신자유주의 시대의 사회 불안, 국가 폭력, 그리고 공동체의 위기

Abstract

This study argues that community sustainability—already in threat in the age of neoliberalism and polycrisis—has been undermined owing to long-term structural violence and the lack of social safety net in South Korea. It is thus critical to analyze the mechanisms and effects of structural violence to determine the current nature of community crises. The purpose of this study is two-fold. First, I suggest an expanded view of state violence, which helps articulate its characteristics and influences. Persisting structural violence is inextricably linked to the recent social phenomena such as antisocial violence that signals social tensions and conflicts. Second, I contend that the South Korean government deploys a variety of state violence mechanisms to manage social insecurity and oppress social resistance rather than addressing structural root causes. Subsequently, the government policies proliferate forms of violence, exacerbating social divisions and insecurity. This study proposes a notion of neoliberal punitive state to elaborate on how increasing state violence aims to handle insecurity that stems from neoliberal approaches. Finally, this study calls for further research on state violence to examine structural harm to community flourishing and sustainability.