Evolution Korea

South Korea's democracy is susceptible to populist inclinations. However, it is more stable than one would expect.

The country is in search of an alternative development model. A Confucian culture that values respect for ancestors and gendered family relations continues to influence society. There are indications of a secularist cultural trend forming.

Origins

In the early days the ancestors of modern Koreans were capable of surviving by hunting and gathering wild food. About 10,000 years ago, they began to cultivate millet, beans and other crops. They also raised livestock, and also made furs. They created tribal states in Manchuria and later on the Korean peninsula. They also developed a metalworking industry, producing bronze tools, and later iron ones. They traded with other states and introduced Celadon paper making, block printing art styles, and written language to Japan.

Gojoseon was founded in 2333 BCE on the southern peninsula. The state embraced Chinese culture that included Confucian Philosophy and Buddhism. In this period, the people of Buyeo became part of Gojoseon. Gojoseon had a hierarchical structure that included a monarch as well as senior officials were drawn from the landed aristocracy while the rest of the population was peasants. The state extracted taxes from these citizens and sometimes required them to serve in the army or participate in projects of the government, like building fortifications.

Onjo, a prince from Goguryeo who was also the son of Jumong the founder of Goguryeo, founded the state of Baekje at the close of the period. The new kingdom grew into the southwest region of the peninsula, and clashed against the Goguryeo commanderies and China's in the region. Baekje introduced elements of Confucian thought into its state beliefs and made the male-centric concept of filiopiety as a law in 1390 CE. Under the cover of filiopiety fathers were responsible to their families. They must be obedient to everyone and respected even by their children and grandchildren.

Goryeo, which would rule from 918 until 1392 CE introduced the world to the Hangul alphabet that was based on the shapes formed by the mouth when it was pronounced. This greatly improved communication and led to a rise in the writing of Buddhist text. Woodblock printing and movable metal type were also refined. It was at this time that the Samguk sagi or 'History of the Three Kingdoms' was first written in 1145 CE.

The evolution of Korea

The Korean peninsula has been habitable since Neolithic times and early evidence of human settlements are evident in the form graves lined with stones, with precious items such as amazonite jewellery being buried alongside the dead. Megalithic structures, referred to as dolmens, constructed from huge single stones, are common throughout the country.

In the first part of the 1st millennium BCE, Gojoseon established itself as the first recognisable political state. The peninsula was later under the control of a variety of states during the Three Kingdoms Period (57 BC-635 CE) which included Baekje and Goguryeo. In addition, the northern region of the peninsula was ruled by the Balhae kingdom, which most historians do not believe to be a valid Korean state.

Following the Three Kingdoms, several smaller states emerged during the Proto-Three Kingdoms period, or Several States Period (yeolgugsidae). Among them, Baekje was the most powerful however, its dynasty ended when Goguryeo was defeated in 676 CE and left the southern provinces of Manchuria and the western region around Hwanghae Bay, while eastern Buyeo and the Gaya confederacy prospered for a period of time.

The Unified Silla kingdom then emerged and the three kingdoms began to cooperate to expand their territory. Silla, with the help of the Chinese, eventually conquered and united the peninsula in 935.

As Korea is entering the post-crisis phase its development model appears to be changing. Those who are horrified by the costs of the old systems advocate a comprehensive program of liberalization of capital, labor and product markets. On the other hand, supporters of the old system want to preserve it by leveraging nationalist sentiments and inflating fears of job loss.

Academic and policy analysts remain in a tense debate about the extent to which these two trends are driving Koreas evolution towards a new model of economic governance. This article assesses developments to date by analyzing five phases of Korea's political development including illiberal democracy (1945-60), democratic authoritarianism (1961-72), authoritarian exceptionalism (1972-87), democratic paternalism (1987-2001) and democratic participation (2002 to present). This article also highlights important factors that appear to be shaping these processes.

Creationism in Korea

In South Korea, 26 percent of the population is Christian. Creationists have made strides in promoting their beliefs to this group. A 2009 survey showed that nearly one-third of respondents did not believe in evolution. Of those, 41% said there was not enough scientific evidence to support the theory