Mass-Participatory Economy: Korea's path to democracy, economic development, and national unification

Context and purpose
Kim Dae-jung wrote from the vantage of a long-time dissident and opposition politician who saw Korea's political liberalization as incomplete without parallel economic democratization. He framed the "mass-participatory economy" as an integrated response to the problems of concentrated corporate power, widening inequality, and the social dislocation that accompanied rapid industrialization. His argument links democratic politics, broad-based economic participation, and a practical path toward peaceful national reunification.

Diagnosis of Korea's economic challenges
The book diagnoses an economy dominated by large family-controlled conglomerates, uneven regional development, and limited opportunities for ordinary citizens to influence economic outcomes. Kim identified risks from excessive centralization, economic decisions made by a few, weak social safety nets, precarious employment for many workers, and political capture by entrenched interests. He treated these structural imbalances as threats not only to social justice but also to long-term stability and democratic consolidation.

Core principles of a mass-participatory economy
At the heart of his proposal is the democratization of economic power: expanding participation of workers, consumers, small entrepreneurs, and local communities in economic decision-making. He advocated mechanisms to decentralize ownership and governance, strengthen cooperatives and small- and medium-sized enterprises, and foster broader public involvement in corporate governance. The principles combine market efficiency with social restraints and a commitment to redistribution that preserves incentives while protecting citizens from the shocks of rapid change.

Policy proposals and institutional reforms
Kim proposed concrete institutional reforms to realize these principles: measures to curb monopolistic practices, regulatory changes to increase transparency and accountability, progressive taxation and redistributive spending to fund education and social welfare, and policies to stimulate regional and rural development. He emphasized worker participation in management, support for cooperative enterprises, and legal frameworks to prevent political–economic collusion. The aim was to create a more inclusive economy in which prosperity is widely shared and citizens have a real voice.

Reunification and international strategy
Economic strategy and national reconciliation are presented as mutually reinforcing. Kim argued that a mass-participatory domestic model would strengthen Korea's case for peaceful engagement with the North by offering tangible incentives for cooperation and joint development. He favored gradual, confidence-building measures, economic cooperation projects, cultural exchange, and humanitarian assistance, framed to reduce military tensions while opening pathways to integration that respect Korean self-determination. Internationally, he sought partnerships that would support Korea's development without forcing dependency.

Legacy and contemporary relevance
The book anticipated debates that would shape Korea's next decades: how to balance dynamic market growth with social equity, how to limit corporate dominance without stifling competitiveness, and how to pursue reunification through incentives rather than coercion. Its appeal lies in marrying democratic values with concrete policy tools aimed at widening participation and dignity in economic life. For readers interested in the intersection of democratization, development policy, and conflict resolution, the text remains a thoughtful blueprint that influenced later public debates about governance, welfare, and engagement with the North.