Intro to Politics: Why You Should Care

by Allison Lee

“The worst illiterate is the political illiterate, he doesn’t hear, doesn’t speak, nor participates in [the] political events. He doesn’t know the cost of life, the price of the bean, of the fish, of the flour, of the rent, of the shoes and of the medicine, all depends on political decisions. The political illiterate is so stupid that he is proud and swells his chest saying that he hates politics. The imbecile doesn’t know that, from his political ignorance is born… the worst thieves of all, the bad politician, corrupted and flunky of the national and multinational companies.” —Bertolt Brecht


It’s far too easy for people in this day and age to brush off politics and say: “Why should I care about politics when it doesn’t concern me? Those in charge don’t even have my interests at heart, much less represent my beliefs.” 

Ladies and gentlemen, the very fact that you are not being represented by your government is all the reason you need to be politically aware or involved. As Dana Pierangeli, columnist for The Michigan Daily, so eloquently put it: “The people who are elected, the laws that are passed, every action made possible by politics affects your everyday life dramatically.”

I fear people are apathetic toward politics because they mistake the subject for one that revolves around being on one side of the aisle or the other. Thanks to years of power and monetary corruption alongside personal greed, dog-eared politicians have smeared what was designated to be a critical pillar of society. 

Politics, at its core, is about caring for the greater good; a stranger’s well-being, a passerby’s ability to safely make ends meet, if you will. It’s about making decisions that benefit the majority, that will provide for the everyday people’s necessities, and uplift living standards.

With this new definition of politics, we come to understand why people refuse to dip their toes in too-hot or too-cold political climates. Humans, at our core, are wired to look out for our personal interests rather than care about the people you brush shoulders with on the daily commute. When you take into account how many families struggle to put food on the table, it becomes momentarily logical why they can’t spare the energy to care for the family next door. However, it is futile to negate the reach of politics in our life—this much is non-arguable.

You might not be interested in politics, but rest assured politics is very much interested in you. If that is the case, maybe it’s high time you take a peek behind the curtains of politics. Perhaps you need some convincing to care about politics—I am more than thrilled to indulge you. 

First and foremost, as if this wasn’t already clear as day, the government plays a key influencing factor in our lives. No one person is excluded, no matter the form of government. From how much toll you pay to the water you drink, your healthcare entitlement to the police force that may or may not exert brutality, the government has a hand in it all. Since that is true, why wouldn’t we want to understand their decision-making process? Why wouldn’t we want to hold them accountable in providing for us, their citizens? Aren’t you the least bit curious about the ingredients the chef used to concoct your meal?

Secondly, it is our duty as citizens to stay updated on everything going on around us. Nay, it is our duty to stay updated, analyze the movements of the government, and judge whether or not they are taking the right steps. Our job doesn’t stop at electing officials to represent us; we have to hold those officials accountable, shadow their steps, and make sure they are carrying out their promises, instating beneficial foreign policies and all.

And of course, let’s not forget that refusing to partake in conversations of politics brands you as ignorant. Many people will voice out in a matter of controversy while holding little to no true knowledge on the subject matter. Such opinions do not contribute to discussions and will make the person appear uninformed. Being politically disengaged poses a danger to your future, your parents’ future, your children’s future, your friends’ future, and virtually the future of everyone you know and don’t. 

Is it depressing and tiring to be politically updated? Are certain governments so laughable that they single-handedly supply memes for the internet? Can politics be an uncomfortable topic at the dinner table especially when your insanely religious and traditional relatives are present?

The answer to all three of those questions is a resounding ‘yes’. Politics cannot be avoided. You can close your eyes and ears to it, but decisions made from it will touch your day-to-day life. Politics isn’t something you can actively outrun or shrug off like the many theorems and formulae from high school.

