National Unification and Popular Sovereignty
In: New left review: NLR, Heft 219, S. 3-13
Abstract
The parallels between the postwar histories of Germany and Korea, as well as certain analogies in the relationship between South and North Korea and between West and East Germany, make it seem desirable to examine whether Korea can learn something-and if so, what-from the example of Germany's unification. The present article, in examining this possibility, suggests that caution is in order, as the analogies that occur to us when we consider the postwar destinies of the two countries, both marked by a bipolar world order, tend to obscure from us a number of deeper structural differences. This is why we should be wary of rash extrapolations from the experiences of Germany. The article first considers the different starting points that existed or still exist for national unification in Germany and in Korea. Next considered is a problem that is very significant in Europe but perhaps in a different way in Asia: that is, the relationship between the national state and democracy. In the light of these considerations, it may be possible to learn something for a future reunification of Korea from Germany's experience of a rapid, if not over-hasty, process of unification. 3 References. T. K. Brown
Themen
North Korea, South Korea, International Relations, German Reunification, Federal Republic of Germany
Sprachen
Englisch
ISSN: 0028-6060
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