Modernization Efforts in China, Japan and Korea
Introduction
Modernization refers to a process of transition from traditional or pre-modern society to modern society. Different societies transit in different ways. China, Japan and Korea have evolutionalised to modernity differently. Historians associate modernization to the process of industrialization, urbanization and the spread of education. With modernization, people become more important than communities and families.
Modernization efforts in China started in the 1911 revolution and at the end of Qing Dynasty[1]. This was the last dynasty to rule China. Before it was overthrown, the Qing Dynasty attempted to reform in its infrastructure, government and transportation sectors between 1902 and 1908. These reforms were based on the western models such as democracy. Modernization was agitated by May 4th Movement in 1919[2]. This movement was opposed to foreign influence and imperialism. Era of warlords, civil war between KMT and CCP, and the Second Sino Japanese war that happened in the 20th century slowed down the pace of revolution in China until establishment of People’s Republic of China in 1949[3].
Mao Zedong is one of the Chinese people who helped to bring about modernization in China.[4] He used Soviet Union to institute modernization in China. He used Soviet Union plan called “The Great Leap Forward” from the years 1958-1961 in his bring modernization in China. This was a five-year plan and this helped China to transit to modern society through initiatives that were aimed at industrialization and collectivism[5]. His strategy was to make China a world power without clinging on any foreign ideas or without getting involved in with their ideologies of capitalism. He therefore agitated for the idea of self-reliance[6]. However, even though Mao contributed to this modernization, “Great Leap Forwards” failed. The Cultural Revolution that took place between 1966 and1976 also impaired China modernization[7].
Another personality who played a crucial role in modernization and uplifting the economy of China was Deng Xiaoping (Ebrey, 2005). He focused mainly on improving agriculture, national defense, industry and science and technology. Western ideas were used as example in implementation but the management style was based on Chinese style[8]. Dong brought various changes relating to foreign investment, privatization, profit incentives, which assisted China to perform better in terms of economic development. The adoption of one child policy in 1978 made China to adopt nuclear families structures and this has added influence on its quest to modernization. The infrastructure and economy of China is thriving. For instance, China moved to position two in 2010 in terms of its stability in economy.
As opposed to China, modernization in Japan began in 1868[9]. One of the significant contributors in the Japan modernization was Meiji. His government took initiatives of modernizing the country in terms of developing industries and infrastructure (Ebrey, 2005). Meiji’s government was restoration and had various ministries that were designated different roles. For instance, the ministry of education was required to carry out duties concerning national education system such as primary, secondary and higher education. This mode of education emulated that of western countries[10]. Furthermore, western professionals were hired by the government of Japan to work in the rail and in mining industries. However, the navy adopted British model wand recruited British colonel Douglas in 1873 to head the navy mission[11].
On the other hand, Army ministry adopted the French model, which was the head of the operations. This approach to modernization was different to that of China. China did not adopt any western ideologies or support in its quest for modernization. Political modernization occurred in Japan in 1947 when the civil code was adopted[12]. This code allowed for constitutional democracy, which helped Japan to have a national parliament.
Modernization in Korea began in the late 19th century[13]. Modernization of Korea was torn apart between the ideologies of western and that of Japan. In the modernization quest of Korea, the frontier runners were educated Christians that emulated the ideologies of America in their quest of becoming civilized. Even though there was a conflict between these two ideologies, Japanese model was practically applied[14]. Most of the Koreans emulated their civilization and modernization to that of the Japanese. Self-image of the Korean people was intertwined in the complex relationships with Christianity, nationalism and modernity[15]. The Japanese Orientalism shaped self-identity of Korea.
Important elements that played critical role later in the Korean modernization was United States, which launched decade long intensive development that begun in 1945[16]. The aim of the U.S involvement in Korea affairs was aimed at making it become a model state, and spur its economic success. The agents that contributed to its modernization consisted of the Economic Cooperation Administration, the U.S army, Aversion non-governmental organization, UN Korean Reconstruction Agency, YMCA, Ford foundation, boy scouts and the Presbyterian Church[17]. These bodies helped in reforming the Korean nation and transforming it to advance in its economy and infrastructure. Because of this assimilation, many of the Koreans migrated to Hawaii and California and helped to change the government and business model in their own country (Ebrey, 2005).
Therefore, the similarities that exhibited among these countries included their evolutionary systematic modernization. Modernization was led by some forces, which helped them to achieve their modernization. Even though the time of attainment of modernization varied, all endeavored to attain economic growth in terms of industries, infrastructure culture and key sectors of the economy.
On contrary, there were some contrasts among the countries. The most evident difference was in the way they carried out their modernization. The three countries were influenced in different ways. China modernized without clinging to any western forces, as opposed to Japan, which used various countries such as western countries, French and Britain. Korea also was influenced by ideologies of western countries.
In conclusion, it is apparent that these three countries went through revolutions and earned their modernization differently. Even though some similarities are evident, differences in their modernization strategy are manifest. Regardless of this, the quest for more modernization is still on with countries such as China, trying hard to become a world power. Its economy is the second largest on the planet and this is enough reason to demonstrate its might and determination to clinging on this position.
Bibliography
Ebrey, Patricia B. (2005). East Asia: A Cultural, Social, and Political History, 2ND EDITION- Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
[1] Patricia, Ebrey. (2005). East Asia: A Cultural, Social, and Political History, 2ND EDITION-Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
[2] Ibid
[3] Ibid
[4] Ibid
[5] Patricia, Ebrey. (2005). East Asia: A Cultural, Social, and Political History, 2ND EDITION-Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
[6] Ibid
[7] Ibid
[8] Ibid
[9] Ibid
[10] Patricia, Ebrey. (2005). East Asia: A Cultural, Social, and Political History, 2ND EDITION-Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
[11] Ibid
[12] Ibid
[13] Ibid
[14] Ibid
[15] Patricia, Ebrey. (2005). East Asia: A Cultural, Social, and Political History, 2ND EDITION-Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
[16] Ibid
[17] Ibid
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