Social Darwinism and Nationalism in Korea (1880s-1910s): The Ideology of Survival in Korean Modernity | Brill's Korean Studies Library Vol. 2 | Academic Research on East Asian History & Political Thought
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SKU:63920823
Product Description
The book deals with the influences Social Darwinism exerted upon Korea's modern ideologies in their formative period - especially nationalism - after its introduction to Korea in 1883 and before Korea's annexation by Japan in 1910. It shows that the belief in the "survival of the fittest" as the overarching cosmic and social principle constituted the main underpinning for the modernity discourses in Korea in the 1890s-1900s. Unlike the dominant ideology of traditional Korea, Neo-Confucianism, which was largely promoted by the scholar-official elite, Social Darwinism appealed to the modern intellectuals, but also to the entrepreneurs, providing the justification for their profit-seeking activities as part of the "national survival" project. As an ideology of Korea's nascent capitalism, Social Darwinism in Korea could, however, hardly be called a liberal creed: it clearly prioritized "national survival" over individual rights and interests.
Customer Reviews
This review of the little known in the West effect of rejecting the traditional Confucian belief structure and the acceptance of Darwinism, focusing on Korea. The process of the acceptance of Darwinism by Korean academics, writers and others and its horrendous effects in terms of lives lost was covered in great detail, especially in the first chapters. Darwinian inspired racism was also adapted to specific cultures throughout the world and this well-documented review focuses on the effects of racism on the Korean people as it came from both Japan and China. Both China and Japan widely believed that they were the superior race compared to other Asian nationalities including Koreans, and, in general, all three of these people groups assumed that they were racially superior to White Westerners. Some of the contradictory beliefs in this area were explored, as was the multi-million death toll that resulted from the conflicts influenced by Darwinism.
