Page 43 - A Dissertation for Doctor of Philosophy
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developed since the 1960s. These spirits affected the cultural structure of contemporary Korean
society. These are the spirit of Capitalism, the spirit of Cultural Nationalism, and the spirit of
Postmodernism.
The Spirit of Capitalism
Capitalism, introduced to human history by the industrial revolution, changed the contour
of human history. Socio-economic changes of a society by the introduction of Capitalism
reshaped not only the lifestyle and values of an individual, but also the society as a corporate
entity. William Foe rightly says, “Capitalism is not just an economic theory of infusing profits
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into businesses to produce more goods. It also brings with it an ideology.” Capitalism brings
about de-humanization, pragmatism, and the development of technology aimed at increased
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efficiency. Korea is no exception.
Industrialization in Korea
Industrialization in Korea started in the last part of the nineteenth Century when she
opened her door to the Western world. It was, however, since the 1960s that magnanimous
economic development and the spirit of the Capitalism have flourished in Korean society. Since
the early 1960s, after series of political turmoil, the Park government, the military government of
Korea rushed economic development through a series of “Five-Year Plans.” Coinciding with
these plans were strenuous efforts to modernize villages under the banner of Saemaeul Undong
(the New Community Movement). National enthusiasm of “the development value” became
71 Foe, Mythmakers, 39.
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Ibid.
