Outlooks on a Civil Society-Initiated Unification of the Korean Peninsula

초록

The theory of civil society-initiated unification is a unification paradigm that reflects the changes in civil society following global social change and the democratization of Korean politics at the historical conjuncture of post-Cold War market-centrism. The statist paradigm of unification of the previous historical conjuncture now shows clear limitations as a practical and effective unification discourse. In the new historical conjuncture, trends such as the expansion of non-political civilian exchange and peace movements, civic-led unification movements, and a unification governance of civic participation are new practices that broaden the horizons of the theory of civil society-initiated unification. When differentiating between civil society as a realistic mode of existence versus a normative community, the theory of civil society-initiated unification focuses on the aspect of civil society as a normative community oriented towards the values of peace and equality, a green environment, autonomy, and co-existence. These norms and values of civil society are implemented through civic nationalism, which goes beyond the narrow scope of Cold War nationalism and will consequently be able to expand the conditions for the realization of unification-oriented civil society.

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