STUDY GUIDE Emerging Democracies in Northeast Asia Emerging Democracy in Northeast Asia Korea Japan and Taiwan Introduction Comparative politics The study of political phenomena that occur predominantly w in countries c f International politics is the study of political phenomena that occur predominantly Why do we concern Northeast Asia Economic importance World economy powers i e China Japan 4 Asian Tigers Korea Taiwan Singapore Hong Kong Political military importance Possibility of military conflicts i e N Korea v S Korea China v Taiwan Japans militarizing China s Challenge to U S A hegemony WMD issue of N Korea Studying Asia Europe is much familiar to most of North Americans languages political heritage and Eurocentric educational systems Cultural Heritage Confucianism Confucianism is an ancient Chinese ethical philisophical system originally developed from the teachings of the early Chinese philosopher Confucious Kong Fuzi Master Kung It spread to Korea and Japan and into the part of the Indochinese peninsula It focuses on human mortality and good deeds It has had tremendous influence on the culture and history of East Asia Mainland China Japan Korea Taiwan Singapore Vietnam and so forth Loyalty to the group A strong ID as members of groups and the expectation that people will subordinate their individual interests to those of the collective e g Whats good for my family my compan my country is good for me Hierarchy Acceptance of a paternalist pattern of authority and a social order based on superior inferior rankings in human relationships from husband wife to emperor subject The world s only divided country U S S R USA occupation after 1945 Korean War armistice 1950 1953 b w North 37 800 square miles e g similar to Kentucky 39 732 South Korea square miles The Korean peninsular Historically Korean peninsular was viewed as a spring board from maritime powers i e Japan Korea Western powers and as a stepping stone from continental powers i e China Russia Korea Climate and Natural resources Intersection point of continental maritime climates 4 Distinct Seasons Monsoon Traditionally Agrarian culture now highly industrialized Poorly endowed w natural resources imports most of energy vulnerable external shocks i e oil shocks Korea Social setting No ethnic variety social groups can be classified into three categories blood tie hyulyonjipdan family and kinship Traditional value Filial piety and mutual help are important features characterizing Korean family They bind family members together local ties Jiyoujipdan regional group Most controversial element Cities provinces of born bind people Local ties function as the most important predictor of voting behavior Interest groups 2 types of interest groups Pro Gov Anti Gov Social stratification Traditional Confucian feudal order hierarchal society The influence of military legacy of military government Big business as a ruling class Due to rapid economic growth Urbanization The importance of education for upward mobility Unique Social Group School Tie Korea Political culture Communitarian identity Some racial history culture linguistic legacies propel a strong social bond generally Compliance with authority acceptance of a hierarchical social order Influence of Confucianism Japanese Rule Experience of Authoritarian regimes Factionalism Competition among factions under national unity blood tie local tie school tie Formalism face saving Power is necessary but not sufficient for good governance People care about legitimacy and reputation Korea Four legacies which characterize Korean politics Narrow ideological spectrum Communism v Anti Communism Authoritarianism Confucian culture forced conformity to Japanese colonial provided a base of authoritarian value authoritarian rule Institutionally democratized in 1987 Bureaucratic state Relatively strong executive branch over legislative judiciary branched s due to institutional design strong presidential power Authoritarian legacy Revolution from above Traditionally Korean studies focuses on political leadership The role of government in economic development period Taiwan Nether an independent state nor areas of special sovereignty CIA s World Fact book The Republic of China Nationalist China Free China The republic of China on Taiwan The Republic of Taiwan Chinese Taipei One China v Independent Country Militarized economically liberalized Taiwan 13 814 square miles larger than Maryland smaller than West Virginia Climate and Natural resources Sub tropical 21 5 25 5 north latitude i e north Cuba hot humid summer and mild winter monsoon season abundant rains Mountains covers 2 3 of surface one of the densely populated places in the world Scarce natural resources Imports most of energy developing human talent Taiwan Population and Ethnic Groups 23 million highly dense 99 7 of people reside on the island of Taiwan Consists of four groups the Aborigines two Taiwanese Chinese and Mainland Chinese The Aborigines the original inhabitants of the island 2 2 groups of early Chinese migrants 84 Mainlanders after 1949 Nationalist Chinese people 14 Taiwan Culture Cultural variety Chinese origins and Aboriginal customs mixed w other cultures Early Western culture through missionaries Japanese culture during Japan s rule of Taiwan Elite culture after 1949 Government promoted cultural changes for political reasons Emphasizing traditional Chinese culture Eradicating Japanese culture anti soviet and anti communist themes Westernized w economic development Taiwan Social structure and ethnic issues The Aborigines tribal culture inferior socioeconomic status Mainland Chinese entered w Nationalist Chinese after 1949 filled most of official positions On average higher socioeconomic status than other groups Taiwanese accumulate wealth during economic development increase their socioeconomic status Taiwan s rapid economic growth and prosperity have diminished ethnic barrier Emerging Democracy in Northeast Asia Korea Japan and Taiwan Japan Imperialism militarized country late19th mid 20th Abandon of military after WWII World s economic power 3rd in GDP highly developed country The only G8 member in Asia Islands nation consists of four principal islands Hokkaido Honshu Shikoku and Kyushu Ocean serves as a protective moat safe from invasions socially isolated Japan miles 145 730 square miles Montana 147 042 square Terrain Climate and Natural resources 80 of mountains only 16 is arable one of highest food prices in the world