Democracy, Inequality and Corruption: Korea, Taiwan and the Philippines Compared

In this comparative, historical survey of three East Asian democracies, Jong-sung You explores the correlation between inequality and corruption in the countries of South Korea, Taiwan and the Philippines. Drawing on a wealth of rich empirical research, he illustrates the ways in which economic inequality can undermine democratic accountability, thereby increasing the risk of clientelism and capture. Transcending the scope of corruption research beyond economic growth, this book surveys why some countries, like the Philippines, have failed to curb corruption and develop, whilst others such as South Korea and Taiwan have been more successful. Taking into account factors such as the success and failure of land reform, variations in social structure, and industrial policy, Jong-sung You provides a sound example of how comparative analysis can be employed to identify causal direction and mechanisms in political science.

Author: Jong-Sung You
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Published: 09/01/2016
Pages: 308
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.91lbs
Size: 9.00h x 6.00w x 0.65d
ISBN: 9781107435322

About the Author
You, Jong-Sung: - Jong-Sung You is Senior Lecturer at the Department of Political and Social Change, School of International, Political and Strategic Studies, ANU College of Asia and the Pacific, the Australian National University. His research has addressed the relationships between inequality, corruption and social trust, employing both cross-national quantitative studies and (comparative) case studies of Korea and East Asia. His research also attempts to provide new explanations for South Korea's political and economic development. His new research agenda includes freedom of expression and election campaign regulations in Korea and East Asia. His work has appeared in the American Sociological Review, Political Psychology, the Journal of East Asian Studies, and Trends and Prospects, and he has authored book chapters including a chapter on Korean development in a volume edited by Douglas North et al. He holds an MPA and PhD in public policy from Harvard University and a BA from Seoul National University. Before entering an academic career, he worked in the fields of democratization and social justice in South Korea. He has also worked for the Citizens' Coalition for Economic Justice as Director of Policy Research and later as General Secretary.