The Failure of Democracy in South Korea

The Failure of Democracy in South Korea explores the political instability and collapse of South Korea’s Second Republic following a military coup in 1961. This book analyzes the root causes of the failure of democratic governance in a nation undergoing rapid social and political changes. The study examines various perspectives on why the government led by Prime Minister Chang Myôn faltered, including critiques of his leadership, the flawed constitutional structure, and the larger social and ideological divisions within South Korean society. The author suggests that the inability of South Korea to sustain democratic institutions was influenced by acute ideological polarization, with significant divides between anti-Syngman Rhee revolutionaries and pro-Rhee conservatives, as well as between radical and conservative factions within the country. These divisions made political cooperation and stability nearly impossible, leading to the ultimate collapse of the democratic experiment.

The book draws on various theories of political development and democracy, suggesting that a combination of factors—including the centralization of political power, a lack of pluralistic social structures, and the absence of a democratic political culture—contributed to the failure. The study also highlights the challenges faced by developing nations, where political decay can occur when ideological conflict, especially between political elites, prevents effective governance. By focusing on South Korea's specific historical and social context, the book provides a detailed sectoral analysis, examining the roles of key political groups like the military, students, and business leaders. The insights offered in this work are not only pertinent to understanding South Korea’s political history but also offer valuable lessons for other nations struggling with the challenges of implementing stable democracy in the face of deep political and social divisions.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1974.