Collective Memory and Formation of the “Unconscious” Political Generation: Focusing on the Former Period Baby Boomers in Korea

This study aims to show how the collective memories of industrialization and dictatorship Korean baby boomers experienced in the formative period of political socialization have unconscious effect on Korea's political process. Research findings include: First, baby boomers have preferences for...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Development and society 2015, 44(1), , pp.77-116
Main Authors: Ma, Kyoung Hee, Kim, Hye-Kyung
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Age groups
Attitudes
Baby Boom Generation
Baby boomers
Civil society
Collective Memory
Conservatism
Dictators
Dictatorship
Economic Development
Economic growth
Gender and Generation Politics in South Korea
Identity
Industrial development
Industrialization
Memory
Parks
Political candidates
Political elections
Political Parties
Political Socialization
Presidential elections
Presidents
Social activism
Social change
Social Movements
Socialization
Sociology
South Korea
Values
Voting
사회학
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Summary:This study aims to show how the collective memories of industrialization and dictatorship Korean baby boomers experienced in the formative period of political socialization have unconscious effect on Korea's political process. Research findings include: First, baby boomers have preferences for strong leaders-moderate civil society relationship. This is in line with the positive collective memory of President Park Chung Hee, who led industrialization and remarkable economic growth based on his authoritarian rule. Second, political choice of baby boomers in their lifetime voting since 1987 manifested a regional cleavage between Honam and non-Honam. This shows the unconscious effect of their sense of belonging to a political party and regional identity, formed according to the division into Honam and non-Honam regions. Third, baby boomers from non-Honam attacked progressive or critical political parties and social forces in a manner similar to the way President Park Chung Hee ruled using anticommunism to justify violence and oppression against political opposition forces. The above discussions reveal the need to consider not just political generation as a social movement force, but also the “unconscious” political generation that influences political process by their political values and faith.
ISSN:1598-8074
2671-4574
2671-8200
DOI:10.21588/dns.2015.44.1.004