The Myth of Confucian Capitalism in South Korea

Overworked Elderly and Underworked Youth

Bibliographic Data

ID2903299
AuthorsJi-Whan Yun (0000-0002-7437-2507, Kyung Hee University, corresponding author)
Year2010
Volume83
Issue2
Pages237-259
Publication date2010-06-18
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenuePacific Affairs (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0030-851X • E-ISSN: 1715-3379
PublisherPacific Affairs (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.5509/2010832237
OpenAlexW2317479836
LanguageEN
Citations received11

The discourse of Confucian capitalism in East Asia is built upon two assumptions. First, some Confucian virtues, such as strong family ties, the greater importance of community over individuals and social cohesiveness, have remained intact in East Asia. Second, these virtues have contributed to the industrialization of East Asian countries. For example, the collective orientation for catch-up growth helped the state to set development as the nation’s priority goal and to mobilize society to achieve this goal.1 For the scholars of Confucian capitalism, South Korea (hereafter, Korea) is a typical case of this discourse. They have highlighted a well-preserved tradition of elderly support by young breadwinners despite the country’s rapid industrialization.2 Within Korean households, adult children play the bread-winning role and take care of their dependent family members. Retired parents, lacking reliable income after leaving the workforce, depend on their adult children for support. The scholars have further argued that this type of intergenerational linkage has shaped strong collective bonds among Koreans, which has empowered the state to endeavour to achieve economic growth in the name of the public good of the nation.3

Capitalism · Mythology · Political science · Politics · Sociology · Gender Studies · History · Intergenerational Family Dynamics and Caregiving · Japanese History and Culture · Law · Social Policy and Reform Studies

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