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Globalization of the Economy and Localization of Politics?: Restructuring the Developmental State via Decentralization in Korea

Korea Journal / Korea Journal, (P)0023-3900; (E)2733-9343
2006, v.46 no.4, pp.87-114

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Abstract

Initially introduced as a political strategy in the process of democra-tization, decentralization policy became a new device for restructur-ing the Korean developmental state after the financial crisis of 1997.At first glance, aspects of decentralization policy appear to have fol-lowed the imperatives of the global shift towards neoliberalism,thereby resulting in gradual penetration of market mode of reformin formulating intergovernmental relations as well as in functioningof local governance. In reality, however, proofs contradicting regula-tion-theoretical predictions are numerous. The end result was not de-construction but re-construction of the Korean developmental state.Far from being hollowed out, the state actively mediated the nexusbetween globalization and local transformation. From this analysis,this essay concludes that for the enhancement of local democracymore emphasis should be put upon the activation of civil society tocounteract the anomalies of local autonomy committed both by localand central government.

keywords
politics of decentralization, regionalism, globalization ofthe economy, local democracy, Korean developmental stateKang Myung-goo (Kang, Myeong-gu) is a professor at the College of Social Sciences, Ajou University, Suwon, Korea. He has published wide, politics of decentralization, regionalism, globalization ofthe economy, local democracy, Korean developmental stateKang Myung-goo (Kang, Myeong-gu) is a professor at the College of Social Sciences, Ajou University, Suwon, Korea. He has published wide

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