Evolution Korea
When it comes to the debate over evolution, Korean scientists aren't taking their chances. The Society for Textbook Revise has been fighting to eliminate Archaeopteryx, horses and other evolutionary icons from textbooks.
Confucian traditions with their emphasis on success in the world and high value of learning still dominates the culture of the country. But Korea is seeking an alternative model of development.
에볼루션 룰렛 of Iron Age cultures brought more sophisticated states to the Korean Peninsula, such as Goguryeo and Baekje. They all developed a unique culture that was influenced by the influence of their powerful neighbors and they also adopted aspects of Chinese culture, including Confucianism and Buddhism, although shamanism continued to be practiced.
Goguryeo, the first of the Korean kingdoms, was the first to impose their own form of government. It consolidated its power in the 1st century and established a king-centered ruling system by the beginning of the 2nd century. It expanded its territory into Manchuria and the northern part of the Peninsula with a series wars that drove the Han loyalists out of the region.
During this period, a regional confederation called Buyeo was created. Its founder Wang Geon was given the title of king, and his name was written down in the 13th-century Samguk yusa (Memorabilia of the Three Kingdoms). Buyeo became known as Goryeo and this is how the name Korea came to be. Goryeo was a thriving commercial state and also a place of learning. Its inhabitants cultivated crops and raised livestock like goats and sheep and they made furs from them as well. They performed masked dance dramas such as tallori and sandaenori. They also held a festival every year in December called Yeonggo.
The economy of Goryeo was boosted by brisk trade with other countries as well as the Song dynasty of China. Byeongnando was the main entry point to Gaeseong the capital city of Gaeseong. Traders came from Central Asia, Arabia and Southeast Asia. Silk and medicinal herbs were among the items they brought.
Around 8,000 BCE the Koreans began establishing permanent settlements and cultivating cereal crops. They also invented pottery and polished stone tools and began to organize themselves into clan societies. The Neolithic Age lasted until the 12th century BC. At this time, Gija, a Shang dynasty prince from China is believed to have introduced high-culture to Korea. Many Koreans believed, up until the 20th century that Gija and Dangun gave Korea their people and their basic culture.
Functions
Korea's old development paradigm that emphasized the importance of state-led capital accumulation and government intervention in industry and business, contributed to rapid economic growth that took it from one of the world's poorest economies to the ranks of OECD countries in three decades. The system was plagued by moral hazards and outright corruption. It was therefore not sustainable in a world economy characterized by liberalization, trade and the process of democratization.
The current crisis has revealed the weaknesses of the current model, and it is expected that a new model will replace it. The chapters 3 and 4 examine the genesis of Korea's state and business risk partnership and demonstrate how the emergence economic actors who had an interest in preserving this system prevented Korea from making fundamental changes. These chapters, which are focused on corporate governance and financial resources allocation, offer a comprehensive analysis of the root reasons for this crisis, and suggest strategies to proceed with reforms.
Chapter 5 explores the possible paths that Korea's evolving development paradigm during the post-crisis time frame, examining both the legacies of the past as well as new developments triggered by the IT revolution and globalization. It also focuses on how these changes will affect Korea's political and social structures.
A significant finding is that a variety of emerging trends are altering the nature of power in Korea, and it is these developments that will determine the course of the future of the country. In spite of the fact that political participation in Korea is still extremely limited new forms of democracy are emerging that bypass political parties and challenge them, thereby transforming the country's democratic system.
Another important finding is that the power of the Korean elite is not as powerful as it was in the past, and that a large segment of society is feeling of disconnection from the ruling class. This fact points to the need to work harder in the field of civic education and participation, as well as for new models of power sharing. The chapter concludes that the success or failure of Korea's development paradigm will depend on how well these new ideas can be incorporated into a willingness to make hard decisions.
Benefits
South Korea has the ninth largest economy in the world and the sixth fastest-growing. It has a substantial and growing middle class, and a robust research and development base that is driving innovation. The government has also recently increased its investment in infrastructure projects, to boost economic growth as well as to promote social equity.
In 2008, Lee Myung Bak's administration introduced five indicators of leadership in an effort to establish an economic system that was focused on changes and practicality. The administration made efforts to streamline government administration and privatize public corporations for greater efficiency, and overhaul administrative regulations.
Since the conclusion of the Cold War, South Korea has been working on a plan of economic integration with the rest of the region and beyond. Exports of high-tech consumer electronics and advanced manufacturing technologies have become an important source of income. Additionally the government has been encouraging the Saemaeul Undong (New Community Movement) initiative, which is transforming the nation from a rural society to one that is focused on manufacturing.
The country also enjoys a high standard of living, and provides various benefits to employees, such as maternity leave and job security. Employers are also required to purchase to accident insurance, which provides payments for work-related illnesses or injuries. In addition, it is common for companies to provide private medical insurance that provides insurance for illnesses that are not covered by the National Health Insurance.
As a result, South Korea has been considered a model of success for many of the developing nations around the globe. The global financial crisis of 1997 which swept through Asia has challenged this perception. The crisis challenged the notion about Asia's miracle economies and resulted in a radical rethinking of the role played by the state in managing the risky private sector economic activities.
It appears that Korea's destiny is not certain in the aftermath of these changes. A new generation of leaders have embraced the image as an "strong leader" and are beginning to experiment with market-oriented policies. A strong power base in the domestic arena makes it difficult to implement any radical change.
Disadvantages
The reemergence and resurgence of creationists is a major obstacle to Korean science's efforts in educating the public about evolution. The majority of Koreans are in favor of teaching students about evolution however a small group headed by Bun-Sam Lim (the head of the Society for Textbook Revise, STR) is advocating for the removal of it from textbooks. STR believes that teaching evolution promotes "atheist materialism" and portrays an "unhopeful" perspective for students, which could cause students to lose faith in humanity.
The reasons behind this anti-evolution sentiment are complex and varied. Some researchers suggest that it is due to religious belief, while others point to an increasing prevalence of anti-intellectualism, which has been exacerbated by growing political elite fragmentation along ideologies, regions, class, and gender. Additionally the one-sidedness of the government, bolstered by powerful conservative business interests and think tanks, aggravates public distrust of the scientific community.
Ultimately, the widespread weaknesses identified in this study highlight an urgent need for targeted policy interventions to preemptively reduce the risks. As Seoul continues to work towards becoming a more cohesive urban landscape, these insights can be used to inspire the creation of a united push for more inclusion in its policies.
In the case of the COVID-19 pandemic, identifying vulnerable neighborhoods and their occupants is essential to devise specific, empathetic policy measures to ensure their security and well-being. The significant impact of COVID-19 on Jjokbangs, for example, is a sign of socio-economic inequality that can compound vulnerability to both natural and man-made catastrophes.
To overcome this, South Korea needs a more inclusive civil society that brings all communities together to tackle the city's most pressing challenges. This requires a fundamental shift in the structure and power of the institution of politics. Currently, the Blue House is able to mobilize a huge bureaucracy as well as influence the political power of the Supreme Prosecutor's Office and intelligence bureau, which all are not subject to oversight by the parliamentary bodies or independent inspection agencies. This gives the president tremendous leverage to impose his or her vision on the rest of the country. This is a recipe that could lead to polarization and stagnation of the country.