Maoist Position On Juche

[Entrails Konfetti]

I've been seeing that the ideology of DPRNK, Juche is supported by Maoists.
Well not the ideology in itself the leaders of NK who hold this ideology are supported mostly by Maoists.

I know that that they support NK for its self-determination against imperialism but you never hear any mention of what their opinion on this Confusian-based ideology is. Afterall didn't the Maoists try to erase Confusianism through the Cultural Revolution?

[Andy Bowden]

Most orthodox Maoist parties I know off attack Juche as "revisionist", and attack the DPRK Govt for replacing "Marxism-Leninism" in their constitution with "Juche".

[Janus]

How does Juche relate to Confucianism? Confucianism is a a system of philosophical/ethical guidelines and deals with relationships and certain other themes while Juche is more or less principles concerning state policy. The two are quite separate.

[Entrails Konfetti]

Originally posted by [email protected] 11 2006, 05:51 PM
How does Juche relate to Confucianism? Confucianism is a a system of philosophical/ethical guidelines and deals with relationships and certain other themes while Juche is more or less principles concerning state policy. The two are quite separate.
Well this is what I've heard about the make-up of Juche:


Current leader Kim Jong-il has final authority in North Korea over the interpretation of Juche. In its theoretical composition, the Juche Idea is an amalgam of Neo-Confucianism, Soviet Stalinism and Maoism.

From Wikipedia (not the most reliable source in the world) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juche#Theory)

[Janus]

Since I do not have a comprehensive knowledge of Juche, I can't say for sure. But if that is the case, then that neo-Confucianism must be buried pretty deep.

Confucianism had huge influences in many Asian nations particularly China and Korea so it is difficult for many ideologies to shake off certain aspects.

[Zero]

Well I've noticed we've had an influx of Juche's, so one of them should roll around soon...

[Amusing Scrotum]

For an insight, try the following:

The Juche idea (http://www.etext.org/Politics/MIM/wim/wyl/juche.html)

A Line on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (http://www.etext.org/Politics/MIM/countries/korea/lineonnkorea.html) (From 1992, but it gives an insight about what the Maoist approach may entail.)

That's all I could find because, for some reason, I couldn't seem to find a decent combination of keywords that would yield results....and Chairman Bob doesn't seem to have an official opinion this.

[Entrails Konfetti]

Hiero, Comrade Marcel, Fly By, Red Heretic, what do you all have to say?

[BobKKKindle$]

How does Juche relate to Confucianism? Confucianism is a a system of philosophical/ethical guidelines and deals with relationships and certain other themes while Juche is more or less principles concerning state policy. The two are quite separate.

One of the most fundamental elements of Confucianism as a Social, Philisophical, and Politican philosophy is the 'Five Cardinal Relationships' which Confucius believed to be the foundations for a secure and cohesive society, one of these relationships being the alleigance between the Ruler of Society and his/her Subjects. This Relationship is manifested in North Korean Society through the Personality Cult of Kim Jong il and Kim il Sung. A Second Cardinal Relationship is that of father and son, which is manifested in the Kim Dynasty, Kim Jong il being the 'heir' to Kim Il Sung. As an ideology, Juche does not explictly advocate a personality cult of Confucian relations, but implictly there are elements of Confucianism and Korean History as a whole - many writers on the DPRK (such as Paul French) feel that The concept of Self Reliance is derived from Korea's routine domination by foreign powers in the past, for instance.

I am currently trying to mentally achieve a synthesis between the Self-Reliance and Opposition to Imperialism of Juche and the Liberty and Anti-Authoritarianism of Anarcho Syndicalism. I feel that a high level of national independence will be required following the revolution, as the State may be subject to Economic sanctions and even military blockade by foreign powers. However, the industrialisation that would be required to achieve seems to require a strong centralized state economic apparatus that could put the freedom of the individual at risk.


"To Leave ones economic lifeline in the hands of others is to put the worker's revolution at risk"

As for Relations between Maoism and Juche, KIm Il Sung was somewhat unique amongst Socialist leaders during the Cold War in that he resisted any form of Foreign Domination, particualry following the Sino Soviet Split after which Both the PRc and the USSr tried to establish influence over smaller Socialist States. As Such, Kim il Sung was highly critical of both the PRC and the USSR, referring to both as revisionist powers. North Korea aspired to become a leader of the 'non aligned movement; to no avail.

[Entrails Konfetti]

Originally posted by [email protected] 17 2006, 04:12 AM
I am currently trying to mentally achieve a synthesis between the Self-Reliance and Opposition to Imperialism of Juche and the Liberty and Anti-Authoritarianism of Anarcho Syndicalism.
how is Juche imperialistic if its confined to the state of North Korea?

[BobKKKindle$]

how is Juche imperialistic if its confined to the state of North Korea?

Perhaps I was not clear; I meant that Juche is an ideology that oppossed Imperialism and domination by Capitalist Powers and State Capitalist Imperialists, and it does so through building economic independence from Capitalist Countries


"Building an independent national economy on the principle of self-reliance does not mean building an economy in Isolation; an independent National economy is oppossed to economic domination and subjagation, but it does not rule out internatonal economic cooperation. Close economic and technical relations between Socialist and newly-formed Nations."

[Iranon]

As for Relations between Maoism and Juche, KIm Il Sung was somewhat unique amongst Socialist leaders during the Cold War in that he resisted any form of Foreign Domination, particualry following the Sino Soviet Split after which Both the PRc and the USSr tried to establish influence over smaller Socialist States. As Such, Kim il Sung was highly critical of both the PRC and the USSR, referring to both as revisionist powers. North Korea aspired to become a leader of the 'non aligned movement; to no avail.

The Sino-Soviet split wasn't over who controlled what smaller socialist states - it was over Mao's upholding Stalin and the Soviet denunciation of Stalin and re-introduction of Capitalism.

Also, how is trying to avoid the conflict caused by the Sino-Soviet split unique in North Korea's case? Vietnam and Yugoslavia did it, too. Hell, Albania was all alone after Mao's death.

Finally, can you provide documentation of Kim Il-Sung denouncing either the USSR or PRC as revisionist?

[BobKKKindle$]

Source : Rodong Sinmun, 1985, quoted in Korea Today, 1990 (In Reference to the Re-establishement of Relations and trade between the Republic of Korea and Moscow)


The Soviet Union is going downhill to ruin, floundering in Chaos and Confusion in the Vortex of perestroika......The Soviet Union sold off the dignity and honor of a Socialist Power and the interests and faith of an ally for 2.3 billion dollars

See: Comrades And Strangersm Behind the Closed Doors of North Korea, Michael Harrold, page 236

[Janus]

This Relationship is manifested in North Korean Society through the Personality Cult of Kim Jong il and Kim il Sung. A Second Cardinal Relationship is that of father and son, which is manifested in the Kim Dynasty, Kim Jong il being the 'heir' to Kim Il Sung. As an ideology, Juche does not explictly advocate a personality cult of Confucian relations, but implictly there are elements of Confucianism and Korean History as a whole - many writers on the DPRK (such as Paul French) feel that The concept of Self Reliance is derived from Korea's routine domination by foreign powers in the past, for instance.
I see though I have never heard of either of the Kims becoming the mandate of heaven.