18세기 ‘공(公)’ 담론의 구조와 그 정치·경제적 함의

Abstract

In the 18th century, the concept of ‘Gong(公),’ as a notion of a democratic country, was based upon an imaginary authority and principle of heaven. It placed the king at the center of the ideological circle, and continuously reproduced the legitimacy of governing. Mandate of heaven was considered as a mirror reflecting the flows and direction of the public sentiment. Such consideration manifested itself in the form of the “Disasters (have a reason)” argument(災異論), an argument that theorized natural disasters as the result of heaven’s judgment. Following such theorization, several directives such as “the official government and the royal family should become one(‘Gungbu Ilche, 宮府一體’),” “the spending should be determined by the amount of revenue(‘Yang’ib Wi’chul, 量入爲出’)” and “the people who own more should concede for the sake of the ones who do not(‘Songsang Ik’ha, 損上益下’),” were placed on the paragon of the system, under the ultimate objective of ‘Achieving a governance that could appease the population(“安民政治”),’ for the king to honor and respect. And the Kings were demanded to consider the former kings as role models as well as continuously identify their own legitimacy by them. However, a Democratic country based on the interpretation of this “Gong” concept, which allegedly came from the mandate of heaven and popularity, was actually monopolized by the king, governmental officials and aristocrats. They conceptualized it as the ‘general will,’ and the will of most commoners who were excluded from the political process was largely unaccounted for. Generally the notion of “損上益下” was mentioned as a method for reducing taxes and level the rate of taxation, in order to prevent exploitation and leakage of taxes, through various regulations. And the “almsgiving” policy(social relief) was especially emphasized. And at the background of enforcing the policy of “損上益下” was the “Wangto” belief(王土思想). Ideology of Gong was completed in the Joseon dynasty during the 18th century. Since then it has been regarded as a paragon. Going through the Japanese occupation period, it developed into a ‘precedent in history’ and became a unique part of the ‘public interests’ concept inside the Korean society.