Being oblivious to politics is not a personality trait either. Using the excuse of ‘not wanting to be judgmental’ isn’t valid. Ignorance in the face of something that has control over your life harms everybody, especially when elections become involved. Ever wondered why unpopular (democratic) governments stay in power for multiple terms, if not decades? Because people don’t vote. The ‘my vote doesn’t count, it won’t change anything’ mentality is too conveniently adopted. But zoom out of the picture. Imagine thousands, millions of people thinking the same thing. They stay home during election day and go about their usual routine. Just like that, a good portion of the population goes unrepresented, their voices muted. 

What happens next is a series of complaints and dissent against the government they had allowed to stay in power because of their negligence and ignorance. It’s a vicious cycle that is hazardous to everyone.

Take a look at the United States, who has struggled with voter turnout for decades before this year. In 2016, an estimated 138 million Americans cast their ballots; in 2020, it was 161 million—historically the largest number of voters in any U.S. presidential election. The outcome? Trump was voted out of office, and while Biden isn’t the best choice out there, he is the lesser of two evils on the ballot. 

When you have informed voters, the political climate shifts for the better. People are more aware of what they need, want, and expect from their government and are willing to step out and make their voices heard. That is what politics is about—making your country and society more livable for yourself and those around you, no matter your relations. 


Caring about politics shouldn’t be a chore; it should be your daily cup of joe, something your system needs to absorb for the better, something you feel the need to do every day. 

If you’re ready to start caring, there are many ways to go about it. Newspapers, television, and the internet are the most basic places to start. You can also broaden your selection by listening to podcasts, talking with your friends (like-minded or otherwise), or engaging in relevant classes. 

Forbes recommends the following news sources and so do we. The great thing about most of these named publications is they have a YouTube channel if you prefer to watch your news rather than read it:

  • The New York Times
  • The Wall Street Journal 
  • The Washington Post
  • BBC
  • The Economist 
  • The New Yorker
  • Bloomberg News
  • The Atlantic 

If you’re looking for more Malaysian-centric sources, we’ve got you covered too: 

  • MalaysiaKini 
  • Undi 18
  • Free Malaysia Times 
  • The Edge
  • Malay Mail
  • Centre.my

If you don’t want to go through the extra efforts of searching up news sources, opt for activist Instagram accounts instead. We all scroll aimlessly on social media anyway, so why not decoct some benefits out of it? Here is our curated list of accounts to follow:

  • @soyouwannatalkabout
  • @infoandgraphic 
  • @theloudasians
  • @theslacktivists
  • @impact
  • @myermovement

As you read articles and watch commentaries, it’s important to keep in mind that politicians and governments have the power to sway information in their favor, to peddle the news toward propaganda that rewards them. Always obtain information from more than two sources and cross-check them. For Instagram activist posts, most of the listed accounts will include their sources, so you know where they’re getting their information from and can assess the accuracy and reliability of it. This decreases your chances of falling victim to false news, or as Trump likes to say it, fake news. Remember, a misinformed citizen is no better than an uninformed one.


Ever since I’ve picked up an interest in the subject matter, I have received comments criticizing me for being too political or too judgmental, that I should be content with what I already have, the life I am already living. I am content. 

I don’t insert myself in the sphere of politics to climb the social or economic ladder, I care about politics because I’m not content with the oppression faced by the black community, the excess of authority granted to police units, the prosecution of the LGBTQ+ community, the humanitarian crises in the Middle East, the unpunished abuse of women in Mexico, the criminalization of suicide, China’s detainment of Uyghurs, and so much more.

There is no such thing as being ‘too political’, but there can be such a thing as ‘too ignorant’. If you insist your life is unaffected by politics, I hate to be the one to break it to you, but that is a privilege. And the rude awakening is even if it doesn’t affect you, it’s going to take a toll on the people around you and consequently your life—for better or for worse. 

If you take nothing else away from this article, take with you the words of the Greek philosopher Plato: “If you do not take an interest in the affairs of your government, then you are doomed to live under the rule of fools.”