 'This is how I think about this society and its future.' This is the beginning of democracy. When the sovereign does not speak about politics, politics moves to the side of dictators.

Freely discussing politics is the mark of a true citizen and sovereign of a democratic republic. It is in dictatorships that one cannot speak about politics even if they want to.

Let's put politics on the table this year with our tteokguk. Just as we learn good drinking etiquette from elders, so too do we learn good political culture. A culture of 'republicanism' that sprouts well from home will be a strong root supporting liberal democracy.

Political Documentary Writer

◆ Writer Min Byung-gon

Current) Political Documentary Writer

Current) Spokesperson for the Incheon City Party of the People Power Party