4･18 고대행동과 한국의 민주주의 - 고대 민주주의의 논리와 전망 -

Abstract

This article, viewing the time between establishment of the Korean government in 1948 and the early 1990s as the historical conjuncture of ‘Division-Statism’, set the flow of social movements during this period as the historical cycle of Minjok-minju Undong (national democracy movement) that developed uniquely. April Revolution in 1960 is considered the sub-period that signaled the cycle of Minjok-minju Undong, and there lies 4･18 Korea University’s Activism (KU Activism) in the heart of April Revolution. When we refer to the democratic values and actions Korea University historically produced and inherently possess as Korea University’s Democracy (KU Democracy), 4･18 KU Activism is the starting point of KU Democracy. Thus, 4･18 KU Activism can be considered to be the cultural origin of KU Democracy. KU Democracy stands on the basis of intellectualism as a Logos-like source, passionism as a Pathos-like source, and ethicism as an Ethos-like source. And such sources are the foundation of legitimacy structure where KU Democracy earns the approval of the civil society. The fact that 4･18 KU Activism spread throughout the country and made April Revolution possible is premised on the structure of consent regarding KU Democracy including students from other universities as well as citizens. This article focuses on such structure of legitimacy on three dimensions: how just, how popular and how historical KU Democracy is. After all, it can be said that as such legitimacy structure of KU Democracy connects to the desire of civil society, conjoins Korea’s democracy.