Shin Jang-seop: Economic democratization, the key topic of a distorted era

Economic democratization is a buzzword of a distorted era. This is because it merely divides society without offering any constructive alternatives for the betterment of Korean society. It is also highly likely to exacerbate the very "economic polarization" touted as a solution. The term "economic democratization" must be banished from political and policy discourse. The report card for the experiment in economic democratization is already in. It receives failing grades in growth, employment, and distribution. Even in the United States, which Korea used as a model, economic democratization has failed miserably in terms of distribution and employment. Nevertheless, domestically, only ahistorical and Galapagos-like "claims" for economic democratization are repeated. This book was written with the hope that we will no longer be swept up in unproductive arguments, but instead establish a forum for substantive and constructive discussion on how to improve the issues of growth, employment, and distribution in the Korean economy. To create constructive alternatives, I propose starting from a minimum common denominator that people across the diverse ideological spectrum can agree upon. That is to foster the middle class. Korea has a history of achieving an "economic miracle" even when everyone said it was trapped in a "vicious cycle of poverty." We are now in a much better position than we were then. If we effectively pool our collective wisdom and capabilities in a constructive direction, there is no reason why we cannot restore production vitality and improve distribution issues.

Korean title: 경제민주화 일그러진 시대의 화두

Korean author: 신장섭

Korean publisher: 나남

ISBN-13: 9788930088909