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Civil society and democracy in East Asia with special reference to South Korea

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Abstract

This paper is an attempt to construct a case for a distinctively South Korean approach to civil society and democracy. The end of military rule and emergence of democracy in South Korea in the late 1980s and early 1990s can be seen as part of a global surge of democratization called the “third wave” of democracy. The aim of this paper is to review how the concept of civil society has been used in East Asia with special reference to South Korea’s democratic transition. What resource and capacity challenges do they face today? The study aims to analyze the development pattern and the character of civil society that has emerged and is different from the Western European pattern. For South Korean democracy to consolidate, civil society should gradually move from an assembly of anti-government forces to a consolidated, tightly organized and well-defined interest group. The State should pledge to develop initiatives that support civil society and strengthen governments committed to democracy.

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  1. University of Delhi, Flat No. A-602, Krishna Garden Apartments, Plot No. 10, Sector- 19b, Dwarka, New Delhi, 110075, India

    Sangit Sarita Dwivedi

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  1. Sangit Sarita Dwivedi
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Correspondence to Sangit Sarita Dwivedi.

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Dwivedi, S.S. Civil society and democracy in East Asia with special reference to South Korea. J. Soc. Econ. Dev. 19, 211–226 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40847-016-0031-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40847-016-0031-x

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