From a conversation w/ a very knowledgeable FB friend w/ slight modification: External threats, including under-development, leads to increased social centralism (e.g., collective action), a process that is often tumultuous. In times of crises, leaders need to use that to develop and strengthen the country. If they squander that through self enrichment at the expense of socio-economic development, they lose legitimacy. Needless to say, DPRK is a country in transition. The disintegration of the PDS, Arduous March, and the rise of private enterprising have resulted in individualism being on the rise. However, KJU has inherited a collective legacy (albeit one based on a war hero personality cult) and he and his supporters are trying to maintain, trying to evolve themselves with the changing circumstances. And yes, he (and his cohorts) may have to send some people to early retirement, graves or the camps to make this happen - to reinforce his arguments for collective action aligned with him over alternative plans they perceive as being too risky. He can do this because strong forces which promote/enforce collective action remain - which is the same domestic crisis and relatedly the same external threats. Its easier to do this because of all the institutions that had been developed to deal with them previously and he has inherited the control over the state apparatus. Note that centralization/centralism here is not meant an ideology of collectivism or even the socialist spirit. Im referring to social behaviors and social outcomes. Large scale external or domestic crises promote collective behaviors designed to address the crises. It does not have to be everybody agreeing on what is necessary to overcome the crises. Solutions can percolate up via whatever decision making social structures are extant in the society. Its just that incumbents enjoy strong advantages generally, and especially in DPRK. Leaders will emerge to enforce collective action and with the application of sufficient intentional and non-intentional suasion and deprivations, the population will follow suit. Unless there is a high degree of consensus, internal capabilities, and rule of law, the process will rarely be peaceful but rife with social tumult or penetrated by alien forces and either sabotaged or co-opted as competitors or stumbling blocks are knocked out and society is reorganized to promote efficient application of the solutions.
Posted on: Thu, 28 Nov 2013 02:19:26 +0000
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