State, Society and Big Business in South Korea

Overview

This book examines how the South Korean state is able to execute national policies that are opposed to the interests of social constituents, despite the expansion of social power. The relationship between the government and big business provides an illuminating example of this.

Key Themes

The author demonstrates how Confucian values, the role of the family, and a firm hierarchical tradition have prevented South Korea from developing a modern state on the Western model.