1st Edition

The North And South Korean Political Systems A Comparative Analysis

By Sung Chul Yang Copyright 1994
    983 Pages
    by Routledge

    998 Pages
    by Routledge

    A comparative look at North and South Korea's political and economic institutions and processes, and an examination of their evolution since 1945. Problems such as leadership succession, democratization, nuclear weapons, education and reunification are explored.

    Part 1 The Korean political heritage: a historical overview; political culture and traditions; nativistic resilience, nationalism, and beyond. Part 2 Contemporary political settings: politics of partition; ideology and the Korean experiments. Part 3 The North Korean political system - a totalitarian political order: the North Korean political framework; formal political structures and their evolution; the ruling elites and their political vicissitudes; Kim Il Sung's rise and retention of power. Part 3 The South Korean political system - a democratizing political order: the South Korean political framework; formal governmental structures and political process; the ruling elites and their modal characteristics; legitimacy crisis - from Rhee to Roh. Part 4 North and South Korean economic orientation - mobilization versus motivation: resource endowments and natural condition; economic systems, policies and strategies; performance in comparison. Part 5 Critical issues and problems: the seizure of power in North and South Korean politics; arms race and the twin fortifications of the Korean Peninsula; a socialist man versus a universal man - education in North and South Korean politics; reunification of policy models. Conclusion: North and South Korea as two living political laboratories.