From Transition to Power Alternation: Democracy in South Korea, 1987-1997

by Carl Saxer

Overview

In 1987 South Korea began a democratic transition after almost three decades of significant economic development under authoritarian rule. Increased civil unrest caused by dissatisfaction resulted in the regime agreeing to constitutional changes in the summer of 1987. By 1992 the first president without a military background was elected and during his tenure a further deepening of democracy took place. These reforms were instrumental in making it possible that in 1997 for the first time in South Korean history an opposition candidate was elected president. This book examines the initial transition and later attempts at consolidating democracy in South Korea, and argues that although significant progress had been made and a power alternation achieved by late 1997, South Korea could not, by the end of that decade (1987-97), be considered a consolidated democracy.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780415933933
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	08/23/2002
Series:	East Asia: History, Politics, Sociology and Culture
Pages:	278
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

Carl. J. Saxer

Table of Contents

List of Figures List of Tables Abbreviations Acknowledgements Note on Romanization 1. Introduction 2. Division and Authoritarianism: Korea's Political Heritage, 1945-1985 3. The Democratic Transition 4. Deepening Democracy: The 'Era of Ordinary People' 5. Attempting Democratic Consolidation 6. Conclusion: Evaluating Democracy in Korea, 1987-1997 Bibliography