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> represent some sort of misguided attempt at benevolence This is the image dictatorships sell to their poor, uneducated, and ill-informed public. The reality

> represent some sort of misguided attempt at benevolence This is the image dictatorships sell to their poor, uneducated, and ill-informed public. The reality is much worse. Rulers tend to make decisions that benefit those who they share power with (no man rules alone). Dictatorships thrive where there are abundant natural resources combined with an uneducated public. Democracies tend to thrive where a country's main resource is it's people. North Korea has neither. But those in power wish to remain so, and the cult of personality around "the ruler" and his benevolence helps maintain some form of control over those that are starving. Well that and a lot of guns. North Korea has a well deserved reputation for brutality and suffering. Checkout the video series Rules for Rulers. It's pretty eye opening, and helped me change the way I look at countries and geopolitics. [1] [1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rStL7niR7gs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rStL7niR7gs

OkayPhysicist 3y ago
I've seen the series, and I'm not talking about the politics of maintaining power. I'm talking about the leadership's motivation: Why do you become Supreme Leader instead of merely being one of those oligarchs? Life's a lot easier for those power brokers, people who rise to the very top of power have a reason, at least for themselves.
- lordfrito 3y ago
  If you're still talking about North Korea, well the current Supreme Leader was born into it. I suppose he likes the lifestyle, and the ability to order people around and generally do what he pleases. It's better than being an underlying, or a starving person. Plus it's all he knows. He's demonstrated his willingness to execute people (including his half-brother) to maintain his grip on power. So this isn't a guy who is worried about ethics and morals. He understands the politics of power, and is clearly capable of doing what it takes to hold on to power. These are men not to be trifled with. It's probably kill or be killed at this point. He's smart enough to have recognized that early on, which is why he's still around and his brother isn't. Sometimes power and prestige, getting your way, winning and being right all the time are the ends in and of themselves. Having worked with many C-level people, I can say that their one common motivation seems to be "winning at any cost". If people are helped along the way, great. If people are hurt, well... tough decisions had to be made. It definitely takes charisma, and the ability to convince people that you have their best interests in mind. Steve Jobs' reality distortion field comes to mind. The essence of a politician is they always seem to agree with you and be on your side, but you never know what they're really thinking, and don't be surprised if they blindside you at some point. Evolutionary biologists suggest that there's a reason our species tolerates sociopaths (it's seemingly in our gene pool) -- they have the ability to get things done and build empires, skills that are needed to navigate/survive at the very top of large power structures.

OkayPhysicist 3y ago

I've seen the series, and I'm not talking about the politics of maintaining power. I'm talking about the leadership's motivation: Why do you become Supreme Leader instead of merely being one of those oligarchs? Life's a lot easier for those power brokers, people who rise to the very top of power have a reason, at least for themselves.

lordfrito 3y ago
If you're still talking about North Korea, well the current Supreme Leader was born into it. I suppose he likes the lifestyle, and the ability to order people around and generally do what he pleases. It's better than being an underlying, or a starving person. Plus it's all he knows. He's demonstrated his willingness to execute people (including his half-brother) to maintain his grip on power. So this isn't a guy who is worried about ethics and morals. He understands the politics of power, and is clearly capable of doing what it takes to hold on to power. These are men not to be trifled with. It's probably kill or be killed at this point. He's smart enough to have recognized that early on, which is why he's still around and his brother isn't. Sometimes power and prestige, getting your way, winning and being right all the time are the ends in and of themselves. Having worked with many C-level people, I can say that their one common motivation seems to be "winning at any cost". If people are helped along the way, great. If people are hurt, well... tough decisions had to be made. It definitely takes charisma, and the ability to convince people that you have their best interests in mind. Steve Jobs' reality distortion field comes to mind. The essence of a politician is they always seem to agree with you and be on your side, but you never know what they're really thinking, and don't be surprised if they blindside you at some point. Evolutionary biologists suggest that there's a reason our species tolerates sociopaths (it's seemingly in our gene pool) -- they have the ability to get things done and build empires, skills that are needed to navigate/survive at the very top of large power structures.