Policy networks in South Korea and Taiwan during the democratic era

Abstract

This article examines policy networks in South Korea and Taiwanduring the democratic era. Policy networks are the core mechanisms of developmentalismin the two countries. However, democratization affects policycoordination differently in the two countries. By focusing on policy networksas their core mechanisms of developmentalism, this article shows that thefate of developmental states in the democratic period is not fixed. The Koreanstate fails to maintain policy networks, thus becoming less developmental. Itseconomic policies become inconsistent, short-term-oriented, over-politicizedand poorly monitored. Meanwhile, Taiwan further develops policy networks,so becoming more developmental. These two contrasting experiences of networkmanagement and policy choice help account for the differential impactsof the financial crisis on South Korea and Taiwan.