The Korean Government and Public Policies in a Development Nexus: Sustaining Development and Tackling Policy Changes – Volume 2 (The Political Economy of the Asia Pacific)

This volume chronicles the policy challenges and adaptations faced and made by the South Korean government during the post-industrialization and democratization period. Following the model set by the first volume in the series, which covered the economic and social development during the developmental period from the 1960s to the 1980s, this volume examines how and to what extent the South Korean government has adapted to a variety of political, economic and social transformations since the 1990s. The book is divided in two parts. Part I reviews the changing policy environments and government policy paradigms in the wake of industrialization and democratization, focusing on the reorganization and coordination of government ministries and agencies. Part II explores key public policy areas, such as economics, social welfare, and foreign relations, where the South Korean government has successfully adapted to new policy challenges and environments. Drawing policy implications for the future actions of the South Korean government as well as for those countries wishing to replicate South Korea’s success and avoid its errors, this book of interest to both scholars and policy-makers concerned with development in the Asia-Pacific. Foreword 6 Contents 8 Editors and Contributors 10 1 Introduction 14 1.1 The Goal of the Book 14 1.2 An Overview of the Book 16 References 18 Policy Environment and Governance 19 2 Changes in the Political, Social and Economic Environment of Public Policy in South Korea After the 1980s 20 2.1 Introduction 20 2.2 Overview of the Contemporary History of South Korea 21 2.2.1 Political Environment During the Developmental Era 21 2.2.2 6/29 Declaration and Revision of Constitution: A Critical Juncture for Democratization 22 2.2.3 Financial Crisis and Kim Dae-Jung Administration Reforms: Another Critical Juncture 24 2.3 Changes in the Policy Environment 26 2.3.1 Political Change 26 2.3.1.1 Legislative Power and Divided Government 26 2.3.1.2 Crisis of Representative Democracy 27 2.3.2 Social Change 28 2.3.2.1 Rise of the Pluralistic Civil Society 28 2.3.2.2 Increased Social Instability 29 2.3.3 Economic Change 31 2.3.3.1 Globalization and Global Standards 31 2.3.3.2 Labor Market Flexibility 31 2.4 Challenges to Key Policy Actors 33 2.4.1 The Presidency 34 2.4.2 The Legislature 35 2.4.3 State Bureaucracy 36 2.4.4 Summary 37 2.5 Conclusion 38 References 39 3 Leaving Behind the Developmental State: The Changing Rationale of Governance in Korean Governments 41 3.1 Introduction 41 3.2 The Rationale of Governance and the Developmental State 42 3.3 The ‘Civilian’ Government and Market Liberalization 44 3.4 State-Led Economic Reform and Social Protection 47 3.5 Participatory Democracy and Innovations in the Public Sector 49 3.6 Back to the Developmental State? 51 3.7 Conclusion 52 References 54 4 The State-Civil Society Relationship in Korea 56 4.1 Introduction 56 4.2 Theoretical Discussions 58 4.3 Government-NPO Relationships Under Progressive Governments 61 4.4 Government-NPO Relationships Under Conservative Governments 66 4.5 The State-Society Relationship from the Perspective of the Government and Non-profit Civic Organization Relationship 72 References 74 Public Policies Beyond the Developmental State Paradigm 76 5 The National Innovation System (NIS) for the Catch-up and Post-catch-up Stages in South Korea 77 5.1 Introduction 77 5.2 Methodology for Analyzing the NIS of Countries 79 5.3 The NIS During the Catch-up Stages in Korea 81 5.4 Transition to NIS for the Post-catch-up Stage 84 5.5 Policy Implication: Reforming the NIS in Korea 88 References 90 6 From the Developmental to the Universal Welfare State: Lost in Transition? 91 6.1 Introduction 91 6.2 Reform of the Developmental Welfare State 92 6.3 Social and Economic Changes and New Social Risks 94 6.4 Searching for the Universal Welfare State 97 6.5 Lost in Transition? 100 6.6 Conclusion 104 References 105 7 South Korea’s Policy Responses to the Changing Trade Environment in the Post-Uruguay Round Period 106 7.1 Introduction 106 7.2 Patterns of South Korean Trade 108 7.3 Institutional Landscape in the Post-UR Period 111 7.4 South Korean Policy Responses 113 7.4.1 Changing Policy Preferences and Strategies 113 7.4.2 Major Players and Their Goals 116 7.5 Conclusion and Policy Implications 119 References 120 8 The Challenges of Foreign Policy and Suggestions for Future Responses 123 8.1 Introduction 123 8.2 Challenges for Korean Foreign Policy 124 8.2.1 Demands from Democratized Domestic Politics 124 8.2.2 Korea’s Security Posture in Transition 126 8.2.3 North Korean Security Threat 129 8.2.4 Public and Middle Power Diplomacy in Great Demand 131 8.3 Suggestions for Korean Foreign Policy 132 8.3.1 Pursuing Principled Foreign Policy 132 8.3.2 Seeking Domestic Consensus for Effective Foreign Policy 132 8.3.3 Searching for a Sustainable Diplomatic Path in Northeast Asia 134 8.3.4 Dealing with North Korean Provocation 136 8.3.5 Investing More in Public and Middle Power Diplomacy 137 8.4 Conclusion 138 References 139 9 Conclusion 141 9.1 Korea as a Model of Growth: Old and New 141 9.2 From a Middle Income Country to a Mature Post-industrial Society 142 9.3 Two Steps Back for One Step Forward 144 9.4 What Lies Ahead 145 References 147 Front Matter....Pages i-xii Introduction....Pages 1-5 Front Matter....Pages 7-7 Changes in the Political, Social and Economic Environment of Public Policy in South Korea After the 1980s....Pages 9-29 Leaving Behind the Developmental State: The Changing Rationale of Governance in Korean Governments....Pages 31-45 The State-Civil Society Relationship in Korea....Pages 47-66 Front Matter....Pages 67-67 The National Innovation System (NIS) for the Catch-up and Post-catch-up Stages in South Korea....Pages 69-82 From the Developmental to the Universal Welfare State: Lost in Transition?....Pages 83-97 South Korea’s Policy Responses to the Changing Trade Environment in the Post-Uruguay Round Period....Pages 99-115 The Challenges of Foreign Policy and Suggestions for Future Responses....Pages 117-134 Conclusion....Pages 135-141 Jongwon Choi, Huck-ju Kwon, Min Gyo Koo, Editors. Includes Bibliographical References.