Post on 20-Jan-2016
Influence of Confucianism in South Korea’s Economy Oscar Yiu 2012564709
Todd Lam 3035054426
Content
1. Origin and Traditional Concepts of Korea’s Confucianism
2. Argument and Stance
3. Confucianism and Chaebol(s)
4. Confucianism and Governing
5. Pros and Cons
6. Conclusion
The origin of Korea’s Confucianism
Confucius’ philosophy in ancient China
Sociocultural principal of family life
Political force of personal conduct
Introduced in the 5th century AD.
In Koryo, Wang Kon (877-943) persisted Confucianism emulate Tang China
Political ruling ideology of a centralized state since Yi dynasty (1392 – 1910).
East Asian cultural sphere ( 동아문화권 ): Korea, China, Japan, Taiwan, and Vietnam share a Confucian philosophical worldview
Traditional Confucianism
Authoritarianism
The emperor or national leader to lead the nation
Hierarchy
Patriarchy the rule of men over women.
Seniority the father of the family to rule the family vs Filial Duty of sons
Rank based social structure
The Four Occupation:
Scholars, Officials
Farmers
Artisans
Merchants
Goal: Social harmony
Point of Interest:
Whether implanting Confucianism into the roots of Korea’s economy was a good or bad idea
Whether continuing to embed Confucianism into future decision making would lead to a prosperous or unbeneficial future
Looking at Korea through Confucianism Social vs. Independent (SvI)
To work hard to benefit
Oneself vs. Society
Improvement of oneself
Great human capital
Back to SvI
High school graduates Colleges = 2nd Highest % in the world
Can do!
Countless work hours
1975 and 1983 were 50.5 and 54.3
Confucianism’s Relationship Structure
Father and Son relationship Master and Servant
Husband and Wife relationship Increased value of Mutual Friendship
Confucianism and Government
“The Will of Heaven”
“The Universe”
“The Power of the State”
Relationships
Confucianism and Chaebol(s)
A Chaebol company consists of
The core group
The middle group
The marginal group
Increase in stability
Decrease in employees leaving the company
Confucianism in Contemporary Korean Society: Strong Leadership
Strong indicative planning system operated under a strong military dictatorship of Park Chung-hee (1917-1979) during the 1960-70s.
Economy Development of the DPRK and the Republic of Korea (ROK) (1960-2010) (Unit: $):
Sources: China idigest
Centralization is consistent with traditional Confucian doctrines. (the national leader to the nation)
Confucianism in Contemporary Korean Society: Strong Leadership
Major characteristics of Park Chung-hee’s industrialization policy:
Proper planning
Government-driven capitalism.
Basis for a self-supporting economy
Export-oriented
Nationalization
The Miracle on the Han River ( 한강의 기적 )
Role model of economic development to other developing economies. (e.g. Singapore, China)
Confucianism in Contemporary Korean Society: Emphasis on Education Chinese Tang Dynasty’s civil service examinations a test on the
Confucian classics
Officials were thought of as the highest social status.
The only way of being officials Participating in civil service examinations
Korean Parents are willing to sacrifice wealth children can receive the best education possible.
Private spending on education (% of GDP)
Source : OECD
2011
Korea 2.8
Japan 1.6
The US 2.2
Average (OECD)
0.9
Confucianism in Contemporary Korean Society: Emphasis on Education Percentage of education expenditure (% of GNI):
Source: World Bank
The investments in education paid off as it produced a well-educated labor force supply the strength of the manufacturing chaebols in the 1960s
1990 2000 2010 2013
Korea 2.9 3.1 4.5 4.7
Japan 3.9 3.1 3.2 3.3
China 1.6 1.8 1.8 1.8
The US 4.4 4.5 4.8 4.6
Confucianism in Contemporary Korean Society: Gender Inequality
Men are superior in comparison to women
Traditional agricultural society Productivity of men > women
Traditional marriage system Take husband’s last name
The Confucian ideal of womanhood:
Husband is specialized in external affairs, wife in internal.
Women should serve nation and family as a “good wife” and “wise mother” by managing the household, own wills are usually confined.
Confucianism in Contemporary Korean Society: Gender Inequality
Labour Force Participation Rate (% of female population ages 15+) (modeled ILO estimate)11:
Source: World Bank
Confucian thought: Women’s primary responsibility for housework and childcare in Korean families Imbalance Labour Force Participation between genders
1990 2000 2010 2013
Korea 77 49 49 47
Japan 50 49 49 49
China 73 71 64 50
The US 56 59 58 56
Confucianism in Contemporary Korean Society: Gender Inequality
Gender Wage Gap (Full-time Employees):
Source: OECD
Lower wage of female discourages women for regular employment Loss of potential economic growth
2000 2007 2013
Korea 41.760 38.162 36.600
Japan 33.859 31.742 26.588
China N/A N/A N/A
The US 23.089 19.843 17.907
World Average
18.221 16.242 15.464
Conclusion
To Improve or to continue? Problems encountered
Gender inequality Employment Issues
Macro or Micro? Solving gender work issues
Improving on wealth distribution
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