‘Democracy after Democratization,’ a book criticizing the conservative democracy in South Korea, is to be debated today, November 17, at Tehran’s Baharan Institute of Cultural Studies.
In his book, author and political scientist Jang-jip Choi reflects on the Korean experience in implementing democracy.
Recently translated into Persian by translator of English, Japanese and Korean works Saeed Reza Ettehadi, the Persian edition has been released by Nashr-No publication, Mehr News Agency reported.
The debate starts at 5 pm and translator Ettehadi, as well as specialist and researcher in regional studies Mohammad Mousa Kazemi and expert in international relations Qasem Taqvaeepour, will participate.
The institute is located at No. 21, Nourbakhsh Alley, north of Zartosht Street, Valiasr Avenue.
Hopes Not Met
The blurb of the book notes that despite half a century of democracy in South Korea, the Korean people’s high hopes for popular governance have not been met. There is widespread skepticism about what Korea’s implementation of democracy has brought to the nation and whether it will be able to respond effectively in the future to the demands of an evolving society and world.
What accounts for the conservative complacency of Korea’s democratic system? Why do democratic administrations in Korea seem so incompetent? Do political parties legitimately represent the voice of civil society in legislating and policymaking on issues with a direct impact on the freedom and welfare of the people?
The renowned Korean author endeavors to answer the questions in his work as he examines the origins, structure, and conflicts of conservative democracy in South Korea as well as democratization’s impact on the state, economy, and civil society.
Choi, 72, is emeritus professor of political science at Korea University, author of numerous books and scholarly articles, and former director of the Asiatic Research Institute at Korea University.
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