Suchergebnisse

Elections at best reflect three dimensions of formal democracy—representation in terms of representing the political will of the people; integration in terms of social classes and groups largely done through political parties, which represents the stabilising aspect of democracy; and decisions generated from stable majorities through coalitions or a single party to ensure "majorities" within parliaments and their governability. In many societies democracy can be and has been subverted in all three dimensions. Electoral results and their reflections on democracy, at best, can be tendential statements of what the results reveal.

The growing importance of the Korean economy in the global arena and the spread of the so-called 'Korean wave' in Asia mean there is an increasing desire to understand contemporary Korean Society. To this end, this book provides a critical and progressive analysis of the diverse issues that impact on and shape contemporary Korean society at both local and national levels. The contributors address issues and movements which include:The state and regime Human rights Gender Civil society and social movements Culture Religion Domestic and migrant labour WelfareThe chapters in this volume provide a.