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Chong-Min Park*

The levels of income equality have risen, at varying degree,
across much of the region for the last two decades. Japan, South
Korea, Taiwan, Indonesia, Mongolia, and Singapore displayed an upward
trend. By contrast, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Thailand exhibited a
downward trend. Nevertheless, the levels of income inequality have risen or
remain high. So, now we see democratization and rising income inequality in
East Asia. The question is for the last 1990s, it become important for the
connection between economic inequality and democracy across in region. East
Asia is a very good opportunity to assess the impact of economic equality on
politic and political institution. There are different ways addressing some political
consequences of inequality. One, you can focus on the impact on redistribution.
Second is on equality of governance and democracy. And, we can interested in the
stability and survival of democracy. Last one, it can focus on democratization.
Political Economists use this question the address of political consequences
economic and democratic. There have been growing scholars who examine the
origin of the consequences of equality. There have been followed researched in the
context of East Asia.

* Professor, Korea University [email protected]