Unit 1

Comparative
Politics
Subunit 3:
The rise of dictatorships in Asia

Chapter 1

What is a dictatorship? 25

Chapter 2

Are there still dictatorships 28

in the world?
Case Study: North Korea

Chapter 3

What factors give rise to 33

dictatorships?
Case Study: Myanmar
 25

1 What is a dictatorship?

1.1 Task: Identify the form of government

in each country

In country A, a single leader In country B, a monarch In country C, God or a

has absolute control over the serves a symbolic role and divine being is the ultimate
lives of citizens. Other has limited power according authority. Religious law
branches of government do to the country’s constitution. is used to settle disputes
what the leader wants them The day-to-day tasks of and govern the people.
to do, without representing governing are carried out by The government can be a
the people’s will. an executive and legislature. republic, dictatorship,
monarchy, or any other form,
but it is strongly influenced
by religious beliefs.

1.2 Characteristics of a dictatorship

Centralized power Absence of accountability

Dictatorship is characterized by a concentration Dictators are not held accountable for their
of power in the hands of a single individual or a actions, as they are not subject to the checks
small group of people, who exercise absolute and balances of a democratic system.
control over the government and its institutions.

Lack of political freedom Propaganda & Scapegoating

Dictators excel at blaming others and creating
and civil rights divisions in society - by creating or deepening
Dictatorships typically suppress civil rights the “us vs them” narrative. They manipulate
such as the freedom of speech, assembly people’s fears and offer themselves as the
and political opposition, denying citizens solution. Positive news is attributed to the
the right to participate in democratic processes. work of the dictator and negative news is
This can include censorship of the media, ascribed to enemies of the state.
restriction of religious and cultural practices.

Take note of these characteristics. As we explore the governments of different

countries, annotate the case studies using these symbols.

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Case Study: The Republic of Vonia

The Republic of Vonia was once a thriving democracy, with a strong commitment to upholding
civil liberties and promoting the principles of equality and justice. However, in recent years, the
nation has experienced a concerning trend of backsliding towards authoritarian rule.

Under the leadership of President Marcus, Vonia began projecting its strength and nationalism
Centralized through grand military parades. President Marcus utilized these displays to bolster his own
power
image and to instill a sense of nationalistic pride among the majority population. He also began
demonizing people he thought to be enemies, creating a climate of fear and division within
society. Soon, minorities became the target of discriminatory remarks, rhetoric and policies. This
deepened social division.

Power became centralized in the hands of President Marcus. He exercised absolute control over
the government and even dismantled democratic institutions one by one. The legislature and
judiciary were weakened after a series of legal and administrative changes.

Political freedoms too were curtailed. Citizens who questioned the government and expressed
their opinions faced punishment. Civil rights and liberties, such as freedom of assembly were
restricted, limiting the people's ability to voice their concerns and participate in the
democratic process.

To make matters worse, President Marcus indulged in nepotism and favouritism while appointing
people as leaders. These appointees were not always the best for the job. So, no wonder, the
population experienced a decline in access to essential services, such as quality education
and healthcare.

In this manner, a once vibrant society was repressed and weakened.

 27

Vocabulary

Institutions: Organizations Civil rights: The basic rights Accountability: Being

or systems that are important and freedoms that everyone responsible for your actions
for a society to function, such should have, like the right to and being held responsible
as the government, courts, speak freely and the right to by others.
and media. gather together.

1.3 Check for understanding questions:

Identify the form of Government

Case Study 1

In this country, the government restricts the civil rights of citizens, such as the freedom of
assembly, association, and movement. The media is heavily censored, and the government
controls the kind of information citizens can access. Political opposition is suppressed, and
citizens are not allowed to participate in the democratic process. The government restricts
religious and cultural practices, and there is limited access to education and healthcare.

Case Study 2

This country has a strong tradition of respecting individual rights and freedoms. Citizens have the
right to assemble, protest, and criticize the government without fear of punishment. There is also
a robust system of checks and balances in place to prevent the abuse of power by any one branch
of government. Elections are free and fair, and political opposition is allowed to participate in the
government. The government also provides access to education and healthcare to all citizens.

