The Cleanest Race : How North Koreans See Themselves - and Why It Matters Pdf, Epub, Ebook

THE CLEANEST RACE : HOW NORTH KOREANS SEE THEMSELVES - AND WHY IT MATTERS PDF, EPUB, EBOOK

B.R. Meyers | 220 pages | 02 Feb 2012 | Melville House Publishing | 9781935554349 | English | Brooklyn, United States The Cleanest Race : How North Koreans See Themselves - and Why It Matters PDF Book Jong-un was not academically talented, and during his secondary education at a private school in Switzerland he is said to have been obsessed with basketball and other sports. VN Ed. Korea Tocus , 13 6 , pp. He simply appears in an undisclosed place and sets off to roam the countryside. Here B. Although the Chinese have never liked the Kim dynasty, they have to deal with the North Korea that exists. Not only does he examine these cults of personality, he explains why, precisely, it is that they work to sway the masses. The implications for US foreign policy— which has hitherto treated North Korea as the last outpost of the Cold War—are as obvious as they are troubling. Harder to deal with, by far, would be to find out that South Koreans are content in their republic. So read this book, struggle through this right-winger-in-denial screed, bear in mind the points that usefully illuminate what you already understand and disregard the rest. We assume that their communism system is a step child of the U. Leisure Studies , 31 3 , pp. No fooling. Benjamin R. The overall effect is bizarre but convincing. View all 34 comments. If you've ever read or heard this sort of stuff, intensify it by an exponential factor, and you'll get an idea of what the North Korean people hear and see everyday. Living in nearly first-world conditions in downtown Pyongyang are several hundred thousand top members of society. Anderson, B. The text itself can be kind of dry at times - not as engaging as I'd hoped - but it's important to push through and keep reading, because the author does a great job not only looking at the cultural mythology and successful cults of personality built up in the country's propaganda apparatus, but using that discussion to explain why Pyongyang will never - CAN never - normalize relations with Washington. Other editions. Really, the whole book's fascinating. Many migrants remember a widespread yearning for war with America during the famine The Soviet Union was a diverse, multi- national state, originally established with hopes of a world socialist revolution, which would expand to Germany, Britain, France and eventually establish global socialism. Jun 07, Emily rated it really liked it Shelves: The author seems to be very on top of their references and, while some topics are slanted in a subjective terminology, never tries to convince you of any one thought or philosophy. But after Kim Il-sung took over the northern half of Korea in , he purged his pro-Soviet and pro-Chinese rivals and constructed a distinctive cult of personality. And the purge underscored a moral difference between the two dictatorships: for all the viciousness of their politics, Chinese politicians do not execute their relatives. For the first time in history a major international summit meeting was held with no substance at all. And they are the kings of spin, all the humanitary aid we having been sending north is labeled "tribute" and is distributed to the people because we admire their racial superiority. I need to learn more about my neighbor to the north. Trivia About The Cleanest Race I don't want to have to read hours and hours of footnotes and then fact check those against their original source and read 2-to-3 more books on the same topic in order to make sure that everyone agrees on the topic. I Not an easy read. Cult of personality surrounding Stalin, Lenin and other communist leaders focused on their devotion to the communist cause, but also stressed their contribution - real and falsified - to scholarly work, not limited to Marxism-Leninism. New York: Times Books. Personnel in the middle layers of privilege are afraid to question the system for fear of being demoted to layers suffering greater privation. Touches on the Leader personality cult, on the role of the Party and the military in the state, on the nature of fine arts and literature in North Korea, on the weakening information cordon sanitare and how the state propaganda machine is struggling to cope with the ch A trim, concise look at the North Korean regime from a centrist academic perspective. The North Korean propaganda machine has done a masterful job of conflating the persistence of the state with the purity of the race. Extra points for brevity. All eventual unions are completely heterosexual - there is absolutely no place for homosexuality, which is universally condemned as a "characteristically American perversion", for which there is no place among the pure Korean people. Without the transcendent individualizing religions that arose in the West with a paternalistic god-concept, the North Korean attaches his need for immortality, his own fear of an existential end, by emphasizing his role in the immortality of the state. The leader must then be shown solving the problem, but without coming off as cerebral and therefore un-Korean. Myers claims that nothing could be further from the truth; there is nothing of "fraternity" and the masculine "fatherland" concepts, nothing of the economic benefits of solidarity, nor is there honoring of ancestors and paternal authority; instead, there is familial feeling, always centered on a cthonic maternal ideal, and the people are not to worry too much about the economy and looking forward the Soviet concept , or the ancient traditions the Confucian ideal , but instead to hold fast to their individual pasts, to hold to their childhoods and the all-engulfing mother-love of the motherland. It's just not for me. Details if other :. Oct 11, chantel nouseforaname rated it liked it Shelves: cultural-commentary , leisure-reads. The Cleanest Race : How North Koreans See Themselves - and Why It Matters Writer

