Welcome to a World Woven by Power

In truth, the word 'politics' is not so beautiful. Even in daily conversation, calling someone’s words and actions 'political' is a form of criticism. If a comedian on a TV show were to mock the administration of the day, the internet would erupt with comments like, 'If you don’t refrain from 'political' statements, your sponsors will drop you.' (Interestingly, words and actions that defend the administration are rarely criticized as 'political').

In other words, the Japanese word 'politics' carries the connotation of 'a duplicity that uses plausible-sounding logic to gain support from people for one's own personal interests or ideals.' And since you are about to study in a department that bears this name, I honestly feel a bit conflicted when I stand before new students with bright, eager eyes.

Nevertheless, I must make the case for the appeal of political science here. And since I intend to describe its selling points by focusing on 'power'—a term with particularly strong negative nuances among those used in this field of study—this will be a rather convoluted tale.

Now, I mentioned that 'power' has negative nuances. This is because power, as a coercive force, is ultimately a form of violence. But why do humans need such a dangerous thing? It is surely because we have come to realize that 'unless we threaten by brandishing power—and in the worst-case scenario (and it is the worst case), actually exercise it—things simply cannot be brought into order. That is how diverse the ideals and interests held by people are.' To jump to the conclusion, in this sense, a world where politics and political science exist is one that presupposes a rich variety of individuality among people and groups. Political science is the study of diversity. I want you to consider the meaning of why we need power and the politics it weaves, whether from a global perspective, with an interest in institutions, or in a philosophical manner. It is with these thoughts that I stand on the lecture platform at Hiyoshi each year to welcome you all.