Originally posted by
[email protected] 5 2003, 11:25 PM
What continually sticks in people's throats is the suggestion that North Korea has anything in common with socialism aside from scraps of rhetoric; it's the equivalent of saying that "any criticism of Stalin just helps Hitler".
What, the dominant property relations in north Korea have nothing at all in common with socialism? (Obviously, they're not the same thing as socialism, but replacement of capitalist with nationalized property relations in a necessary - though not sufficient - condition for beginning to move toward socialism.)
Why? Because they're setting up an enterprise zone in one part of the country? (And even there, the BBC points out "there are still considerable concerns over whether it will allow businesses much economic freedom....They will be forced to hire workers through a North Korean state agency whose powers and attitude remain unclear." The last - a ban on the direct employment of wage-labor - is true of foreign capitalists investing in Cuba, as well. Although in the case of Cuba only joint ventures are allowed, not wholly-capitalist businesses as seem to be proposed for this "enterprise zone".)
Because you don't like their political leadership? That's the same logic used by hardcore Stalinists to conclude that the USSR became capitalist - poof - when Krushev took over, or that the PRC became capitalist - poof - when Mao's faction fell from power. I've commented before that Redstar's underlying political method, his way of thinking, remains marked by his Stalinist early political training.
it's the equivalent of saying that "any criticism of Stalin just helps Hitler".
Well, those who opposed Stalin "from the left" - really, from a communist direction - didn't make the same attacks that the capitalists did. The center of their criticism was "socialism in one country" and Stalin sabotaging the world revolution in the interests of making deals with the capitalists.
In contrast, your earlier post, and a number of others in this thread, echo standard capitalist rhetoric against north Korea....and that rhetoric serves a definite political purpose. Demonization of an enemy leader is a preparation to to war, as surely as shipping troops to a region.
The only exception was your criticism of Pyongyang for on the "enterprise zones" - clearly the capitalists would not agree with this criticism. It's true, though, that this is under pressure, pressure you are aiding not opposing.
In any case, the overall trend of the criticism in this thread is decidedly familiar to anyone who reads or watches the big-businesss media.
they are starving to death by the thousands. what a tragedy. run by idiots and crazies who of course have big weapons and who of course are being ignored by bush. I am very strongly for the UN stepping in and seriously reconstructing that country.
The people are so brainwashed that even if we deposed of the government they would fight us to the death. They are convinced their leader is some type of god.I could not even imagine living in that hellhole.
a nation run by feudalists who live in palaces, while the workers starve
the leader of a country watching jon wayne films and porn while the people starve
Grow some food maybe? Think that would help? Maybe buy some from China (right next door)?
Maybe spend less on making the capital city a "showplace" and more on improving things in the countryside?
The palaces were just symptoms...of a regime that demonstrated its lack of concern for the people there.
They are extremely corrupt and the beliefs around Kim Jong and his son have been cult like, it is sick. They mixed dynasty, socialism, and religious philosophy to make a orwellian hell of a society. Everyone there is brainwashed and they have death camps for gods sake. This is not a shining example of humanity. Its a black pit from hell!
]North Korea is in shambles... It's a Despotism.. and the people are the one's that suffer..They need to spend some of that nuclear program money on food.. they have dreams of being self sufficient when it isn't realistic..
Does the "great leader" need another Mercedes?
I think the "great leaders" of the "DPRK" are resource-allocation imbeciles!
On what grounds? None of us have ever built a single palace, purchased even one Mercedes, or starved a single Korean. Nor have any of us ever claimed "miraculous" events surrounding our birthdays.
the only word i could use right now to describe the political and economic situations in N. Korea would be MADNESS
threatening the largest world power with nuclear war isnt the greatest idea either, what will it accomplish for the people? nothing
but the DPRK doesnt care about the people anyway
many defend N. Korea by stating their literacy rates and unemployment rates, which would be great if they werent taught how to read in the name of the almighty Eternal President Kim Il Sung
and slaving away for over half a day in a sweat shop producing military equipment isnt exactly promising, especially if you dont have the strength because you have no food
not to mention the infant mortality rate increases severly with each day
Not only are the statements of various posters pretty much indistinguishable from each other, none of those quotes would be out of place in a George Bush speech.
Labelling yourself a "leftist" does not make you automatically immune to capitalist political pressure and the temptation to repeat what you've heard a million times.