View 1 comment. Although the Chinese have never liked the Kim dynasty, they have to deal with the North Korea that exists. Apr 21, David rated it really liked it. The North Korean propaganda machine has done a masterful job of conflating the persistence of the state with the purity of the race. Myers also points out that we misinterpret Pyongyang. Ideas of racial purity lie at the heart of North Koreans' self-image. At least Myers has his eye on the right ball. He also takes to task South Korean and Chinese historians who interpret North Korea as an extreme example of Confucian polity. The goal is to convey the impression that due to the ruler's unique qualifications and the unanimity of the people's love for him, his rule constitutes the perfect fulfillment of democratic ideals. Most get their romance from films and TV dramas, which still depict love in a twee and formulaic manner reminiscent of Bollywood, with girlfriends summoned by bird-call imitations, courtship conducted while bobbing around a tree, and so on. There is a precedent for this weirdly hermaphroditic parent figure: Emperor Hirohito in fascist, imperial Japan. It's just not for me. More filters. Without the transcendent individualizing religions that arose in the West with a paternalistic god-concept, the North Korean attaches his need for immortality, his own fear of an existential end, by emphasizing his role in the immortality of the state. Therefore Kim is presented as a caring, nurturing figure, personally attending to soldiers and holding them to his bosom, making sure that they have proper food and clothing. He concludes that Mr Kim's power is based not just on surveillance and repression. Yankees are depicted as "an inherently evil race with which Koreans must forever be on hostile terms," he says. In contrast, nationalism plays a central role in North Korean society and is actively encouraged by the government - Myers presents plenty of official propaganda which portrays North Koreans as a unique race, characterized by innocence and spontaneity - clean and pure. To ask other readers questions about The Cleanest Race , please sign up. Enlarge cover. Here too the contrast to Soviet propaganda is stark. The Cleanest Race : How North Koreans See Themselves - and Why It Matters Reviews

South Korean kids entertain themselves by imagining how violent the rest of the world is, compared to tranquil Korea. If you've ever read or heard this sort of stuff, intensify it by an exponential factor, and you'll get an idea of what the North Korean people hear and see everyday. What I truly enjoyed about this book was that it actually stuck to it's title. The latter usually include a rather slow-witted aide - a different man each time, the better to play up his comic astonishment at the leader's every word and deed. Hwang, E. User email. With propaganda as the looking glass, Myers even succeeds in explaining how the regime has maintained its power despite its inconsistencies in governance, and how it manages to convince its people that the food shipments from the U. Sort order. Let the imperialist enemies come at us with their nuclear weapons, for there is no power on earth that can defeat our strength and love and the power of our belief. Anderson, B. Myers makes his case persuasively, presenting the North Korean world view in its own terms as well as how it interacts with the U. And, as what happened when the USSR started reducing the amount of aid, they simply go without. Jan 15, Ronald Schoedel rated it really liked it. When dealing with propaganda to this degree, it can be hard to untangle the propaganda from the reality. For the first time in history a major international summit meeting was held with no substance at all. I finished it with determination. Enlarge cover. It doesn't even pay any attention to Juche Thought an intentionally opaque and vapid pseudo-political theory used as a prop and nothing more. Myers's takedown of literary fiction way back when and was game to give this a try, even though it's on a totally unrelated topic, namely, the political and national mythology of North Korea. This is where the book shines. Nothing at all; just two individuals of doubtful moral character hanging out in a room for forty five minutes pretending to each other and to the world that they were having a world changing international summit meeting. B The DPRK propaganda machine has been able to explain away the ROK's economic success; despite the ROK's economic progress, the story goes, they yearn to reunite, and so will never leave the bargaining table. He simply appears in an undisclosed place and sets off to roam the countryside. What is North Korea?

