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The real North Korea : life and politics in the failed Stalinist utopia

Title
The real North Korea : life and politics in the failed Stalinist utopia / Andrei Lankov.
Author
Lanʹkov, A. N. (Andreĭ Nikolaevich)
Publication
Oxford : Oxford University Press, [2013]

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StatusFormatAccessCall NumberItem Location
TextUse in library JFE 13-5194Schwarzman Building - Main Reading Room 315

Details

Description
xv, 283 pages, 16 pages of plates : illustrations (some color); 25 cm
Summary
"In The Real North Korea, Lankov substitutes cold, clear analysis for the overheated rhetoric surrounding this opaque state. After providing an accessible history of the nation, he turns his focus to what North Korea is, what its leadership thinks, and how its people cope with living in such an oppressive and impoverished place. He argues that North Korea is not irrational, and nothing shows this better than its continuing survival against all odds. A living political fossil, it clings to existence in the face of limited resources and a zombie economy, manipulating great powers despite its weakness. Its leaders are not ideological zealots or madmen, but perhaps the best practitioners of Machiavellian politics that can be found in the modern world. Even though they preside over a failed state, they have successfully used diplomacy - including nuclear threats - to extract support from other nations. But while the people in charge have been ruthless and successful in holding on to power, Lankov contends that this cannot continue forever. The old system is slowly falling apart, and in the long run the regime is unsustainable - with or without reform. Indeed, reforms, if attempted, will most likely trigger a dramatic implosion of the regime. They will not prolong its existence."--Book jacket.
Subjects
Bibliography (note)
  • Includes bibliographical references (pages 261-269) and index.
Contents
The society Kim Il Sung built and how he did it -- Two decades of crisis -- The logic of survival (domestically) -- The survival diplomacy interlude -- The contours of a future: what might happen to North Korea in the next two decades -- What to do about the North? -- Being ready for what we wish for -- Conclusion.
Call Number
JFE 13-5194
ISBN
  • 9780199964291 (hardback : acid-free paper)
  • 0199964297 (hardback : acid-free paper)
LCCN
2012046992
OCLC
813930740
Author
Lanʹkov, A. N. (Andreĭ Nikolaevich)
Title
The real North Korea : life and politics in the failed Stalinist utopia / Andrei Lankov.
Publisher
Oxford : Oxford University Press, [2013]
Type of Content
text
Type of Medium
unmediated
Type of Carrier
volume
Bibliography
Includes bibliographical references (pages 261-269) and index.
Research Call Number
JFE 13-5194
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