Juche Theory

[MiDnIgHtMaRaUdEr]

I've recently been wading through some Juche Theory (that of North Korea's Kim Jong Il), but it sounds pretty identical to traditional Marxism-Leninism. Is anyone here familiar to the Juche ideology and can point out some key differences that separate it from the mainstream Marxism-Leninism?

[The Feral Underclass]

National Self reliance is one of the main philosophies i think. Her believed that communist countries should become self reliant both economically and politically.

[Saint-Just]

Differences are Juche created the theory of a man-centred world, it gave much significance to patriotism and developed theories on culture, something M-L does not address in the same way. It also talks about many things that have arisen from the practice of M-L rather than the theory of it.

The revolutionary world outlook of the working class had been established by Marxism for the first time, and it was developed by the Juche idea onto a new, higher plane for its perfection.
The Juche idea, the revolutionary world outlook representing a new era in history, the Juche age, is rightly leading the onward movement of mankind aspiring to independence and sovereignty, socialism and communism. while sweeping away all the reactionary and counter-revolutionary currents of thoughts.
It marked a new, higher stage in the development of the working-class revolutionary theory. Therein lies another historic contribution of the Juche idea to the revolutionary cause of the working class and the cause of liberation of humanity.
An age had passed and the revolutionary movement had gone a long way since the birth of the revolutionary theory of the working class. Revolutionary practice in the new era demanded that the revolutionary theory be developed in a way which was suitable to new historic conditions. The Juche idea propounded the basic principle of revolution that the masses of the people are masters and the motive force of the revolution and construction and, on this basis, rendered it possible to evolve new revolutionary theories required by our time.


It has the idea that man has innate qualities, independance, creativity and conscioussness. It explains the development of societies and gives a new view of class struggle. It is not as deterministic as Marxism, although M-L is not particularly deterministic either. It says history is a struggle of the masses trying to realise Chajusong etc. against oppressors.

The key part of Juche is 'man-centred socialism'. Self sufficiency is important to it because Juche says that a nation should not become dependant on bigger powers. Also, it says that culture should be maintained and that a nation should only adopt what is good from other cultures whilst maintaining its own culture, and certainly not give in to cultural imperialism.

Patriotism is also important to Juche. In that one should love their country and want what is best for it: socialism. In addition, Juche wants to create an ideologically homogenous society. The most important part of Juche is the philosophy, that is what distinguishes it from M-L. They say that Juche is the first to realise certain things about man.

Kim Jong Il/Kim Il Sung:

‘…[Juche]constitute a brilliant example in adhering to the revolutionary principles of Marxism-Leninism and developing the revolutionary theory of the working class onto a new, higher plane.’
‘the Juche idea expounded the laws which are peculiar to social history.’

Now I will explain some main concepts of Juche. The Juche philosophy elucidates that main is a highest product of the material world, the most complex organism. However, man is different and rises above every other organism because of three factors; Independence (Chajusong), creativity and consciousness. Independence because man in is the master of his world. Creativity because man he can transform the world. Consciousness is presupposed to create independence and creativity.
Man is different in that he is a social being who can form a social collective in which social relations will arise. He gains Chajusong, creativity and consciousness through living in a social collective, developing through social relations. The most important relation being that of class, and throughout history class struggle let the masses gain chajusong, creativity and consciousness. The masses can only achieve their full potential in this state by the annihilation of those who deny these 3 factors that make man progress; those who deny it are the exploitative ruling class.
At the beginning of time chajusong, creativity and consciousness were low, throughout history they developed correspondent to the development of society as they are the driving force behind progression. The realisation of chajusong, creativity and consciousness are the very essence of social progression.

It is the masses that have constructed the DPRK. People did not become politicised in a few years. Material conditions and learning were necessary for politicisation. This politicisation pre-scribes the conditions for an independant and creative society. Without being socialist and politicised the workers cannot release their independance and creativity. Therefore it is only once they have been politicised that they may fully support the construction and revolution.

Kim Jong Il:

the party as a political leadership body is inconceivable; separated from the masses, the party cannot lead the revolution and construction to victory.'

'The Juche idea allows to create an indescribable unity between the people’s masses and the leader, so in this way an independent and sovereign state can be built and the people can use their talent and power for their economic benefit.'

‘Socialist ideology develops the masses into independent people who
are conscious of their independence and creative ability, while
reactionary bourgeois ideas reduce them to servants who obey the
domination of capital, to ideological and mental cripples.’