Case Study 3

In this country, the government is controlled by a single person who has absolute power. There is
no free press, and citizens are not allowed to criticize the government or express their opinions
without fear of punishment. Political opposition is not allowed, and those who speak out against
the regime are imprisoned or killed. Citizens do not have access to education and healthcare, and
they are not allowed to freely associate or move around the country.
28

2 Are there still dictatorships

in the world?
Case Study: North Korea

2.1 Timeline

Phases of the Korean War

After the war, the Korean Peninsula became divided. The southern half of the peninsula was
administered by the United States, while the Soviet Union took control in the north. This
resulted in rival governments: a Western-friendly South Korea and a communist North Korea.
In 1950, the North invaded the South. The United States intervened to defend South Korea and
not only repelled the invasion force but continued on to invade into the north. That triggered
an intervention from China, which helped push the Americans back to the south. The war ended
with an armistice signed in 1953.

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1945
End of Japanese rule - Japan’s

1945
surrender in World War II leads to the September 9, 1948
division of Korea. The Soviet Union
Founding of the Democratic People’s

1948
occupies the north, while the United
Republic of Korea (DPRK) - Kim Il-sung
States occupies the south.
establishes the socialist state of North
Korea with the support of the
Soviet Union.
Late 1940s
Consolidation of power -

1940
Kim Il-sung eliminates political rivals 1950-1953
and strengthens his control over the
Korean War - North Korea invades

1950
country, establishing a personality
South Korea, sparking a three-year
cult around himself.
war. The conflict ends in an armistice,
with the Korean peninsula remaining
divided along the 38th parallel.
1966
Juche ideology introduced -
1966

Kim Il-sung introduces the Juche 1994

ideology, which promotes
1994
Kim Il-sung’s death - Kim Il-sung dies,
self reliance, nationalism, and
and his son, Kim Jong-il, assumes
the belief in the superiority of
power. The power transition solidifies
the Korean people.
the Kim family’s rule over North Korea.

2011
2011

Kim Jong-il’s death - Kim Jong-il dies,

and his son, Kim Jong-un, takes over
as the leader of North Korea.

Kim Jong-il

Vocabulary
An armistice is a formal
Task agreement of warring parties
to stop fighting.

Annotate the characteristics of a dictatorship

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2.2 North Korea Primary Sources

A. Excerpt of North Korea ’s Preamble from the Constitution

The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is
a socialist fatherland of Juche which embodies
the idea of and guidance by the great leader
Comrade Kim II Sung.

The great leader Comrade Kim II Sung is

the founder of the DPRK and the socialist
Korea. Comrade Kim II Sung founded the
immortal Juche idea, organized and guided
an antiJapanese revolutionary struggle under
its banner, created revolutionary tradition,
attained the historical cause of the national
liberation, and founded the DPRK, built up
a solid basis of construction of a sovereign
and independent state in the fields of politics,
economy, culture and military, and founded
Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
the DPRK.

Comrade Kim II Sung put forward an

independent revolutionary line, wisely guided
the social revolution and construction at
various levels, strengthened and developed
the Republic into a people-centered socialist
country and a socialist state of independence,
self-sustenance, and self-defense.

Comrade Kim II Sung regarded “believing in

the people as in heaven” as his motto, was
always with the people, devoted his whole life
to them, took care of and guided them with a
noble politics of benevolence, and turned the
whole society into one big and united family. Kim Il Sung

The great leader Comrade Kim II Sung is the sun of the nation and the lodestar of the reunification
of the fatherland. Comrade Kim II Sung set the reunification of the country as the nation’s
supreme task, and devoted all his work and endeavors entirely to its realization.

The great leader Comrade Kim II Sung made clear the fundamental idea of the Republic’s
external policy, expanded and developed diplomatic relations on this basis, and heightened the
international prestige of the Republic. Comrade Kim II Sung as a veteran world political leader,
hew out a new era of independence, vigorously worked for the reinforcement and development
of the socialist movement and the nonaligned movement, and for world peace and friendship
between peoples, and made an immortal contribution to the mankind’s independent cause
 31

A mural in Pyongyang of a young Kim Il Sung giving a speech

Comrade Kim II Sung was a genius ideological

theoretician and a genius art leader, an ever-
victorious, iron-willed brilliant commander,
a great revolutionary and politician, and a
great human being… The DPRK and the entire
Korean people will uphold the great leader
Comrade Kim II Sung as the eternal President
of the Republic, defend and carry forward
his ideas and exploits and complete the
Juche revolution under the leadership of the
Workers’ Party of Korea.

