Economic Development and Authoritarianism: Lessons from the South Korean model The Korean experience raises two

major questions: 1. Is democratic development an evolutionary phenomenon resulting from economic development? 2. Is authoritarianism more effective and desirable in achieving development goals? Modernization theory democratic development is an evolutionary phenomenon and a concomitant of modernity, hence, democracy is an outcome of socioeconomic development, not a condition of it (see Leftwich 1996). - basis: historical studies that found that modern democracies can occur only under certain conditions of capital industrialization - Lipest 1959: the more well to do a nation becomes the greater the chances it will become and sustain democracy - Political logic: capitalist development is related to democracy in the sense that it shifts the balance of power and weakens the power of the landlord class and strengthens subordinate classes. Criticism: - fails to take into account new authoritarianism and economically successful authoritarian regimes in East Asia Authoritarian development paradigm - corollary: developmental state model - Authoritarian developmental states strong state regimes engaged in facilitating fast capitalist growth. They are characterized by centralized power structure and a strong drive to eliminate or subordinate all potential centers of countervailing power. Why do developmental states work? a. Suppression of consumption and effective mass mobilization for industrialization sacrifices necessary for early industrialization such as keeping wages low, conducting large scale public health campaigns, etc. b. Technocratic rationality eg. selection and expansion of industrial base c. Insulation from pressures by different social interests and policy consistency d. Developmental ideology national ideology for hard work and sacrifice for economic development But note: Not all authoritarian regimes see economic development, so why are some of them successful? - No hard and fast answers - (Alicors theory): Some states, by virtue of culture and history, are more suited to accept authoritarian regimes at the early stage of development (e.g. those who have a history of monarchical reign, national unity, revolution, and Confucianism) - Chalmers Johnsons theory: What is required is not necessarily a democratic state but a developmental state. Two noted advantages of developmental states

a. the ability of state to deny political access to unwanted groups b. ability to select among market operations, and hence, the ability to guide the economy Note: these two are important because it leads to coordination and cooperation between government and industries (the state acts like a veto player outlining the rules of the game). Ten factors that contributed to Korean Economic development (Chang Se-Moon) 1. efficient economic leadership 2. national security 3. global vision of leaders 4. aggressive foreign policy 5. dedicated economic planners 6. reverse brain drain 7. risk taking entrepreneurs 8. timely investments in technology 9. educated manpower 10. tradition of hard work Closer look at some of these factors National security - After the Korean war, the United States provided a security umbrella through the US Mutual Defense Treaty (January 1950). - Korea-Japan Agreement, June 22, 1965 Export oriented strategy - made possible by highly educated technocrats and goal oriented government - building new institutions and social infrastructure Role of education - Many parents sent children for education overseas especially during the 50s and 60s (usually to the United States) - Many people believe this emphasis on education is based on Confucian heritage Government support for the private sector - The government support of the private sector during the early years of development inevitably led to the creation of chaebols. Emphasis on technology - Korea also paid serious attention to one key ingredient for development, which is technology. Korea established the Ministry of Science and Technology in 1967 Strong efficient governance - Koreas success has been largely thanks to strong but efficient governance, competent economic planners, an educated workforce, and hard-working people, all of which together made the Miracle on the Han River possible.