초록 열기/닫기 버튼
This paper assesses the research of the late Dr. Sung-Hyong Rhee which he carried out as a political scientist. However, it is not within the scope of this paper to provide an assessment of the scientific significance of Rhee’s work, focusing instead on highlighting his contributions to the debates that have significantly enhanced the robustness of the field of academic Latin American studies in Korea. First, Rhee’s work started from a neo-colonial approach to the interrelationships among the different elements within Latin American social systems, a main research theme of his early career. Second,Rhee’s efforts moved toward critical evaluation of the impact of neoliberalism on development in Latin America. Third, Rhee’s work dealt with the relationship between the US and Latin America, one of the key determinants of the political economy of the region. Fourth,we give special attention to the way in which Rhee forecasted the future of Latin America. Last, but not least, Rhee’s enthusiasm for the humanities and its influence on his work is emphasized, leading to his characterization as an ‘inter-disciplinary’ and ‘reader -friendly’scholar. Rhee was outstanding in that he enjoyed sharing his ideas and knowledge not only with his colleagues but also with common people. In this manner he cultivated a mass audience and made area studies accessible to the public, by carrying out a fundamental shift in the approach to his research objects. However, this transformational approach has made him subject to criticisms for Dr. Rhee’s supposed weakness in theoretical approach and methodological maturity,although these would surely have been overcome in the years to come had he remained with us longer.
키워드열기/닫기 버튼
Sung-Hyong Rhee, latin american studies, political economy,social elements, neoliberalism, U.S. and Latin America Relations
