Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: Korea’s recent FTA agenda with the United States brought about huge demonstration among civilians especially on the import of American beef issue. While foreign media suggested that this movement was related to the anti-U.S. nationalism, this paper aims at examining the relations between the nationalism and the cause of demonstrations, applying social mobilization theory._x000d_Nationalism per se, was not the cause of this event but was used as a tool for social mobilization by certain political groups at later stage, thus being more of an outcome of the demonstration, is the main point of this paper. The ensuing division between the conservative and the liberal, which was immanent feature of the Korean society, was gearing toward this event as well. _x000d_What caused such huge demonstration and resistance of civilians against the Lee Myung Bak administration that won the presidential election by a landslide just 6 months before? Analyzing the cause, the procedure, and aftermath of the event, in line with certain interaction patterns between the public and the Lee administraion, I will testify the relations among the demonstration, nationalism, and social mobilization theory.