Comment on North Korea.

[Nox]

I saw someone somewhere refer to North Korea as a National Socialist state, it this a fair thing to say?

As far as I knew, Juche was supposedly a branch of Marxism, what is it that makes it similar to National Socialism?

Thanks

[Smyg]

"Fascist" is a far better word to describe North Korea with.

[Apoi_Viitor]

As far as I knew, Juche was supposedly a branch of Marxism, what is it that makes it similar to National Socialism?

North Korea is neither fascist nor national socialist. The people who describe it as such either do so because they simply want to aggravate the people who defend North Korea, or they do so because they are completely clueless about both the history of fascism and North Korea.

[Tommy4ever]

Juche isn't fascist, but its probably equally as bad. It is certainly much, much worse to be a North Korean in 2011 than it was to be a German or Italian in 1936, but North Korea doesn't go around doing the sorts of things to other peoples that the fascist states did.

[Le Socialiste]

I wouldn't say N. Korea is National Socialist...frankly, I don't know what to call it - short of a modern-day dynasty.

Edit - However, I'm nowhere near an expert (obviously). I'm sure there are others who are able to provide a better (deeper) analysis of Juche and its relation - if any - to Marxism. All I see when I look at N. Korea is a monarchist state using its cult of personality and military as a way of maintaining power. I'm sure there are others who can explain it better.

[CommieTroll]

Its a scar on the face of Socialism, nothing more. Its pathetic that people even claim it resembles Socialism or Marxism at all. I'm waiting to see what some people here have to say about the glorious system of Juche:rolleyes: cough.cough RevleftByBirth cough.cough

[Dogs On Acid]

North Korea is an interesting merge of Despotism and State Capitalism. I find it quite unique actually.

[gendoikari]

North korea is insanity made form. I doubt anyone can really understand it in it's current form.

[Dogs On Acid]

North korea is insanity made form. I doubt anyone can really understand it in it's current form.

Why? Is it metaphysical? :rolleyes:

[gendoikari]

Why? Is it metaphysical? :rolleyes:

No it's the cult of personality surrounding the Kims. The people have been under their thumb so long even they are starting to believe it. True brainwashing, done over generations. They revere him so much they would do anything he says, or at least are so afraid. I don't know if anyone can tell cause you rarely get a real answer out of them. and then we have Kim jong Il himself. A complete loony toon with about as much grasp on reality as a horny teenager has on a stripper pole.

[Apoi_Viitor]

Juche isn't fascist, but its probably equally as bad. It is certainly much, much worse to be a North Korean in 2011 than it was to be a German or Italian in 1936, but North Korea doesn't go around doing the sorts of things to other peoples that the fascist states did.

Unless you were Jewish...

[gendoikari]

Has everyone forgotten that the jews were NOT the first ones the germans came for?

[Dogs On Acid]

No it's the cult of personality surrounding the Kims. The people have been under their thumb so long even they are starting to believe it. True brainwashing, done over generations. They revere him so much they would do anything he says, or at least are so afraid. I don't know if anyone can tell cause you rarely get a real answer out of them. and then we have Kim jong Il himself. A complete loony toon with about as much grasp on reality as a horny teenager has on a stripper pole.

That critique is very Un-Marxist of you and lacking of a Materialist analysis of the situation in NK.

[Outlaws]

It is a Stalinist state.

[gendoikari]

That critique is very Un-Marxist of you and lacking of a Materialist analysis of the situation in NK.

that's kind of the point, you can't really get in. But there are some reporters that have gotten in. I'll find a link to the one I was mostly referring to.

[Dogs On Acid]

that's kind of the point, you can't really get in. But there are some reporters that have gotten in. I'll find a link to the one I was mostly referring to.

You only see what the news channel wants you to see. Take these reports with some Skepticism and realize that's only 1 side to the story.

By the way, I've seen quite a few reports on NK.

[gendoikari]

You only see what the news channel wants you to see. Take these reports with some Skepticism and realize that's only 1 side to the story.

By the way, I've seen quite a few reports on NK.

So what do you think, you think the citizens are truely bying into the cult of personality, are just too afraid to do anything, or some combination in between?

[Dogs On Acid]

So what do you think, you think the citizens are truely bying into the cult of personality, are just too afraid to do anything, or some combination in between?

They are brainwashed. But so are most people in a Capitalist society, so nothing new here...

Do they live in fear? Well I can't give you a straight answer because I'm not a North Korean. Emotional feelings like Love, Fear, Bonding, Worship, etc. are completely subjective.

I can easily draw a comparison between the so called NK's worship of Kim, and the Soviet's worship of Lenin.

[DarkPast]

They are brainwashed. But so are most people in a Capitalist society, so nothing new here...

Do they live in fear? Well I can't give you a straight answer because I'm not a North Korean. Emotional feelings like Love, Fear, Bonding, Worship, etc. are completely subjective.

One of the documentaries I watched claimed that quite a few North Koreans are aware their government is lying to them, but they're afraid that, should it fall, they'd end up as cheap labour in Chinese factories.

So yeah, if they're afraid of Kim and co., they're even more afraid of becoming a foreign puppet.


I can easily draw a comparison between the so called NK's worship of Kim, and the Soviet's worship of Lenin.

Hm... Lenin was "worshipped" as a hero, but the Kims are worshipped more like gods - I mean, just look at the official biographies... some give them literally superhuman characteristics.

The only direct comparison I can think of is with the pharaohs of ancient Egypt, who were considered living gods.

[piet11111]

National socialist ? north korea is not a nazi country.

Its its own brand of "socialism" called Juche

[gendoikari]

National socialist ? north korea is not a nazi country.

Its its own brand of "socialism" called Juche

actually if you read juche, even the kims don't follow it.

[Dogs On Acid]

National socialist ? north korea is not a nazi country.

Its its own brand of "socialism" called Juche

Anyone who calls NK National Socialist is obviously ignorant.

[Commissar Rykov]

I would say the DPRK is some kind of bizarre Monarchy in the way it is run since leadership is via birthright. The Kim Dynasty initially used Marxism to likely gather support from the Soviets but I have a hard time believing they were really serious about it looking at how Il Sung appointed his son heir apparent and Jong Il has done the same.

[Reznov]

"Fascist" is a far better word to describe North Korea with.

You can't even explain what Fascism is, or why North Korea is Fascist.

[Frank Zapatista]

"Fascist" is a far better word to describe North Korea with.
Ugh, I see this word thrown around here all the time and it's never with any understanding of the word. This is fascist, that is fascist, the government is fascist, everyone is fascist. Fascism is an actual political ideaology with actual views. Not every non-Communist/Anarchist is a Fascist, in fact, Fascists make up such a small minority in modern politics, I doubt you've ever dealt with one.