The Death Of Social Mobility

The income gap is indeed political. Which is why the two most democratic tigers have done the most to redress inequality. Under Chen, Taiwan has expanded national health-insurance coverage, boosted educational stipends and low-interest loans, and bolstered protections offered workers, farmers and the elderly. In South Korea, President Roh has redistributed wealth via higher taxation and expanded social welfare for the poor. Yet the income gap in all four tigers continues to widen—a trend with implications not lost on Koh, the well-to-do shipbuilder. ''I feel sorry for today's youth, who have so much trouble finding jobs." he says. ''Things were tougher in the past, but there were always opportunities, too." The contrast with today couldn't be starker: the tigers have put the days of abject want behind them. Yet they're in danger of losing the dynamism that so recently permitted society's rare talents to flourish regardless of their station.

With B. J. Lee in Seoul and Sonia Kolesnikov-Jessop in Singapore

© 2007