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Youth Authoritarianism in Korean Democracy: What Makes the Youth in a Consolidated Democracy Withdraw Support for Democracy?

Authors :
WooJin Kang
Source :
Korea Observer; Winter2023, Vol. 54 Issue 4, p585-611, 27p
Publication Year :
2023

Abstract

Why do young adults in Korea appear to reject the democratic system and embrace with authoritarianism? Employing a specially designed survey, this study examined the influence of the models of extreme economic hardship, social threat, fairness, and populism using the structural equation model. Thus, the determinants of the authoritarian system were found to be multidimensional and somewhat at odds with each other in the direction of causation. The threat of economic hardship and intolerant attitudes toward North Korea and minorities were important factors that led young adults to support authoritarian regimes. Nevertheless, young adults who are critical of the fairness of democracy in Korea continue to support the democratic system. Young adults who are critical of representative democracy and oriented toward populism showed the same preference. This result provides the hopeful prospect that Korea may not join the recent trend of deconsolidation and further reauthoritarianism in the near future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
00233919
Volume :
54
Issue :
4
Database :
Complementary Index
Journal :
Korea Observer
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
174188581
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.29152/KOIKS.2023.54.4.585