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We’re used to a certain type of politics. One that’s tribalistic, adversarial, dominated by two major parties. But at a time when people are tired of the two major parties, this university course is trying to step in and show people a different way of working politics.
“Politics is still a taboo in Malta,” said Dr. Kurt Borg, a lecturer in the Department of Public Policy. “If you look around, political debate is extremely intense and sometimes unnecessary. As a country, we have not figured out how to express dissenting opinions as citizens, which is an essential element of democracy.”
Borg teaches the University of Malta’s BA in Politics and Governance course, a relatively new full-time course that allows students to study political science. It is the first course to delve into the particularities of local politics, unlike other “politics” courses offered by the university, especially International Relations and European Studies, which focus on the external dimensions of politics.
But the course is taught in a politically charged, partisan cultural context, and Bogle acknowledges that the department is intervening in that context, discouraging many people, especially young people, from participating in local politics.
“Around the world, political science as a discipline is well established. There’s nothing strange about what we’re doing in this – we’re just building on that idea. One of the aims of this course is to analyse the current cultural context in which politics takes place, to understand some of the quirkier, more idiosyncratic features of our political climate. We want to analyse and intervene in that, but also break the mould a little bit and contribute to the discourse and generation of Maltese politics, to a different look for Maltese politics,” he said.
But politics has played a major role in Maltese history and is deeply embedded in the fabric of society. Yet it took years before the University of Malta, or any educational institution for that matter, offered a political science course designed to analyse the local context.
There are a number of factors that contribute to this, Borg said. Some are institutional, such as universities struggling to find the right space or location to house a political science department.
“Nevertheless, in addition to our courses, there are a lot of courses that deal with political issues,” he said, pointing to international relations and European studies courses. “These courses have some continuity with what is currently offered, but unlike other courses, it is not only focused on the European level or the international relations level. So, we are getting involved in these aspects.”
This is a course that started out as a diploma and later developed into a part-time course. However, the department decided to change the structure based on their idea of who they wanted to attract to the course, especially young people.
Young people don’t care about politics, right?
Borg does not fully agree that young people do not care or are apathetic to politics. Even if they are apathetic and alienated from the current system, it does not mean that they are completely apolitical.
“Just because people are not interested in the two major parties doesn’t mean they don’t have alternative political ideas. I think this is an interesting moment in Maltese political history where we are starting to see young people being particularly dissatisfied with the main parties.”
That space of apathy could be filled or sparked by community spaces, Borg said, with residents’ groups emerging as an increasingly active space outside of partisan politics.
“It’s a space where young people can engage with politics in a good way, where they realise how important policies are to them and what they can do as citizens to bring about change. The feeling of success in a resistance project can motivate you further. It can be addictive in a good sense, and it makes you understand that politics is for you, regardless of party.”
For Borg, one problem is that people still think that political activism is only the purview of political parties. “It’s like there’s a dichotomy – you either work through a political party or you work through a graffiti movement or Friends of the Earth. These are all true, but there’s a huge area in between where people can be actively involved in politics.”
Podcasts and media as political space
In fact, podcasts or video essays are an increasingly popular way to help engage with politics. “These are probably activities that young people can engage with because they can convey political details,” he said.
“A lot of media organisations are doing this through explainer videos that are shorter, punchier and easier to digest. These videos are crucial and young people can engage with them more because they are more aware of what channels work, what media works, and they know how to use TikTok. It’s a space where young people can become more active and it can politicise them in a good sense.”
Specifically, on campus, quads can also function as political spaces. “I’m concerned that for much of the academic year, the quads — the main place where people can gather — have been taken over by commercial interests and some students say have been hijacked,” he said.
Here, Boger insisted that student organizations seek out funding opportunities so as not to become completely dependent on certain commercial organizations. “Obviously, KSU needs funding and sponsorship, but all student organizations should seek out funding sources that will not restrict or diminish their activities.”
“The quadrangle should be a space where more public activity can take place,” he continued. “The university and its buildings and infrastructure are not conducive to creating these spaces for encounter and debate. We don’t seem to be creating an atmosphere where students can be more engaged and rooted in the community.”
But job prospects in politics aren’t great, are they?
Borg also insists that the career opportunities that come with a political science degree are manifold. Many institutions value political research – even parliamentarians may need research assistants – so this could be an avenue for those taking the course.
“Besides that, some people who graduate with a degree in public policy or politics work in different entities in the public sector or even become journalists, so it opens up a lot of avenues for them. People get involved in unions, draft public policies. You can work in public administration or project management in the public sector. And that’s just at the local level.”
“I hope through this course people realize that politics doesn’t have to be what they see on the news, that overly confrontational activity. Politics can mean something else,” he said.
There are many ways for people to be politically active besides joining a political party, for example through civil society, the media and other policy forums.
“We do need these people from all different backgrounds and even different personalities. Not everyone approaches politics in the same way. Some prefer the grassroots level and can find their niche through this course. Others may aspire to get on to the local council and stand for elections – this course could be very helpful for them. We want to spark interest in politics and allow young people to find ways to get involved in it.”
Why study politics?
The campaign for the MEPs and local councils has focused on the Vitals corruption scandal. However, Borg said that when certain scandals reach this level, a certain level of institutional and political knowledge is required to understand what is happening.
“Sometimes young people don’t know where to start, or just read some headlines without really understanding the processes, procedures, meanings or values expected in a democratic society. All of these are part of civic and political education,” he said.
Ultimately, the undergraduate course is not about discussing what the Labour or National parties are doing. “It’s a discipline that analyses what’s happening around us – that’s one of the functions of education,” Mr Borg said.
“If education doesn’t equip you with the key skills to deal with the complex world we live in, the complex media environment we engage with and the wider international and European dimensions, then this course does that and it should appeal to anyone interested in political thought, political philosophical ideas and theories.”
“We strongly believe that this course also builds the classroom into a kind of community, where people can exchange ideas and express different opinions. We don’t believe in top-down teaching methods, we are not here to lecture students. We are here to equip young people with skills.”
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