The economic progress and democratization of the Republic of Korea in Confucian developmental state theory: how it shaped its position in the world and contributed to its success in handling Covid-19

Theoretical framework: the developmental state theory. Theory characteristics. East Asian development, NICs (Newly industrialized countries). The Confucian developmental state. The economic development of South Korea. The shortcomings of the standard political-economical explanations. The economic dimension of South Korean development. The socio-cultural dimension: a Confucian basis. The socio-political dimension: state-society relations. The South Korean democratization process. Transition to democracy. A unique model to face the Covid-19 emergency. The public-private partnership: an established economic feature. Tradition, Confucianism and democracy.