Sure enough, the lectures today on politics doesn't interest many of us. Personally, I want to engage more in politics, but not to be a politician because I think that there's kind of stereotype, which affects me of course, that says politicians are nasty.
It's a fact that some officials in China have been involved in corruption. And there's difference between corruption and bribe. Some may accept small bribes but that doesn't mean he's corrupted. My father works for our government all his life. In his opinion, there are rarely any government officials that do not involve in any bribe. Because situations in China are very peculiar. I'm not that sure about it the states. The long history of feudalism in China definitely breeds bureaucrat. In ancient times, officials expected to see some gifts or anything given by people to show that people respect him. And by providing gifts or bribe, people feel reassured since the official knows what you want and he's gonna help you. Nowadays in China, it's hard for a government official to remain that straight and clean all the time because if you want to be clean and stay out of those so called nasty business of corruption, then I'm afraid that you will soon be squizzed out of the official circle for your uncorporation. Believe it or not, government officials more or less accept bribes. If the bribe is not that big, then the law won't punish it. So then thing goes on and on. Strangely, I'm not that opposed to it, the bribe thing. Because sometimes it is so hard to define a gift and a bribe. Is dinner a bribe? Probably not. But that's how people are doing nowadays. They invite the officials to a dinner, then they eat and drink and talk about the "business". It almost becomes a custom. Chinese people talk about business at dinner.
After seeing this, you may already think that politics in China is not so nice. The reason why I want to involve in polictics is that I want to issue my opinion and feel that kind of power. Professor Wilstrom is right. Politics is about power. And power is definitely a strong motive for all of us. Everyone more or less is driven by the power in different areas. Students having intensive reading classes from BFSU all read the article about the 5 things that push people forward. Power is definitely the most important one.