Re: "State Capitalism"

[Doug Henwood <dhenwood@xxxxxxxxx>]

Louis Proyect wrote:

>Yes, this is the analysis and it is faulty. This type of analysis can not
>distinguish between North Korea and South Korea. Both have extensive
>state-owned industry and employ various forms of planning. The difference
>is that the North had a proletarian revolution and expropriated the
>bourgeoisie, while the South did not.

Yes, and South Korea generated one of the great booms in economic history,
while North Korea is suffering from famine and under the influence of a
truly bizarre personality cult. Now I know that the NY Times is often full
of lies, and no doubt Shawgi Tell will set us straight on this one, but
this item (from a story about the hereditary ascension of Kim Jong Il to
leadership) brightened my morning today:


>Likewise, the Korean press has lately described phenomena
>like trees blossoming out of season, which to Westerners may
>seem an odd thing to make a fuss over but is understandable to
>Korean traditionalists as a sign that the Mandate of Heaven is
>passing.
>
>"On the morning of Sept. 22, fishermen of the fishery station
>in Rajin-Sonbong City caught a 10-centimeter long white sea
>cucumber while fishing on the waters off Chongjin," the
>official New Korea News Agency reported. "They said the
>rare white sea cucumber has come to hail the auspicious event
>of electing comrade Kim Jong Il as party general secretary."
>
>"Seeing the mysterious natural phenomena," the agency
>continued, "Koreans say comrade Kim Jong Il is indeed the
>greatest of great men produced by Heaven and that flowers
>come into bloom to mark the great event."



Doug

--

Doug Henwood
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