Globalisation and Labour Struggle in Asia

Book excerpt: How has South Korea's development influenced and been influenced by world events? What light can it shed on the way that international struggles for hegemony affect local environments? Phoebe Moore seeks to address these questions critically, from the perspective of International Political Economics, and so provides important insight into one of the fastest growing Asian economies. Through an original account of Korean development she challenges the neo-Gramscian school theories, observing that all economic development in this country has been carried out through 'passive revolution' driven by an elite, frequently supported by external forces, against the will of a large part of the population. Moore draws out the relationships between socio-economic change, revolution, hegemony struggles and global politics, making this a key resource for Asian political economics, labour relations and international politics.