Charisma Degenerated into 'Shorts Politics'

The current leadership race within South Korea's Democratic Party is notably characterized by the pervasive influence of YouTube 'shorts,' which dominate the online political landscape. While debates about the party's identity rage, substantive policy explanations and sophisticated visions are scarce. Instead, the focus has shifted to ridiculing opponents' gaffes or celebrating brief, impactful soundbites, creating a political environment where fleeting moments seem to define the discourse.

This phenomenon is not entirely new, as similar dynamics have been observed in parliamentary committee meetings. The transformation of the National Assembly, a forum for rational debate, into a studio for producing one-minute videos, and the rise of "fandom politics" driven by sensationalism, are deeply concerning. The article posits that the noble cause of "reform" has been distorted into a form of "fandomism" represented by shorts.

Drawing on Max Weber's theories, the author interprets this as a "secularization of charisma." Weber described charisma as a transcendent, innovative force driving reform. However, as this revolutionary fervor becomes institutionalized, the original values and visions often fade, leaving behind "secular dregs" focused on maintaining power. This is likened to the Puritan work ethic, which, while initially driven by religious calling, ultimately contributed to the rise of modern capitalism's pursuit of material gain.

"Shorts politics" is presented as the ultimate manifestation of this "secularization." It bypasses the complex process of analyzing reality and taking responsibility, instead creating "idols" that should be "disenchanted" by demonizing opponents and offering superficial catharsis. The "commercialization of stimulation" mobilizes blind fandom by triggering supporters' dopamine responses, reducing reformist aspirations to mere entertainment. This, combined with politicians' bureaucratic interests, risks trapping politics in Weber's "iron cage."

Politicians who gained power under the banner of reform become indifferent to solving complex real-world problems, focusing instead on maintaining their positions by securing the cheers of their fan base. The space for genuine debate and deliberation is supplanted by shorts, burying voices of introspection and future vision under a simplistic "noir" narrative of loyalty and betrayal. The party risks becoming a rigid "steel fence" of individual vested interests and a dogmatic adherence to the "reform" label.

The article draws a parallel to Korean history, where Neo-Confucianism, initially a reformist ethic, became rigid and power-obsessed once the ruling class attained full control. This led to an obsession with empty rituals and justifications, and the branding of any dissenting voices as "traitors to scholarship." The author questions whether contemporary shorts and fandom politics are resurrecting this "ghost of the traitor to scholarship."

Revisiting Weber, the author suggests that true reform lies not in rigid "justifications" but in a "pilgrim-like attitude" of constant self-reflection and renewal. A return to "ethics of responsibility," which acknowledges accountability for real-world outcomes beyond mere purity of belief, is urgently needed. The author concludes that fandom politics and dogmatic attitudes demanding blind obedience under the guise of reform are not genuine reformist identities but "idolatry" and "blind dogma" that Weber cautioned against, expressing hope that the current Democratic Party convention will serve as a crucial turning point for self-reflection.