The Origins of Developmental State and Predatory State : A Comparative Case Study of South Korea and the Philippines (2022.03)
- Author : SHIN, Jae Hyeok
- Publication : Korean Political Science Review
- Publisher : The Korean Political Science Association
- Volume : 56(1)
- Date : March, 2022
Abstract: In this paper, we aim to explain why among less-developed countries after World War II developmental states emerged in South Korea, Taiwan, and Singapore, while predatory states emerged in countries like the Philippines. We argue that developmental states emerge where national leaders have to compete with their rivals over policy, while predatory states emerge where the leaders have to focus on the delivery of pork and patronage. A comparative case study of Park Chung-hee (South Korea) and Ferdinand Marcos (the Philippines) supports the argument. This research suggests that the characteristics of political competition between the leader and rivals affect the emergence of developmental states, which sheds light on the persistent poverty in the developing world.