Civilization for the Few
Sinification
was largely limited in Korea to the elite, who monopolized most political offices and dominated social
life.
Much of
Koreas trade involved supplying luxuries for the elite.
To support
the importation of luxuries, Korea exported raw materials.
Artisans
remained in the lower ranks of Korean society.
Korea failed
to develop a distinctive merchant class.
The lower
ranks of Korean society existed to serve the elite.
Salvationist
Buddhism promised an afterlife as a release from the drudgery of service to the Korean aristocracy.
