유교자본주의라는 용어에 대한 비판적 고찰

Abstract

The Confucian Capitalism which was quite popular during the rise of economy of the East Asian cultural sphere, became to lose it voice because of the economic recession of that area. And once admired, the Confucianism is considered as the main culprit of the repression. However, as the East Asian economy becomes an increasing element in the world economy, it is highly probable that The Confucian Capitalism controversy will reignite with the new form and name. This study is the first attempt to reveal the problems of the controversy and preserve the importance of it, and aims to show the uselessness of the concept of ‘Confucian Capitalism.’ Many Scholars who participated in the Confucian Capitalism controversy did not have clear understanding of Confucianism. They considered Legalism as Confucianism, and laid the blame at Confucianism. At the same time, scholars who took part in the controversy did not recognize the ambiguity of the concept of Capitalism. Experts in Capitalism point out the ambiguity of the concept, and many economists treat all the economic issues without using the word ‘Capitalism.’ Therefore, Capitalism must be considered unnecessary. This study does not claim that many issues of the Confucian Capitalism controversy were not important. The conclusion of this study is that those issues can be examined without using the word, ‘Confucian Capitalism.’