Features & Implications 10/19/20 Maria Maysonet THE SAEMAUL MOVEMENT

In this article Moon gives a historical account of the Seamaul Movement illustrating the events that led to the initiation of the movement, main features, effects, and finally criticism and lessons. He offers suggestions to the need for institutional reform and strategies for rural development. This presentation will summarize Moons main arguments and suggestions for policy and strategy improvement. The Seamaul Movement Written by Pal Yong Moon

THE PROBLEM

THE PROBLEM: RURAL POVERTY AND LOW PRODUCTIVITY LEVELS Small- Scale Farming -> Restricts the adoption of new technology and impedes the improvement of agricultural productivity pg. 405 Insufficient capital investment Limited land resources Implications: Lack of new technology and to increase productivity

Farm-Price Policy Grain prices were kept low as to not increase the urban wage earners cost of living Hindered efforts to promote domestic food production -> Low Price Policy further impoverished the already rural poor Primarily in the 1950s until the implementation of the two-tier price policy. Implications Encouraged food imports ->depleting foreign exchange reserves Widened income gap b/w urban and rural areas Decline in rural political support Increase focus on implementing policies aimed at rural development THE PROBLEM: RURAL POVERTY AND LOW PRODUCTIVITY LEVELS

THE SOLUTION

THE SOLUTION: THE SAEMAUL MOVEMENT The “Saemaul Undong [movement] is a new community movement in which people cooperate with one another in order to construct better and richer villages, and as a consequence, a richer and stronger nation.” (Official definition used by MOHA) pg. 409 Ultimate Goal  Developing a strong nation through the elimination of poverty (specifically in rural areas) and the construction of a dynamic society. Achieving this goal Rural Enlightment Social Development Economic Development **Initiated through the disposal of surplus cement that allowed for environmental and infrastructural improvements. (Pg.408)

THE SOLUTION: RURAL ENLIGHTENMENT Rural enlightenment sought to enhance rural villagers willingness to practice self-reliance Spirit of Diligence, Austerity, Thrift, Mutual Cooperation, and Solidarity Former Attitudes  Exploitation and Economic Squeeze limited voluntary participation in community development and cooperative productive activities.  Extended Family system limited individual development and decision-making abilities.

The Social Development aspects implemented programs aimed at improving the environment. Three types: 1.Environmental Improvements 2.Housing Improvements 3.Public-Utility Expansion THE SOLUTION: SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

Buildup of the Production Infrastructure Farm Road Expansion Small-Scale Irrigation Projects Road-improvement projects Implications: Fostered agricultural productivity Income-Augmentation Program Livestock raising, cash crops, development of specialized production areas, group farming, and establishment of factories Implications: Increase of farm income sources THE SOLUTION: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Environment Oriented Projects  Income Oriented Projects Extensive Participation Training and Education “Leadership is a prerequisite for self-reliant and self-sustaining community development.” (pg. 413) THE PROCESS: KEY COMPONENTS

THE PROCESS: PLANNING & STRATEGY Provincial Level County Level Myon (Township) Level Village & Village Members Principles of Operation 1.The best-first principle 1.Basic (Underdeveloped) Village 2.Self-Help (developing) Village 3.Self- Reliant (developed) Village 2.The step-wise principle 3.The learning-by-doing principle 4.The matching-fund principle

THE IMPLICATIONS: SAEMAUL MOVEMENT Effects on the Environment Water Supply Systems and Sewage Systems Expansion of electrical and communication networks resulted improved communication and transportation to and from urban and rural communities. Effects on Farm Income Cash crops and livestock raising Area specialization Group farming and marketing Effects on Employment Lack of Data Absorb idle labor force during agricultural off-season Effects on Rural Savings

CRITICISMS & LESSONS: SAEMAUL MOVEMENT CRITICISMS The “top-down” Approach Effective in mobilizing resources Hindering voluntary participation (?) Pressure to Perform Lack of Horizontal coordinating LESSONS Administration inconsistent with voluntary participation Limits to the authoritarian and bureaucratic approach

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