Professor Park Gu-yong speaks about 'From Mobilization to Companionship' – A Turning Point for Metacognition and Democracy

From Dongwon to Donghaeng: Why This Transition Matters Right Now

Modern democracy is no longer simply a matter of electoral systems or power transitions. It represents a fundamental shift in governance philosophy, moving from a "mobilization system" to a "co-travel system." Professor Park Gu-yong refers to this as a transition from a vertical hierarchical order to a horizontal co-subjectivity. "Mobilization" is a call from above. Power commands, and citizens comply. In contrast, "co-travel" is a structure where the legitimacy of power derives from citizen participation. This change is not merely an evolution of political systems, but the result of a philosophical shift in which citizens recognize themselves as the subjects of governance. Professor Park describes this emergence as the rise of "metacognitive citizens." Currently, Korean society stands on the threshold of this transition.

Philosophy of Mobilization - Arche and Hierarchy

Western ancient philosophy has focused on exploring the 'Arche' of the world. This way of thinking has also been applied to politics, raising questions such as "What is the foundation of the state?" and "Who should rule?" These questions, centered on essence, inevitably justify hierarchy. Power flows from top to bottom, and governance is explained through a order based on divinity or lineage. In this system, there are no citizens. There are only "entities that can be mobilized." Professor Park refers to this as "the era when the monarch was the Arche of the world." Here, democracy cannot operate because there is no subject.

Conditions for Accompaniment - Tax Evasion and Citizen Agency

The companionship system is based on the subject rather than the fundamental. Professor Park finds the possibility of implementing an ideal mixed regime in Korean politics. The president occupies the position of a monarch, the National Assembly plays the role of aristocracy, and citizens are participants with inherent subjectivity. When these three elements are composed of ability and participation without hereditary succession, a democratic republic functions properly. Korea has already demonstrated the possibility of this transition through two presidential impeachments, the restoration of constitutional order, and candlelight demonstrations. Substantial participation, monitored power, and ability-based power restructuring are laying the groundwork for 'companion democracy.'

The Emergence of Metacognitive Citizens – The Evolution of Modern Philosophy

The subject is not simply 'an existing human.' Professor Park emphasizes the importance of metacognition through the evolution of modern philosophy. If Descartes declared, 'I think, therefore I am' and brought forth the subject, Kant expanded this further by establishing 'the me that is conscious of thinking me' as a condition of the subject, which refers to transcendental awareness. A citizen in a democracy must also be a metacognitive being. To become a subject of democracy, one must be able to reflect on the judgments they make and the reasons behind their choices. Power lacking metacognition cannot control itself, leading to a regression of democracy. Professor Park demonstrates this through the Yoon Suk-yeol administration and warns of the dangers of power without philosophy.

Conflict of Structure and Subject – Philosophical Clashes of the 20th Century

The 19th century was dominated by human-centered optimism. However, in the 20th century, the two world wars revealed the harsh reality that humans cannot be absolute subjects. Structuralism and postmodernism argue that human actions are constrained and constructed by structures, shaking the position of the 'subject.' This philosophical debate leaves deep cracks in the practice of democracy. However, Professor Park still asserts that only metacognitive citizen subjects can reconstruct democracy. The awareness of recognizing and transcending structures is, in fact, the core driving force of democracy.

Philosophical Citizen - The Next Step of Democracy

‘Companionship’ cannot be established merely through procedural participation. It requires metacognitive citizens, in other words, philosophical citizens. Professor Park states that Korean democracy stands at the forefront of global democracy. However, he simultaneously warns of risk factors such as anti-political sentiment, attempts at hereditary reconstruction of power, and the moral reduction of politics. Politics cannot be explained solely by morality, but a politics devoid of moral sentiment cannot exist. The ‘Companionship system’ demands this balance. It is not the parties or the president, but the citizens themselves who are the subjects of democracy, and these citizens must be beings capable of practicing philosophical thought.

Conclusion: Democracy that starts now, here

The thoughts of Professor Park Gu-yong are not merely a philosophy lecture. It is a declaration of democracy that philosophically insight into the realities faced by Korean society and opens up the possibility of deeper self-awareness for citizens. The shift from mobilization to companionship is not solely a task for Korea. It is a response to the crisis faced by global democracy today and an opportunity for citizen subjects to be reborn. Metacognitive citizens, power structures wary of hereditary systems, politics that retain reflection and emotion. This is the next stage of democracy. If philosophy is asking where we currently stand, determining where we should go next is the responsibility of the citizens. The direction is clear. From mobilization to companionship, from control to reflection. South Korea stands on that threshold, with awakened citizens at its center.