The Cleanest Race : How North Koreans See Themselves - and Why It Matters Read Online

Myers has extensively researched the topic, as he spares no pain to remind the reader, and he's well-educated, as he stresses to the reader, and then he launches into his premise: the "left" and the "right" are entirely wrong about how to interpret the caprices of DPRK because they don't understand DPRK is entirely motivated by racial purity. Again, myths are recycled from militarist Japan. If this one-sidedness is all you've known, I can understand why they believe what they believe concerning their "Dear Leader" and their position in the world. Myers insists that the ongoing support of the North Korean public for the regime doesn't reflect any great faith in communism. While I enjoyed reading the "official" version of how Kim Il-Sung came to power, overall the book was pretty dull. Racial mixing is considered a treachery, and the hatred of foreigners extends even to friendly communists - Myers cites a brutal attack on a black Cuban family in Pyongyang and beating of Soviet women married to North Korean officials. Giving up nuclear weapons would spell the end. The author looks at the big picture, so big that I lost interest. Error rating book. Kim was painted atop a white charger, like one Hirohito used to ride. Without the transcendent individualizing religions that arose in the West with a paternalistic god-concept, the North Korean attaches his need for immortality, his own fear of an existential end, by emphasizing his role in the immortality of the state. Feb 01, Sara rated it did not like it. Aid becomes tribute, so aid-bags stamped with the stars-and-stripes are tolerated when turned into use as holdalls. This is about North Korean propaganda. Why are we not supporting Internet Explorer? Brand new: Lowest price The lowest-priced brand-new, unused, unopened, undamaged item in its original packaging where packaging is applicable. Oct 12, Principles: Life and Work Oct 03, The Cleanest Race is a short but very interesting and informative book on North Korea, and its unique approach to its subject makes it an important one. What emerges is a regime completely unlike the West's perception of it. I'm knocking a star off purely because you need a bit of grounding in Korean War-era events to grasp some concepts. He also had four daughters, who today occupy posts of varying responsibility in the regime. This book takes a look at the domestic propaganda as opposed to KCNA-type propaganda disseminated for foreign consumption , and what it presents is sad, frightening, and seemingly way over the top, yet absolutely true. As if the poorer Korea could trade a heroic nationalist mission for mere economic growth without its subjects opting for immediate absorption by the rival state! There are no discussion topics on this book yet. All this has a bearing as the diplomatic merry-go-round cranks up again. In contrast to the Stalin cult, with its many paeans to the "light in the Kremlin window," the Text does not associate the leader with any particular residence or workplace; he was and is everywhere, for he is at the heart of every Korean. Details if other :. Young Benjamin R. The official effort of the Soviet Government was to eliminate nationalism, which it believed to be counter-revolutionary and contrary to class struggle, and establish a state where all nationalities were accommodated equally and free to pursue socialism. Myers, a North Korea analyst and a contributing editor of The Atlantic , presents the first full-length study of the North Korean worldview. Unmasked by Andy Ngo , Hardcover No ratings or reviews yet. His excerpts and analysis show that internal propaganda for North Korea is wildly different from that distributed to the West, and what that difference means. The book portrays Korean including south Korean culture as basically conformist. The case is made that the Korean image of itself as a virtuous race of pure childlike people was instilled into the people through decades of the Japanese occupation necessitating the protection of the Emperor , and later became the basis for the Party ideology which truly has almost nothing to do with Marxism or any other variant of communism , and is now the very heart of the identification of the Korean people in the North. Myers claims that nothing could be further from the truth; there is nothing of "fraternity" and the masculine "fatherland" concepts, nothing of the economic benefits of solidarity, nor is there honoring of ancestors and paternal authority; instead, there is familial feeling, always centered on a cthonic maternal ideal, and the people are not to worry too much about the economy and looking forward the Soviet concept , or the ancient traditions the Confucian ideal , but instead to hold fast to their individual pasts, to hold to their childhoods and the all-engulfing mother-love of the motherland. North Korea's propaganda is bizarre, but so are our own so-called authorities on regional politics who qualify every lukewarm guess about the regime with "we really don't know. Therefore Kim is presented as a caring, nurturing figure, personally attending to soldiers and holding them to his bosom, making sure that they have proper food and clothing. At home, the regime recently survived the toughest test that totalitarian systems face, a leadership succession. With guns that I make with my own hands I will shoot them. And the text did not disappoint. Kim Jong Il once told Madeleine Albright, Bill Clinton's secretary of state, that the bombast in honour of himself and his late, great father, Kim Il Sung, was so much nonsense. The counterpart to a childish state at home is a hostile world outside. About the cult of personality: "A personality cult comes into being when a one-man dictatorship presents itself as a democracy. This seems hardly credible to someone outside DPRK but the book explains why this can be true; the North Korean people have been fed a complex but believable narrative about the US and South Korea over the years that can justify such a belief. As the end of his own life approached, Kim Jong-il in turn needed to find a successor among his three male offspring. BR Myers seems pretty convinced that we're going about North Korea in the wrong way, and after reading this, I wanted to cut off foreign aid completely. With very short hair and a soft, pale-moon face marked by small and feminine features, the boy Kim [il Sung] recalls the children pictured in imperial Japanese schoolbooks. Rather, the personality cult proceeds from powerful myths about race and history. 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