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Open Access Thesis

Keywords

Automobile industry and trade--Korea (South); Industries--Korea (South); Automobile industry and trade; Economic history; Industries; Developing countries--Economic conditions; Developing countries; Korea (South);

Abstract

The objective of this research is to analyze the development of the Korean industrialization process. The question posed herein specifically involves the industrialization process in Korean society with regard to dependent development in the Third World. This research will elucidate major reasons for Korean economic development process by illustrating several different theoretical perspectives which center on Third World industrialization process. The review of literature is presented to outline the complex process of Third World industrialization by using seven different perspectives which try to explain the pattern of the uneven development of industry in the Third World. The methods used to study this topic will parallel the methods used by Max Weber in studying 'the rise of capitalism'. In parallel with Max Weber's analysis of the rise of capitalism, I summarized four major factors explaining the industrialization process in South Korea, and in the Third World more generally. These are (a) the role of state, (b) the national environments, (c) the function of transnational corporations with in the international situation, (d) and the firms' own strategies for competition. These four factors can be applied to analyzing economic development process in South Korea. In the analysis section, this research displays the national environment and the role of the state, the international situation and the function of transnational corporations, institutional arrangement and companies' strategies, and economic performance of the South Korean industrialization process according to seven different theories considered in the literature review section. As most theories indicated, the low-cost labor force is a key factor for economic development, particularly labor intensive industries. In general, South Korea has had a highly disciplined and hard-working labor force which has played the most crucial role in the development of the Korean industrialization process, in spite of their low wage and coarse working environments. One important characteristic of the role of the state in South Korea was an oppressive military-authoritarian regime which legitimized its authority by export-led policies and economic growth. Future research can study the political, economic, and social condition of specific countries in the historical context. Also, historical-comparative study among the Third World countries will be useful to understand the industrialization process in the world-capitalist economy.

Year of Submission

1993

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Department

Department of Sociology and Anthropology

First Advisor

Jerry Stockdale

Second Advisor

Ronald Roberts

Third Advisor

Thomas Fogarty

Comments

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Date Original

1993

Object Description

1 PDF file (74 leaves)

Language

en

File Format

application/pdf

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