Weak Political System Restrains National Power

Hansun Foundation for Freedom & Happiness has issued the 2009 Hansun Total National Power (TNP) Index. This is the third in a series of articles which analyze all aspects involving national power, and present tasks and strategies the nation should tackle to sharpen its competitiveness. ― ED.

By Cho Jae-hyon
Staff Reporter

State-of-the-art factories, high-tech weapons, advanced information/communications infrastructure are the key components that a country must have for a stronger international competitiveness.

However, for these "hard power" ingredients to become true engines to propel the country's growth and prosperity, they must be backed by more sophisticated and highly efficient "soft power" that runs the hardware.

Unfortunately, South Korea is relatively weak in soft power ― the combination of governance, political power, diplomacy, culture and the administrative capability coping with internal and external changes.

It's the ability enabling a nation to accomplish its goals. It's not tangible.

"Soft power is not something we can strengthen in a short-term. It's a field we should nurture and incubate with a mid-to long-term strategy," said Kang Hong-ryul, a researcher of the Korea Information Society Development Institute.

Korea has achieved a rapid growth in what is dubbed as a compressed growth after the Korean War (1950-1953). It didn't come without costs: Imbalance is conspicuous in every social and economic field.

The nation outperformed other nations in bolstering its hard power under the government-led industrialization programs. However, politics, culture, diplomacy and other governing areas remain underdeveloped.

"Instead of complementing hard power, it works as a restraint," Kang said. "The core of national strategy should lie in enforcing the basis for soft power for a fresh take-off.

Korea has made advanced toward a knowledge-based society with the development of information and telecommunications industry.

Melting Pot

However, booming democracy and globalization is fueling friction in the society, though they made the nation more diverse and dynamical.

The research team said that the country must build a "melting pot" that could consolidate all friction-causing factors into a catalyst to boost the nation's power.

To that extent, the government should hammer out and implement policies to maximize the functions of social, political and cultural communications.

"We should start from admitting to the structural social problems based on cronyism and opaque connections built around same birthplaces and schools," Kang said. "Only when we accept different opinions and views of other individuals and groups, will soft power be supportive of hard power for another leap forward."

In particular, the nation is surveyed far less competitive in governance and politics fields.

Its governance ranking came in at 12th and political power marked lower at 14th. Bad governance and politics are keeping the nation from moving into a more advanced country.

Prof. Hwang Sung-don of Hankuk University of Foreign Studies said that the role of politicians and political systems have become more important than any other times as they should set the direction for Korea Inc.

"Roman and Chinese empires collapsed mainly because politicians pursued wrong values and steered them into wrong directions," Hwang said. "At the same time, their inability, laziness, greed for private wealth and corruption sped up their falls."

The research team found that Korea ranked nearly at bottom in subcategories of stability and efficiency of political system, claiming 17th place. It ranked 16th in measurement of efficiency of legislation activities. Politicians' transparency and cleanness came in at 16th.

The lower rankings in all political power categories underline habitual eruptions of slush fund scandals involving businessmen and politicians as witnessed in the latest bribery case surrounding Park Yeon-cha, the former CEO of shoemaker Taekwang.

"The low standings are not surprising given habitually violent clashes between governing and opposition parties over sensitive bills and unending bribery scandals involving politicians," Hwang said.

New Blood

The research team found that China claimed the top place in comprehensive political power, followed by Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States. Chinese political systems and politicians drew high points, and Australian and Canadian politicians were recognized for their high degrees of cleanness.

"It's disappointing that our political power stays at such a low level, while China claimed the top spot. This means that our political system needs a thorough restructuring and overhaul to emerge stronger," Hwang said. "For this, there should be no exceptions whether they be progressives or conservatives."

All of these politicians are responsible for such embarrassing score cards, he said. "Wholly-new forces outside the political circle must do their best to help reform the nation's political system in a drastic manner."

The research result illustrates that the nation must put a greater focus on following tasks. First, political parties should be realigned in accordance with their policy lines not by particular figures or specific interest groups. By doing so, the political system will be more stable and efficient.

Second, the National Assembly needs tougher rules and steps to stem violence. Then its function as a legislative body will kick in strongly.

Third, the country should hammer out drastic, stringent measures against corruption. A cleaner and more transparent environment should be established which would not tolerate corrupt politicians.

Fourth, they need to be internationally-minded and globalized further. "Without understandings of global norms, they won't be able to tackle challenging tasks that lie ahead of them," Hwang said.

He and other experts said that the political sector should open its doors wider to attract new, younger talent.

They also pointed out diplomatic power remains at unsatisfactory level. It ranked 12th, similar to the economic power.

"Despite more brisk diplomatic activities, the level of diplomatic influence still remains low. This should be addressed as mid-to long-term strategies," said Kang Hong-ryul, the researcher of the Korea Information Society Development Institute. "The government needs to expand its overseas assistance in par with its growing economy as part of efforts to have a greater say in the diplomatic arena."

chojh@koreatimes.co.kr