Song and Wright (2018) The North Korean Autocracy in Comparative Perspective

Autocratic Regime

A political system where one person or a small group holds absolute power, often without the consent of the governed.

North Korean Dictatorship

The longest enduring autocratic regime post-World War II, created by Kim Il-sung.

Partido Revolucionario Institucional (PRI)

Dominant political party in Mexico that supported the long-lasting autocratic regime.

Factionalization

The division of a group into factions that may compete against each other, which can impact leadership stability.

Kim Il-sung

The first leader of North Korea, responsible for establishing personalist rule.

Personalist Dictatorship

A regime characterized by the concentration of power in the hands of a single leader.

Military Autonomy

The degree to which military leaders can operate independently of the political leader.

Korean Workers’ Party (KWP)

The ruling political party in North Korea that was largely subdued under Kim Il-sung's rule.

Succession Rule

An established guideline that allows for the transfer of power within a designated lineage or family.

Political Purge

The removal of individuals from positions of power, usually to eliminate opposition.

Soviet Union

The primary foreign backer that supported Kim Il-sung's consolidation of power in North Korea.

Chinese Communist Party

The governing party of China, which later provided support to Kim Il-sung's regime.

Military-first Politics (Songun chongch’i)

A political framework that prioritizes the military in state affairs, promoted by Kim Jong-il.

Comparative Perspective

Analyzing and comparing different political regimes to understand their characteristics and dynamics.

Normative Preference

A preference based on what is considered to be the ideal or desirable standard.

Cohesive Seizure Group

A unified group that supports a dictator, making the leader's position more stable.

Principal-Agent Problem

A situation where an agent (like Kim Il-sung) may act contrary to the principal's (foreign backers) interests.

Consolidation of Power

The process by which a leader strengthens their control, often by eliminating rivals.

Kim Jong-il

Son of Kim Il-sung, who succeeded his father as the leader of North Korea.

Enduring Family Rule

A characteristic of regimes where leadership is maintained within a single family across generations.

International Relations

A field of study focusing on the interactions between states and other international actors.

Dominant Party Regime

A political system where a single party holds most power and limits electoral competition.

Aggressive Foreign Policies

An approach characterized by an assertive or combative stance in international affairs.

Militarized Regimes

Governments where the military plays a significant role in governance and political stability.

Personalism Index

A measure used to assess the degree of personalist power across different regimes.

Civilian Leadership

A leadership structure where non-military individuals hold authority in governance.

Historical Origins of Autocracy

The socio-political conditions and events that lead to the establishment and stability of autocratic regimes.

Coercive Power

The ability of a foreign power to compel a client state to act in a certain way, often against its own interests.

Military Coup

The sudden overthrow of a government, usually by military forces.

Rubber-stamp Party

A political party that merely endorses decisions made by the leader without genuine deliberation.

Plebiscite

A direct vote by the electorate on a specific proposal or political issue.

Korean People’s Army (KPA)

The military of North Korea, established following the Korean War.