The developmental welfare state in South Korea under globalization

Abstract

This paper analyzes the expansion of social policies in South Korea during
the context of globalization, by linking two theoretical approaches: social investment and
the New Developmental State. Applying the case study method, I endorse the hypothesis of
complementarily between the welfare state and the developmental state. The article shows
that between the 1990s and the 2010s, South Korea expanded all sectors of social policies
analyzed. Beyond the expansion of passive policies, active policies (including education)
were reshaped in an integrated manner with the industrial policy to promote innovation,
pursuing the transition to the knowledge-based society; also the family policy became one of
the most generous among OECD countries.

JEL Classification: H51; H52; H53; H75; O15; P1.