Competing “Gender Coalitions”: Progressive Allies, Fragmented Opponents, and Contradictory State Interests

Abstract

Although women’s organizations are most often at the forefront of post-transitional gender-equality reform initiatives, the political opportunities that facilitate or constrain the realization of these demands are shaped by the balance of power among a broader array of state and civil society actors. To understand the contestation of gender politics we therefore need to examine the specific gendered interests of the state, progressive civil society allies, and conservative opponents, as well as their respective capacities to address these political concerns. In keeping with the dynamic nature of political opportunity structures, such interests and strategies are likely to evolve over the democratization process. Civil society—state relations tend to become less antagonistic, whereas the relative influence of civil society groups is shaped by their ability to adapt to the new democratic environment and capitalize on the shifting domestic and international political context (Doh, 2001).

One of the prominent aspects of the Korean shimin undong is its continual strength—in terms of its militancy, its protest spirit … The movement has been very successful at revitalizing itself in the face of new challenge … globalization, neo-liberalism, the Asian crisis.

Cho H., 2002 interview

Employers associations don’t support any particular group, regardless of whether they are religious or educational organization… Besides our interest in the economy, we don’t have any broader goals per....

Choi, 2002 interview