현대사회에서 주택은 단순한 은신처의 개념을 넘어 경제적 재화로 사회적 신분의 상징 및 갈등의 한부분을 차지하며 때로는 정치적 이념과도 깊은 연관을 맺고 있다. 즉 좌파냐 아니면 우파냐 또는 진보주의자냐 아니면 보수주의자인가에 따라 정책의 방향도 다소 차이가 날 것이다. 다시 말하면 보수적인 정당과 정치세력은 자본의 입장과 이익을 대변하고, 진보적인 정당과 정치세력은 노동의 입장과 이익을 대변하는 정치구조가 형성되어 있다. 이러한 보수와 진보의 이념은 경제정책에서 시장 대 국가, 효율성 대형평성, 세계화 대 반세계화 등으로 서로 구분되어서 나타난다. 본 연구에서는 주택정책에서도 보수와 진보의 이념은 분양주택 우선 대 임대주택 우선, 수요자 지원의 축소와 확대, 주택의 규제 강화와 완화 등의 차이로 나타날 것으로 가정하여 이를 실증적으로 분석을 하였다. 분석결과 정치 이념상으로 보수로 구분된 김영삼, 이명박 정부와 진보성향으로 구분된 김대중, 노무현 정부에서 주택정책도 대체로 정치적인 이념이 실현되는 것으로 나타났다. 그러나 김대중 정부 때 국가 초유의 경제위기에 따른 경제 활성화를 위해 각종 규제를 대폭 완화하고, 이명박 정부에서는 최종적인 결과는 아니지만 부동산 경기가 장기침체에 따른 규제완화 등으로 정치이념과 상반되는 모습을 보여주기도 하였다.

Three basic elements are needed for human life: clothing, food, and shelter. In modern society housing is more than mere shelter. It implies social degree as an economic good and is significantly related to political ideology. Policy direction inevitably jars with ideology, whether of the right or the left, conservatism or liberalism. Conservatism usually expresses the sentiments of capitalists while liberalism speaks out on behalf of workers. The economic policy of conservatism is quite distinct from that of liberalism. Conservatism gives greater priority to the market, efficiency, and globalization; liberalism places more importance on the nation, equity, and anti-globalization. In housing policy the former stresses housing for sale, support for suppliers, and deregulation, while the latter emphasizes housing for rent, support for buyers, and regulation. This study analyzes various existing data concerning this matter. The results reveal that the supply and demand housing policies of the conservative Kim Youngsam and Lee Myungbak governments and the liberal Kim Daejung and Roh Moohyun governments generally coincide with their political ideologies, except those of Lee, who is still in office. Other exceptions include Kim Daejung's deregulation for revitalization from an economic crisis, a conservative policy that is not typically supported by a liberal government. The ultimate goal of housing policy is to ensure a comfortable house and a pleasant residential environment for all who reside in a nation. Conservative and liberal ideologies differ as to how to achieve these goals. At this point in time Korea's political parties clarify their own ideology according to housing policy—conservative or liberal, market freedom or universal equality—and do their best to gain the support of the people.

Three basic elements are needed for human life: clothing, food, and shelter. In modern society housing is more than mere shelter. It implies social degree as an economic good and is significantly related to political ideology. Policy direction inevitably jars with ideology, whether of the right or the left, conservatism or liberalism. Conservatism usually expresses the sentiments of capitalists while liberalism speaks out on behalf of workers. The economic policy of conservatism is quite distinct from that of liberalism. Conservatism gives greater priority to the market, efficiency, and globalization; liberalism places more importance on the nation, equity, and anti-globalization. In housing policy the former stresses housing for sale, support for suppliers, and deregulation, while the latter emphasizes housing for rent, support for buyers, and regulation. This study analyzes various existing data concerning this matter. The results reveal that the supply and demand housing policies of the conservative Kim Youngsam and Lee Myungbak governments and the liberal Kim Daejung and Roh Moohyun governments generally coincide with their political ideologies, except those of Lee, who is still in office. Other exceptions include Kim Daejung's deregulation for revitalization from an economic crisis, a conservative policy that is not typically supported by a liberal government. The ultimate goal of housing policy is to ensure a comfortable house and a pleasant residential environment for all who reside in a nation. Conservative and liberal ideologies differ as to how to achieve these goals. At this point in time Korea's political parties clarify their own ideology according to housing policy—conservative or liberal, market freedom or universal equality—and do their best to gain the support of the people.

housing policy, conservatism, liberalism