Globalization, Democracy and Social Polarization in South Korea

Abstract

With the onset of the global financial crisis in 2008, the ideological hegemony of neo-liberalism has been called into question. Globalization has exacerbated inequality among countries, regions, and social classes, and between regular and irregular workers, thus seriously weakening the material base of democracy. In this chapter Im first analyzes four perspectives on the relationship between globalization and democracy. Second, he discusses under what conditions globalization generates social polarization and thus weakens the material bases of emerging democracy. Third, Im explains how and why social and economic polarizations have deepened under the neoliberal Lee Myung-Bak government. Finally, the possibility of resolving social polarization under a globalized economy is discussed.