External Power Takeoff from South Korea (The Impact of the United States on South Korea's Development, 1945-1965)

Author: Dong Xiangrong
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-11-01
Features: Rostow's classic modernization theory had a significant and direct impact on the development process of South Korea. Rostow himself was quite proud of this, often referring to the South Koreans as "take-off boys" when giving speeches in South Korea or meeting South Korean business leaders in the United States. After Park Chung-hee came to power, South Korea further implemented the classic modernization theory. Around this time, dependency theory emerged, leading to a trend in academia to criticize the classic modernization theory, which is truly a pity. How did South Korea take off after World War II? What changes occurred in its social structure, political system, and economic system? What did the United States do at key points in South Korea's development? What conflicts and contradictions exist between South Korea and the United States? How has South Korea pursued its national interests in its with the United States?