Influence of Confucianism on Economic Development Against South Korea
By Meisarah Marsa, S.Sos - Januari 21, 2014
Influence
of Confucianism on Economic Development Against South Korea
Confucianism is a philosophy of
moral teachings that have been ingrained in public life in South
Korea. There are 5 moral values embodied in Confucianism: ren (benevolence),
yi (righteousness), li (propriety), zhi (wisdom), and xin (faithfulness) (Wenhuai
Chai Yuan and Xu, 2006: 368). The Confucian elements affects lifestyle and
mindset of the people of South Korea.
Today, Confucianism is no longer the confidence of the
majority. This is due to the diversity of Korean public
trust. However, the principal values of Confucianism is still a strong
influence in the hierarchy system, organization, administration, and economics
to the present, despite the influence of the other faith values such as
Protestantism and Catholicism brought by Western capitalism etc. Particularly
in the economic field, Confucianism contributes greatly to the advancement of
the industry, thought patterns, and economic development of South Korean
society. Due to Confucian respect for education, honesty, ethics and
morality, loyalty, and truth (Kwon, 2002: 56).
Contribution of Confucianism to the
progress of South Korea economy can be seen from several aspects:
1.
Education aspect
Education
is an important point for the people of South Korea. In fact, Korean
people are willing to sacrifice their wealth for the sake of
education. They regarded it as an investment for the
progress. Curriculum and hours of education continues to be
improved. There is a life motto South Korean society that affects their
morale in achieving education is "When others are sleeping, you
have to get up. When people wake up, you have to walk. When others walk, you
have to run and when everyone else is running, you have to fly". This
makes the quality of human resources in South Korea is very good.
2.
Loyalty and persistence aspect
Korean
people do sacrifice themselves for the sake of improving the family and state
welfare. They are diligent and disciplined. Principle 'Inhwa' makes Korean
people remain faithful to the family, state, and enterprises. In that case,
South Korean society implements the five principles in maintaining loyalty that
are : the relationship between father and child, the relationship between
the older brother and younger brother, the relationship between husband and
wife, the relationship between friends that younger age with the older, the
relationship between the king (ruler) and his people.
3.
Morality aspect
South
Korean society continue to provide added value to customers by always doing
continuous innovation. They are very hardworking and respect for others. That
is what makes Korean society has a passion for developing.
The principles of Confucianism
affects the people of South Korea. They have highly qualified especially towards economic progress. This
can be seen by the increasing role of civil society to take part in the
economic and social sectors. The role of civil society gives positive impact on
economic growth, such as opening market to foreign investment by South Korean .
So, in the 1960s, South Korea is able to join the Newly industrialized
economies (NIEs) as one of the countries that have a high economic surge in
the short period. The methods of an export-oriented policy is one of the
important factors of this economic rise too. During the administration of
President Park Chung-Hee, improved economic policy through the export sector
was by increased the role of corporate and civil society of south korea.
So, with a superior work ethic, quality of human resources, and
good government policy by using the principles of Confucianism on the economy
of South Korea increased dramatically until now. In addition, South Korean
society also cares about the country, they buy the products of their country.
After analyzing the factors behind the economic rise of South
Korea, we can conclude that the traditional values of Confucianism were present
largely through the Korean companies and in the personalities of Koreans. Confucianism
permeated throughout Korea and impacted the minds and the societal structure of
Koreans. Bringing about a sense of loyalty and kinship, these relational
characteristics created cohesiveness, catalyst, and a superhuman ambition for
success. And then, the new Confucian ethics fused with the capitalistic system
of Protestant and Catholic ethics and the intense ambition of a nation's
success of Confucianism, Became the cause behind the success of South Korea.
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