1910년대 조선에서 자유주의의 두 가지 유형과 성격

Abstract

The liberalism observed among ‘the new intellectuals’ in 1910s can be divided into the Classical Liberalism which presents strong individualism and the Social Liberalism which seeks for harmony between individual and society. Korean people put the Classical Liberalism first as they thought liberalism based on individualism was in the base of modern civilization of western countries. The reason behind this belief was colligation between nationalistic characteristic which refused Japan’s intervention in the colonial period and the Classical Liberalism which emphasized the exclusion of state intervention. In the contrary, those new intellectuals who claimed the Social Liberalism shared the same goal of achieving modern civilization but they also considered social problems that were occurred by the Classical Liberalism. They were exposed to the social and critical viewpoint toward the Classical Liberalism while studying in Japan. Therefore, they could broaden their understanding about organic social viewpoint which accepts the harmony of individual and society as well as economic viewpoint of capitalism which promotes reasonable redistribution by government intervening social problems with social policy and sociality of assets. The Social Liberalism could provide ideological background in which interests of individual and society don’t collide and it was a very effective ideology during that time as the unity of Korean was more important than ever to stand against colonial power. It allowed positive expectation that harmony can be created by the values of individual and society if society is substituted with people.