Offspring of Empire: The Koch'ang Kims and the Colonial Origins of Korean Capitalism, 1876-1945

by Carter J. Eckert

Overview

According to conventional interpretations, the Japanese annexation of Korea in 1910 destroyed a budding native capitalist economy on the peninsula and blocked the development of a Korean capitalist class until 1945. In this expansive and provocative study, now available in paperback, Carter J. Eckert challenges the standard view and argues that Japanese imperialism, while politically oppressive, was also the catalyst and cradle of modern Korean industrial development. Ancient ties to China were replaced by new ones to Japan - ties that have continued to shape the South Korean political economy down to the present day.

Eckert explores a wide range of themes, including the roots of capitalist development in Korea, the origins of the modern business elite, the nature of Japanese colonial policy and the Japanese colonial state, the relationship between the colonial government and the Korean economic elite, and the nature of Korean collaboration. He conveys a clear sense of the human complexity, archival richness, and intellectual challenge of the historical period. His documentation is thorough; his arguments are compelling and often strikingly innovative.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780295993881
Publisher:	University of Washington Press
Publication date:	04/01/2014
Series:	Korean Studies of the Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	416
Sales rank:	596,768
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 9.00(h) x 1.30(d)
Lexile:	1710L (what's this?)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Carter J. Eckert is Yoon Se Young Professor of Korean History at Harvard University.

Table of Contents

List of Illustrations

Preface

1. Merchants and Landlords

2. An Industrial Bourgeoisie

3. Class and State: The Financial Nexus

4. Class and State: Partners in Management

5. Between Metropole and Hinterland: The Acquisition of Raw Materials and Technology

6. Between Metropole and Hinterland: The Quest for Markets

7. "Without Any Trouble"

8. Class Over Nation

Conclusion

Notes

Guide to Romanization

Bibliography

Index

Editorial Reviews

Must become required reading for all students of East Asia in the twentieth century.

-- "Journal of the School of Oriental and African Studies"

Should be ranked among the best in the field of Korean studies and should be required reading for those interested in Korea studies and/or serious about Japanese and Asian studies.

-- "Journal of Asian Studies"

From the Publisher

Should be ranked among the best in the field of Korean studies and should be required reading for those interested in Korea studies and/or serious about Japanese and Asian studies.

Journal of Asian Studies

Must become required reading for all students of East Asia in the twentieth century.

Journal of the School of Oriental and African Studies

According to conventional interpretations, the Japanese annexation of Korea in 1910 destroyed a budding native capitalist economy on the peninsula and blocked the development of a Korean capitalist class until 1945. Eckert (Korean history, Harvard U.) challenges the standard view and argues that Japanese imperialism, while politically oppressive, was also the catalyst and cradle of modern Korean industrial development. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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