Philippine E-Journals

Growth of Citizen Movements and Changes in the Political Process in Korea and the US: Similarities and Differences

Sung-jin Yoo

 

Abstract:

Recently, we have observed a new wave of citizen movements around the world. Starting with the Jasmine revolution in Egypt, a series of new citizen movements has arisen in many countries of democracy. To list some, the “occupy-like movements” and the “Tea-party movement” in the US are contemporary citizen movements, representing different responses of citizens from the liberals and the conservatives to the global financial crisis. In Korea, arising mainly from the mad cow disease controversy, the candle light vigil had shown a huge influence as a new type of citizen movement.