ABSTRACT
The main preoccupation of the literature on the East Asian states is with developmental states. In this literature, East Asian states are almost uniformly viewed as strong, autonomous, and highly effective in guiding the economic process with consistent developmental objectives. The aim of this chapter is to demonstrate that this generalized view hides important weaknesses and contradictions in state strength by looking closely at the evolution of state-labor relations in South Korea. The South Korean state is well known for its strength and autonomy from societal forces and for the strong interventionist role it has played over the past four decades of rapid economic growth. The South Korean state is particularly noted for its exceptional ability to discipline both capital and labor and to have them carry out state-devised developmental goals efficiently with little resistance.1 State power in South Korea is thus viewed as not only strong and autonomous but also highly rational and proficient in devising developmental policies.
