Nation Building in South Korea

Koreans, Americans, and the Making of a Democracy

Nonfiction, History, Asian, Korea, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science, International, International Relations, Americas, United States, 20th Century
Cover of the book Nation Building in South Korea by Gregg A. Brazinsky, The University of North Carolina Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Gregg A. Brazinsky ISBN: 9780807867792
Publisher: The University of North Carolina Press Publication: November 20, 2009
Imprint: The University of North Carolina Press Language: English
Author: Gregg A. Brazinsky
ISBN: 9780807867792
Publisher: The University of North Carolina Press
Publication: November 20, 2009
Imprint: The University of North Carolina Press
Language: English

In this ambitious and innovative study Gregg Brazinsky examines American nation building in South Korea during the Cold War. Marshaling a vast array of new American and Korean sources, he explains why South Korea was one of the few postcolonial nations that achieved rapid economic development and democratization by the end of the twentieth century. Brazinsky contends that a distinctive combination of American initiatives and Korean agency enabled South Korea's stunning transformation. On one hand, Americans supported the emergence of a developmental autocracy that spurred economic growth in a highly authoritarian manner. On the other hand, Americans sought to encourage democratization from the bottom up by fashioning new institutions and promoting a dialogue about modernization and development.

Expanding the framework of traditional diplomatic history, Brazinsky examines not only state-to-state relations, but also the social and cultural interactions between Americans and South Koreans. He shows how Koreans adapted, resisted, and transformed American influence and promoted socioeconomic change that suited their own aspirations. Ultimately, Brazinsky argues, Koreans' capacity to tailor American institutions and ideas to their own purposes was the most important factor in the making of a democratic South Korea.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

In this ambitious and innovative study Gregg Brazinsky examines American nation building in South Korea during the Cold War. Marshaling a vast array of new American and Korean sources, he explains why South Korea was one of the few postcolonial nations that achieved rapid economic development and democratization by the end of the twentieth century. Brazinsky contends that a distinctive combination of American initiatives and Korean agency enabled South Korea's stunning transformation. On one hand, Americans supported the emergence of a developmental autocracy that spurred economic growth in a highly authoritarian manner. On the other hand, Americans sought to encourage democratization from the bottom up by fashioning new institutions and promoting a dialogue about modernization and development.

Expanding the framework of traditional diplomatic history, Brazinsky examines not only state-to-state relations, but also the social and cultural interactions between Americans and South Koreans. He shows how Koreans adapted, resisted, and transformed American influence and promoted socioeconomic change that suited their own aspirations. Ultimately, Brazinsky argues, Koreans' capacity to tailor American institutions and ideas to their own purposes was the most important factor in the making of a democratic South Korea.

More books from The University of North Carolina Press

Cover of the book The Civil War in the West by Gregg A. Brazinsky
Cover of the book The New Encyclopedia of Southern Culture by Gregg A. Brazinsky
Cover of the book Transforming the Appalachian Countryside by Gregg A. Brazinsky
Cover of the book William Lowndes Yancey and the Coming of the Civil War by Gregg A. Brazinsky
Cover of the book On Becoming Cuban by Gregg A. Brazinsky
Cover of the book The Jeanes Teacher in the United States, 1908-1933 by Gregg A. Brazinsky
Cover of the book Synthetic Socialism by Gregg A. Brazinsky
Cover of the book To the Webster-Ashburton Treaty by Gregg A. Brazinsky
Cover of the book Tradition, Treme, and the New Orleans Renaissance: Lolis Eric Elie interviewed by Sara B. Franklin by Gregg A. Brazinsky
Cover of the book The Paradox of Tar Heel Politics by Gregg A. Brazinsky
Cover of the book The Short Life of Free Georgia by Gregg A. Brazinsky
Cover of the book Forsyth by Gregg A. Brazinsky
Cover of the book Chicken by Gregg A. Brazinsky
Cover of the book Crescent City Girls by Gregg A. Brazinsky
Cover of the book Sociology and Scientism by Gregg A. Brazinsky
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy