KIM COUNTRY: HARD TIMES IN NORTH KOREA

In: New left review: NLR, Heft 198, S. 21-48

Abstract

THE AUTHOR FURNISHES A PORTRAIT OF KIM IL SUNG'S TRANSITION FROM COMMUNIST LIBERATION FIGHTER TO SELF-BESOTTED AUTOCRAT. HE NOT ONLY GIVES MANY DETAILS OF THE NORTH KOREAN REGIME BUT EXPLORES ITS COST TO THE ECONOMY, ITS SOCIAL CONDITIONS, AND ITS LIKELY FATE. HE CONSIDERS THE IMPLICATIONS OF NEWLY-AVAILABLE INFORMATION ABOUT NORTH KOREA'S ROOTS, THE PROCESS OF STATE FORMATION, AND THE ECONOMY.