A Comparative Study On The Development Of Civil Military Relations In The Process Of Democratization In South Korea And Taiwan Until 2008
Abstract
This thesis compares the changes of civilmilitary relations during the democratization process in South Korea and Taiwan until 2008. It applies Narcis Serras theory of military reform and civilmilitary relations. In The Military Transition: Democratic Reform of the Armed Forces, Serra argues changes in civilmilitary relations occur along three axes: military professionalism, civilian control of the military, and tension between civilians and the military. This analysis shows that military professionalism and the civilian control of the military improved in both countries during the democratization process, but the degree of improvement in South Korea was higher than in Taiwan. Furthermore, the tension between the civilians and the military in Taiwan was higher than that of South Korea. The difference in civilmilitary relations between the two countries is attributed to different paths of democratization. In Taiwan, the democratization movement was initially less influential than in South Korea. Not only was the Taiwanese military more reluctant to reform, but also social pressure demanding reform was comparatively weak. In South Korea, the democratization movement was more forceful due to regular mass mobilization, whilethe military was more responsive to social pressures.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 2017
- Accession Number
- AD1053384
Entities
People
- Sangbum Nam
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School