EPIK Journals Online Vol. 3 Iss. 01

Enhancing Trust through Group-Affirmation

Author: Eunbin Chung, Ohio State University

Abstract:

In East Asia, memory persists even when it counterproductively interferes with rational self-interest. This paper is based on a pilot study that was conducted as part of a larger project that aims to find what can improve relations between countries where animosity from past interactions vividly lasts and inhibits cooperation, even when they do not actually pose a serious, realistic threat to each other. Here, I specifically focus on levels of trust as an indicator of group relations. I argue that group-affirmation increases levels of trust, measured by payment amounts between Chinese, Korean, and Japanese nationals in a trust game. My findings have implications for international peace and reconciliation policy: where negative emotions last between groups with different social identities, the remedy might not be to pursue a weakening or erosion of identities, but counter-intuitively, to strengthen them.

Key Words: group-affirmation, trust, social identity, intergroup relations

Full Context: PDF [Full Statement]

EPIK Journals Online Vol. 3 Iss. 02  

EPIK Young Leaders Essay Competition 2012 Award-Winning Work (2nd Prize)

Cities of the Future: Korea and United Arab Emirates’ Urban Agenda

Author: Jung Hee Hyun, Columbia University

Introduction:

More than 50% of the world’s population lives in cities today. By 2050, an estimated 70% of the world population will live in cities. China alone is expected to have 15 super-cities with an average population of 25 million by 2025 (Europe will have none). Even Africa's urbanization rate is approaching China's – the continent has as many cities with a population of 1 million or more. These developments are testament to the shift in new regional centers from traditionally western cities, such as New York and London, to those beyond the Atlantic sphere. Cities, now and then, have always mirrored the happenings of global change as a microcosm, a laboratory of human and social interaction. They fluidly transform with the people and have always been ahead in innovation, unafraid of change, outliving countries and empires...(Continued)

Full Context: PDF [Full Statement]

EPIK Journals Online Vol. 3 Iss. 03 

The impacts of globalization on internal conflict

Author: Injae Hwang, Korea University

Abstract:

The level of internal conflict has increased during the period of globalization. Is this situation accidental? Or, does globalization affect internal conflict systematically? This paper is written for answering the aforementioned questions by using Ordered Logistic Regression method. According to the result, overall globalization increases the level of internal conflict. In particular, economic globalization reduces the level of internal social conflict. However, political globalization and social globalization deteriorate the current conflict situation. Based on the empirical analysis, it can be said that government should take different policy paths economically, politically, and socio-culturally when it handles with the issues on globalization.

Full Context: PDF [Full Statement]