Unification by Absorption or by Incrementalism(Sunshine Policy)?: A Comparative Enquiry 25 Years after German Reunification

Abstract

In the history of Korea two concepts of reunification have developed: Unification by absorption and an incremental concept of unification. This paper tests the two concepts for their effectiveness by analyzing historical examples for both. As criteria for effectiveness were set: 1. the criterion of comparative living conditions, 2. the criterion of satisfaction with the outcomes, 3. the criterion of integration and the lack of prejudices and discrimination. The comparison was considered admissible, if the comparison produced typical differences for the two methods. All historical examples of unification by absorption show deep splits in the societies even more than hundred years and many generations after reunification or unification. Some of the examples, however, show good scores on the creation of comparable living conditions. All examples of incremental unifications have succeeded much better in creating integrated societies with satisfaction and mutual respect and acceptance yet with much variance in living conditions.