‘[Where]oppression and capital hold sway – the masses’ consciousness
of their independence is suppressed. [By] falsehood and deception,
imperialists and reactionaries benumb the masses’ uncorrupted minds….
This is the very ideological suppression which stops the development
of people’s consciousness of their independence. It is criminal
ideological indoctrination, which forces reactionary ideas on
people.’

‘[Under socialism]Only then can they free themselves once and for all
from the influence and shackles of all kinds of outmoded ideas…. Only
then can everyone develop his individuality, aspirations, wisdom and
talent in an all-round way. Because it is the most revolutionary
ideology and champions and realizes the masses independence,
socialist ideology serves as a weapon for genuine ideological and
human emancipation. It ensures the unlimited development of people’s
ideologies and mental qualities. Socialist ideology is the sum total
of the development of human ideas’

'The party is in a position of leadership in relation to the masses. But this does not mean that the party is something that has been placed over the masses. The party is the guiding, hard-core force of the masses themselves. That a party could exist seperated from the masses, is unthinkable. By the party leading the masses we do not mean that the party places its subjective will upon the masses but that, based on scientific incite into their desires and interests, it sets correct fighting targets and leads the masses to attain them.

If officials lack the understanding that the masses are the masters of the revolution, they will look down upon the masses, shout at them, wield party authority and behave bureaucratically by regarding themselves as special beings that stand over the masses. This is and ideological hangover of the ruling class of the old society, which exploited and oppressed the working masses.

An individual, however wise and able he may be, can assimilate only a very limited part of the human wisdom and strength that have accumulated down the ages. The popular masses alone fully embody all the social wealth that mankind has accumulated historically and have the creative ability to shape their own destiny by harnessing nature and transforming society and people themselves.'

This is one of Kim Jong Il's answers towards revisionism:

‘If ideological work is not carried out, people’s revolutionary enthusiasm may gradually cool down. The tendency to live in comfort may grow among them, since they are free from any worries in socialist society and continue to lead stable lives. Then they cannot devote themselves to the struggle of socialism and worse still, they may be duped by misleading imperialists’ and reactionary propaganda into harbouring illusions about capitalism and going the length of betraying socialism. This is testified by how socialism collapsed in several countries which abandoned ideological work and opened their door to the ideological and cultural infiltration of imperialism.’

Does this following quote seem familiar, its very much a Marxist interpretation of history:

The history of human society ever since its division into hostile classes has, above all, been a history of social revolutions to realize social and political Chajusong for the popular masses. Through social revolutions the masses have carved out their destiny and developed society. Owing to slilve revolts which were, so to speak. the first struggle in history of the exploited working masses for Chajusong, and to peasant struggles against feudalism in the Middle Ages, the slavery and the feudal system collapsed. That meant progress in the struggle of the working masses for Chajusong. But this was only a replacement or the chains of slavery with feudal fetters, which in turn were replaced with the yoke of capital, not the abolition of class domination and oppression itself. In the history of human society, capitalism is the last exploiting system which tramples upon the masses' aspirations and demand for Chajusong. It is a violently oppressive system which combines class domination with national oppresion.

The differences are to some extent small perhaps. But they are there.

[MiDnIgHtMaRaUdEr]

Hmmm, personally the nationalist/patriotism/self-sufficiency thing doesn't appeal too much to me, it sounds rather rightist compared to other communist ideologies. Anyways, I was just curious as to what exactly it was, and reading 345980 pages of Juche that sounded very much like Marxism-Leninism was kinda making my little head spin, and I was having a bit of trouble finding the differences between the Juche Idea and traditional Marxism-Leninism, Thanks.

[Saint-Just]

All socialist states have been patriotic. Read Kim Jong Il and you can see that, like deGaulle he says patriotism is a love for one's people. Knowing socialism and internationalism is best for one's people makes you a true and honest patriot.

In addition, all socialist states have tried to become self-sufficient, and often succeeded well to a large degree. Today, the DPRK has an even greater need to maintain self-sufficiency.

[MiDnIgHtMaRaUdEr]

I feel that love for one's people and wanting what is best for your country, should instead be love for all people, and wanting what is best for the world. Which is why global revolution and unification should be the top priority.

[Saint-Just]

:lol: Fine, I won't bother arguing with you, you have read to much Trotsky. The DPRK do support international revolution. But their priority and their priority in creating a revolution within their society was to bring socialism to their people.