The DPRK Socialist Constitution is a

Kim depicted as the Sun on a propaganda mural. The
Kim II Sung constitution which legally
given name Il-sung means ‘become the Sun’. Likewise,
embodies Comrade Kim II Sung’s Juche state
his birthday is called “Day of the Sun”.
construction ideology and achievements.1

Vocabulary

Juche - is the state ideology of North Korea and the official ideology of the Workers’ Party of Korea.
The goal of Juche is to establish a self-reliant state which independently determines its political,
economic, and military affairs.
32

B. North Korea News

A newspaper article from Rodong Sinmun (This is the official newspaper of the Workers’ Party of
Korea and provides insights into the regime’s propaganda and ideology.)

Touching Stories about His Devotion to People

Politics 2023.5.14.

Area of Factory Expanded

In July, Juche 104(2015), the respected General Secretary Kim Jong Un inspected the then
Rangnang Sanitary Goods Factory. He went round every production process of the factory for
a long time and appreciated that the quality of goods produced by the factory had a good public
opinion. When he went out of the factory after a long time, he halted in the rain and looked at the
surroundings of the factory for a while. Then he said in a low voice that the packaging room was
so small that it would hinder the automation of the factory. He had mentioned it several times
while going round the factory. To tell the truth, the factory had been suffering from the confined
packaging room but its officials regarded it unavoidable as the area of the factory was limited.
The respected General Secretary asked an official of the factory about the method to expand the
packaging room. Looking at the official hesitating, he said that as the factory produces goods
badly needed for people’s living, the major unit beside it should grant some of its area to it in order
for the factory to expand the packaging room. Although the factory was not a big one, however, as
it was directly related with the people’s living, the respected General Secretary paid deep attention
to it and took such measures of giving up some of the area of major unit. Thus the area of the
factory was expanded.

His Earnest Request

By the end of October in Juche 105(2016), the respected General Secretary visited the Ryongaksan
Soap Factory and expressed great satisfaction saying that another factory has sprung up to
contribute to improving the standard of the people’s living. When he dropped in at the storehouse
of goods, he was very pleased to see the cartons with liquid soap piled up. Accompanying officials
were also lost in admiration for the factory saying that the people would be able to use good liquid
soap to their hearts’ content and their level of civilization would be improved. Their applause
puffed up the official of the factory. At the moment the respected General Secretary told the
official in earnest not to hang on their lips adding that the factory had only taken an initial step
and it should ensure domestic production of materials and produce the liquid soap more than
enough. The official of the factory declared his resolve to devote all to making the liquid-soap
production Juche-oriented without fail. Looking at the official in a friendly way, the respected
General Secretary said that he would wait for the news that the factory has ensured the domestic
production of materials adding that the Ryongaksan Soap Factory should feel satisfied only when
it produced a plenty of various kinds of liquid soap with domestic materials favored by the people.
Indeed, the respected General Secretary’s love for our people is endless.
Rodong Sinmun

What characteristics of a dictatorship are evident in North

Korea’s government?

Task Annotate the characteristics of a dictatorship

 33

What factors give rise to

3 dictatorships?
Myanmar: The Troubled Story of a Fragile Democracy

3.1 Timeline

1947
Aung San, who fought against the
1947

Japanese and led the country to

independence from Britain, is
assassinated. Aung San Suu Kyi is his
only daughter and youngest child.

Aung San Suu Kyi, then two years old, with her father
Aung San and mother and two elder brothers in 1947.

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1948
Myanmar obtains freedom from the
1962

1948
British under President U Nu
The military under General Ne Win

1962
takes power in a coup. All opposition
parties are banned, and the military
takes control of all businesses and
industries. The economic policies and
1988 deliberate isolation of the country
lead to economic stagnation and ruin.

1988
Pro-democracy protests in August are
met with a brutal military crackdown
and as many as 5,000 people are
killed, according to civil society
groups. In September, Aung San Suu
Kyi starts the National League for
Democracy (NLD).

Burmese Army units in the capital of Myanmar,

Rangoon two days after the coup.

