One of the most corrupt nations on the face of the Earth is staging the nearest approximation to an election this weekend. North Korea.
The candidates in these so called elections are picked by the ruling party and there is only one per constituency. To use the term election to describe this utter farce is quite frankly a contemptible insult to the very idea of a democracy.
The whole world is aware that North Korea is a dictatorship run by "The Dear Leader" Kim Jong Il. The fact that they would promote the charade that they have elected leaders should be treated with absolute disdain. (An interesting note is that while Kim is the head of the Workers Party and head of the Army, he is not head of the state. That title is still awarded to his father, "The Great Leader", who has been dead for a long time.)
This "election" is apparently one to keep an eye on as sources say that it will feature the rise to prominence of Kim Jong Un, the son of Kim Jong Il. This election will most likely put him in a more public role within the country in order to begin his deification. He will be elevated to the level of a god, just like his father and grandfather (one wonders what his Leader nickname will become).
Vanity Fair columnist Christopher Hitchens described the North Korean dictatorship as religious in nature, given the constant praise given to the Dear and Great Leaders. He joked that North Korea was one short of a trinity. I suspect that will not be the case for much longer.
With Kim Jong Il being old, thoughts have turned to his successor, which will most likely be his son. A hereditary dictatorial monarchy under the guise of democracy. I cannot think of anything more abhorrent.
The candidates in these so called elections are picked by the ruling party and there is only one per constituency. To use the term election to describe this utter farce is quite frankly a contemptible insult to the very idea of a democracy.
The whole world is aware that North Korea is a dictatorship run by "The Dear Leader" Kim Jong Il. The fact that they would promote the charade that they have elected leaders should be treated with absolute disdain. (An interesting note is that while Kim is the head of the Workers Party and head of the Army, he is not head of the state. That title is still awarded to his father, "The Great Leader", who has been dead for a long time.)
This "election" is apparently one to keep an eye on as sources say that it will feature the rise to prominence of Kim Jong Un, the son of Kim Jong Il. This election will most likely put him in a more public role within the country in order to begin his deification. He will be elevated to the level of a god, just like his father and grandfather (one wonders what his Leader nickname will become).
Vanity Fair columnist Christopher Hitchens described the North Korean dictatorship as religious in nature, given the constant praise given to the Dear and Great Leaders. He joked that North Korea was one short of a trinity. I suspect that will not be the case for much longer.
With Kim Jong Il being old, thoughts have turned to his successor, which will most likely be his son. A hereditary dictatorial monarchy under the guise of democracy. I cannot think of anything more abhorrent.
No comments:
Post a Comment