이 글은 제주도의 척박성 담론의 실체와 문제, 형성 배경 등을 검토하고 있다. 탐색적이고 시론적 수준이지만, 제시된 반론과 반증들은 이 섬 제주가 결코척박했다고 할 수 없으며 현재도 그럴 수 있음을 말해준다. 오히려 풍요의 섬제주라고 불러야 더 정확하다는 주장이다. 그리하여 척박하지만 아름다운 섬 제주가 아닌 풍요롭고 아름다운 섬 제주를 위한 담론 형성 작업과 연구들이 새로이 시도되어야 할 필요성을 강조한다. 결론으로 척박성 담론에 기댄 개발주의패러다임을 넘어서는, 이른바 풍요의 담론에 의한 새로운 생태주의 패러다임을구축해나가자고 제안한다.
The exploratory approach that this paper suggests is that the discourse around Jeju’s natural resources in terms of economic productivity should be reconsidered. In particular, the focus is on the sterility discourse. It might be argued that, even if not having in-depth theoretical support, empirical and historical evidences demonstrate that Jeju Island was never sterile as much as we have commonsensically thought. In this sense, it could be hypothetically argued that the Jeju Island is affluent rather than sterile. Criticizing the sterility discourse and developing an alternative discourse through which we can newly recognize the Jeju Island can represent it as affluent and beautiful island. In reality, since the sterility discourse has provided the excuse for development, a critical reconsideration of it can give a chance for a new ecological paradigm inspired by the affluence discourse.
The exploratory approach that this paper suggests is that the discourse around Jeju’s natural resources in terms of economic productivity should be reconsidered. In particular, the focus is on the sterility discourse. It might be argued that, even if not having in-depth theoretical support, empirical and historical evidences demonstrate that Jeju Island was never sterile as much as we have commonsensically thought. In this sense, it could be hypothetically argued that the Jeju Island is affluent rather than sterile. Criticizing the sterility discourse and developing an alternative discourse through which we can newly recognize the Jeju Island can represent it as affluent and beautiful island. In reality, since the sterility discourse has provided the excuse for development, a critical reconsideration of it can give a chance for a new ecological paradigm inspired by the affluence discourse.
