State, civil society and democracy : the case of South Korea and Taiwan

Abstract

This thesis analyses the key elements of remarkable economic growth in South Korea and Taiwan where both have taken similar economic development strategies during the postwar era. Contrary to the neoclassical interpretation, which emphasizes the function of market and liberalization, evidence in Korea and Taiwan shows the important role of the state for the early-stage development. On the other hand, beyond the former debates - market versus state-, the study also sheds light on the dark side of rapid industrialization. Ample evidence demonstrates that the achievement of 'miracle' growth has been brought by extremely low labour wages, especially for women in Korea, and by intensive industrialization policies which have destroyed the environment of the island of Taiwan. This argument presents that concerns have never been directed to the fact that the life of people has always been marginalized in the name of economic growth, both in theory and in practice. The work in the thesis offers the necessity of the strong leadership of the state in the particular stage of development process. However, at the same time, it is claimed that people in civil society should influence the process of development, as well. The thesis concludes, firstly, that there is no sole alternative path of development which belongs to one paradigm and thus each country has the right to pursue its own path for development. In addition, it is admitted that present development theories and policies lack an understanding of civil society. In order to empower civil society, the thesis concludes, secondly, that the function of participatory democracy is required, where people do not yield to the dominant power of the state and economic pressures of productivity improvement imposed by the market.