Anti-Americanism in South Korea, 1945-1992: A struggle for positive national identity

The study of anti-Americanism began in earnest only in 1985. Since that time, functionalists have dominated the field with definitions that stress outward manifestations and varieties of anti-Americanism rather than causes. This study advocates a reorientation toward the emotional, social psychological foundations of anti-Americanism to understand how and why it arises and to determine what unites different varieties of the phenomenon. Accordingly, the discussion draws heavily upon recent perspectives in social psychology, psychology, and anthropology, with special emphasis on the applications of Henri Tajfel's social identity theory and Helen Lewis's shame theory. A new definition is offered which distinguishes between anti-Americanism and anti-American sentiments. Common to both, it is argued, is a shame-based anger that is aimed less at the United States and more at negative national self-images. The goal of anti-American movements is to reduce the considerable ambivalence inherent in anti-American sentiment by stressing American hypocrisy and immorality. Once this is achieved, these movements attempt to redefine the national identity in positive terms, without reference to U.S. standards of comparison. In addition to presenting a new interpretation of anti-Americanism, this study identifies the distinctive features of Korea's social and historical experience that contributed to the subsequent growth of anti-Americanism and anti-American sentiments--including a dependency-oriented patronage system that governed both domestic politics and Korea's relations with the outside world. The study then traces the ideological and organizational development of anti-Americanism as it fused with radical opposition to repressive government. In assessing the impact of this movement on college campuses, it is argued that anti-Americanism, along with Marxist rejection of American political and economic principles, gained the sympathy of most students. Measuring the prevalence of the more diffuse anti-American sentiments off-campus awaits refinements in survey questions. The study does attempt to demonstrate, in the meantime, that anti-American resentments are common within the general population. A summary of the sources of mistrust in Korean-U.S. relations leads to the conclusion that trust-building measures may mitigate bilateral tensions. Ultimately, however, the reduction of anti-American sentiments depends on the ability of Koreans to find pride in their growing national accomplishments and to redefine their identities in terms of present abilities rather than past shortcomings.