Date of Award

4-1981

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Department

Political Science

First Advisor

Dr. Helenan S. Lewis

Second Advisor

Dr. Larry Ziring

Third Advisor

Dr. C. I. Eugene Kim

Access Setting

Masters Thesis-Open Access

Abstract

This study is concerned with the analysis of suppressive control policies in a centralized and monocratic political system. As the central elite figure in the Republic of Korea from 1961 until 1979, Park Chung-hee directed the growth of a political system which continually reinforced his own personal power. Park's reactions to challenges and crises led him to a policy of systemic manipulation and increased suppression of personal freedoms.

The existence of a large body of writing and speeches by Park makes it possible to examine the development of his personal philosophy as well as providing the basis for a directional content analysis regarding his tendency towards suppression. The increase in Park's concern with maintaining personal control is reflected in the gross fluctuations of those statements categorized as suppressive or nonsuppressive. Finally, these fluctuations form the basis for the possibility of predicting future suppressive actions by a central monocratic figure.

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