The compelling question for this inquiry calls on students to consider whether conglomerates are good for the economy. Specifically, this focused inquiry is a case study of South Korean conglomerations, known as chaebols. After the Korean War, large sums of money were given to a handful of corporations (Samsung, Lotte, Hyundai, Daewoo, etc.) in order to spur economic growth in the South. The chaebols, including Samsung, Hyundai, and Daewoo, would play an important role in spurring economic growth by focusing on the export of cheap electroinc goods. At the same time, these chaebols were protected by the government because of the belief that they were “too big to fail.” Currently, corrupt business practices by chaebol leaders have led some Koreans to question whether or not chaebols should be dismantled. In this focused inquiry, students will work with a variety of sources in order to answer whether or not such conglomerates or chaebols are good for the economy. Although the focus of this inquiry is on Korean conglomerates, this examination has students wrestle with the idea of how countries should develop economically.
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About the inquiry
Compelling Question
Are Conglomerates Good for the Economy?
Staging Question
Examine a set of economic datagraphics and create a claim about the the economic health of the Republic of Korea.
What is a chaebol?
Formative TasksWrite a definition of a chaebol and describe its significance to the Korean economy.
SourcesSource A: Article, “Money, Power, Family: Inside South Korea’s Chaebol” (excerpt), New York Times, February 17, 2017
Source B: Bar graph, economic weight of chaebol as a percentage of South Korean economy, using data from the Korea Fair Trade Commission
What are the benefits and drawbacks of chaebols?
Formative TasksCreate a graphic organizer showing evidence of the benefits and drawbacks of the chaebol system.
SourcesSource A: Video, “How Samsung Dominates South Korea’s Economy,” CNN, February 17, 2017
Source B: Timeline, “South Korea’s Conglomerates,” Sage Business Researcher, August 21, 2017
Source C: Article, “The Death of Daewoo,” The Economist, August 19, 1999
Source D: Article, “South Korea’s Moon Vows to Rev Up Jobs and Rein in ‘Chaebol,’” Nikkei Asian Reivew, May 18, 2017
Source E: Documentary film, “The Legacy,” Korean War Legacy Project, 2018
Summative Performance Task
Argument: Are conglomerates good for the economy? Use evidence to construct a claim and a counterclaim that address the compelling question.
Extension: Use gapminder.org to research the impact of South Korea’s economic boom on its society, health, environment, education, and infrastructure in order to revise or strengthen your argument.
Taking Informed Action
No data found.