Korean Workers and Neoliberal GlobalizationOne of the most remarkable aspects of South Korea's transition from impoverished post-colonial nation to fully-fledged industrialized democracy has been the growth of its independent and dynamic labour movement. Korean Workers and Neoliberal Globalisation examines current trends and transformations within the Korean labour movement since the 1990s. It has been a common assumption that the 'third wave' of democratisation, the end of the Cold War, and the spread of neoliberal globalisation in the latter part of the 20th century have helped to create an environment in which organised labour is better placed to overcome bureaucratic national unionism and transform itself into a potential counter-globalisation movement. However, Kevin Gray argues that despite the apparent continued phenomena of labour militancy and the rhetoric of anti-neoliberalism, the mainstream independent labour movement in Korea has become increasingly institutionalised and bureaucratised into the new capitalist democracy. This process is demonstrated by the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions' experience of participation in various forms of policy making forums. Gray suggests that as a result, the KCTU has failed to mount an effective challenge against processes of neoliberal restructuring and concomitant social polarisation. The Korean experience provides an excellent case study for understanding the relationship between organised labour and globalisation. Korean Workers and Neoliberal Globalisation will appeal to students and scholars of Korean studies and International Political Economy, as well as Asian politics and economics. |
From inside the book
Results 1-3 of 17
... FKTU . Given the more conciliatory nature of the FKTU , the KCTU has also commonly come to be viewed as being the ' militant ' national centre . The concept of militancy in itself , how- ever , explains little in terms of the ...
... FKTU . By seeking to keep inflation low , revive the economy , and at the same time , restore legit- imacy to the FKTU , the government persuaded the Korean Employers ' Federation ( KEF ) and the FKTU to adopt a ' freely arrived at ...
... FKTU allied itself with ' middle - class NGOs ' such as the Citizens ' Com- mittee for Economic Justice ( CCEJ ) as well as the ultra - conservative Grand National Party in calling for the separate operation of the fund to prevent the ...
Contents
Neoliberal globalization labour and resistance | 12 |
Globalization crisis and the entrenchment | 31 |
The rise and fall of militant labour unionism in Korea | 52 |
Copyright | |
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