1990
1990

Under international pressure the

Aung San Suu Kyi military calls an election, which the
NLD wins by a landslide margin. The
military refuses to recognise the
results or hand over power. Aung San
1991 Suu Kyi is arrested and placed under
house arrest.
1991

Aung San Suu Kyi is awarded the Nobel

Peace Prize for her contributions to
establishing democracy in Myanmar.

NLD party flag

1995-2000 1995-2000
In July 1995, Aung San Suu Kyi is
released from house arrest. However,
she is detained again in 2000 as Europe
tightens sanctions on Myanmar.
Aung San Suu Kyi surrounded by reporters at her
home in Yangon after she was released from house
arrest in 1995. She was detained again in 2000.

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2002
Aung San Suu Kyi is released again and 2003

2002
allowed to travel around the country.

2003
Aung San Suu Kyi is arrested again
- supposedly for her own protection –
after an attack on her convoy.
In the same year, more than 70 of
her supporters are beaten to death in
the May attack by a political militia
backed by the military. The militia later
2009-2010 became the Union Solidarity and
Development Party (USDP), the
Aung San Suu Kyi is awarded the
Ambassador of Conscience Award 2009-10 military’s proxy party in parliament.
by Amnesty International. The
USDP wins elections that have been
boycotted by the NLD. Aung San Suu 2012
Kyi becomes free after she is released
Fighting between Buddhists and
from house arrest in November.
2012 Muslims in western Rakhine State
leaves hundreds dead, and tens of
thousands of Rohingya displaced.

About

150,000
Approximately Rohingya are

1 MILLION
reported to be
internally displaced
as the end of 2021
refugees living in
refugee camps in
Bangladesh

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2015

2015
The NLD wins a general election by
a landslide and Aung San Suu Suu
Kyi becomes leader in a specially
2017
created role of the State Counsellor A brutal military crackdown in

2017
of Myanmar. Rakhine drives more than 730,000
Rohingya into Bangladesh. The United
Nations says the campaign of mass
killing, sexual assault, and arson was
carried out with “genocidal intent”,
which Myanmar denies. Suu Kyi later
defends Myanmar against genocide
charges brought at the International
Court of Justice in Hague.

2019
Fighting begins in Rakhine between
2019

government troops and the Arakan Aerial view of a burnt Rohingya village
Army (AA), an ethnic Rakhine group
seeking greater regional autonomy.
Suu Kyi urges the army to “crush”
the rebels. 2020
Aung San Suu Kyi comes under
2020

international criticism for her failure

to speak about the Rohingya Crisis.
Amnesty International revokes her
award. Myanmar erases names of
Rohingya villages and U.N. map
makers follow suit.

2020 2020
The NLD claims a resounding victory
in parliamentary elections taking
more votes than it did in 2015. The
USDP demands a rerun of the election
and calls for military help to ensure
fairness, alleging irregularities.

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2021 - January 28

2021
The election commission rejects
allegations of vote fraud, saying there
were no errors large enough to affect
2021 - January 30 the credibility of the vote.
Myanmar’s military says it will protect

2021
and abide by the constitution and act
according to the law.
2021 - February 1:

2021
The military declares a state of
emergency for one year, and transfers
power to military chief Min Aung
Hlaing. Aung San Suu Kyi and other
senior government officials are
arrested.

Task

1. Annotate the characteristics of a dictatorship.

2. According to you, what factors have made democracy weak in Myanmar?

(Write a 250 word essay)

Vocabulary

Coup: A sudden, violent, and unlawful seizure of power from a government.

Sanctions: This may be either a permission or a restriction, depending upon the context.
Economic sanctions: typically a ban on trade. International sanctions are coercive measures
adopted by a country against another state in order to elicit a change in their behaviour.

References:
1. https://www.vox.com/2014/11/13/7148855/40-maps-that-explain-world-war-ii

2. https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Peoples_Republic_of_Korea_1998.pdf

3. http://www.rodong.rep.kp/en/index.php?MTJAMjAyMy0wNS0xNC1IMDAxQDNAMkBAMEAyMA==

4. https://www.britannica.com/place/Myanmar

5. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/8/25/rohingya-exodus-explained-in-maps-and-charts

6. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/2/1/myanmar-military-rule-to-fragile-democracy

Political Studies - Unit 1