The sustained remarkable economic growth in the East Asian countries - Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore - has brought about a great deal of debate over the role of the state in the market and society. Shin analyses the dynamic process of state interventions in the economy and social affairs in Korea from the early 1960s until the present with special reference to five policy areas: macro-economic policy, industrial policy, social security policy, labour policy, and education and training policy.
Social and Economic Policies in Korea develops a unique explanation about the development of Korean social policy using the concepts of 'policy idea', 'policy network', and 'policy-linkages' to examine the causes, patterns and consequences of state interventions in the economy and social affairs over time. It should interest students and researchers of East Asian studies, social policy and development studies.