The State, Civil Society and Neoliberalism since the Korean Economic Crisis

By analysing the power of the Korean state vis-à-vis civil society since the economic crisis of the late 1990s, this article tests the assumption that neo-liberalism inevitably detracts from state strength. The state has retained its influential position as economic manager. Rather than being a disempowering force, neo-liberal reform was a means by which the Korean state enhanced its position in respect to civil society. The state presented itself as an agent capable of resolving long-standing economic problems, and of defending law and order. We conclude that for some states, neo-liberalism is an opportunity to remain a weighty economic actor, and former developmental states may be particularly adept at co-opting elements of civil society into governing alliances.