Analyzing Roh Moo-hyuns Tenure as President in terms of Maslows Hierarchy of Needs - Essay Example

A larger part of his tenure was marred by constant allegations of corruption both at a personal level as well as within segments of his governments and the ruling party. This led to the characterization of his political idealism as both attractive and discouraging for the citizens as he eventually became a victim of the cracks and flaws in the Korean system that he had set out to conquer. When analyzing his tenure as president in terms of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, it is apparent that Roh’s quest was aimed at perceiving the ultimate goal of self-actualization.

In doing so, the president was trying to advance his fullest potential and was expressing his motives for doing everything that he could possibly do to achieve a clean political system. The level of self-actualization is further visible as Roh was further acting towards the specific goal of bringing in a political revolution. Roh’s public appeal in the country had constantly risen through the success of his populist policies with the people and is evident from his successful presidential campaign in 2002 that was driven on an agenda of anti-corruption.

In this context, Roh Moo-hyun had always maintained his self-respect and dignity in his life’s mission and was not seeking glory as is evident from his ultimate decision to commit suicide. Thus, the fact that he had risen through the political hierarchy to upset the opposition presidential candidate provides evidence of his attainment of respect from others as well as astute self-respect in fighting for human rights that became his mission in life, thereby categorizing him as a self-actualized person.

Alas, it was the same and impossible political idealism that Roh Moo-hyun set out to achieve which ultimately consumed his political career. He and his followers were considered to be staunch believers of reform in Korean politics and society, but they could not dissociate themselves from the same failings that continued to plague society. The manner in which Roh Moo-Hyun decided to end his life suggests that he had lost that sense of self-actualization a long time back and was also low on self-esteem.