I'm not saying that it's bad though, they're all happy, and isn't that what matters?

dD - so your point is that they should not introduce democratic process? Is that right.

Was that the only part of my post you disagree with?
What do you think about freedom of speech or ideas? Open access to communication with the outside world? The right to travel to.other countries.
You are a fellow Australian. How would you feel if we introduced such policies here?

"so your point is that they should not introduce democratic process? Is that right."
No, my point was that you made it sound like they wanted it. You don't know what they want.

Spyman, is Australia surrounded by enemies who destroyed the country in the past, haven't signed a peace treaty, and currently threaten to turn Australia into a charcoal briquette? Do you think Australia wouldn't implement national emergency laws? Get real.

I'm pretty sure he gets his information from paranoid rightwing blogs and nowhere else, so don't expect fact checking. All of his "arguments" always seem to be plagiarized from some bizarro blog.

"How would you feel if we introduced such policies here?"
I would be gutted. But thats because I'm used to the current policies here. Over there people have a VERY different frame of mind. I wouldn't doubt that people support the suppression of democracy simply because the government isn't democratic...

What if those people surrounding Australia said:

"We will leave you alone if you repeal the emergency laws" and then Australia refused to. What then.

And then what if those people surrounding Australia had a history of overthrowing "democratic" governments they didn't approve of and butchering leftists? And had no problem with their pet regime in the South have a National Security Law that rounds up anybody who is a communist? I'd say Australia would tell the aggressors to GF themselves.

We'd think they're lying, just like I'd think you're lying if I'm Russia and you were Turkey with fleets in Black sea, an army in Armenia and an army Rumania.

"And had no problem with their pet regime in the South"

SHIT!! Antarctica is in on this!?!

"my point was that you made it sound like they wanted it"

Which part was that? I don't recall discussing what the North Koreans want. Rather what I think they should be entitled to. But hey if they don't want it, who I am to argue.

Tasmanian devils..

Well, you did assume that introducing a democratic process would lead to a different country than it is now...

Some sort of democratic process... I wasn't even arguing that North Korea should transition into a fully capitalist state like South Korea.

I'd settle for a one party state, with some semblance of a democratic process and aspects of a market economy. Like China, but less reformed.. Hey take your pick of the few communist countries in the world - Cuba? Any thing would be better than the bizzarro Stalinist regime they have now.

Don't get me wrong, I think North Koreans would be better off fully unified with South Korea. But if you really believe it should remain communist then not the present model.

"I'm pretty sure he gets his information from paranoid rightwing blogs and nowhere else, so don't expect fact checking. All of his "arguments" always seem to be plagiarized from some bizarro blog."

Who are you talking about Putin? Me?

Oh, of course it would be better off if it were different, I was just saying that the frame of mind over there is different to ours, and as such, they don't think that it would be better if it changed.

Um, I think that was directed at TC, but it was meant to be in a different topic...

I mean I give up here. You can talk all you want about how it should be more like Cuba and China but if you continue to ignore the particular conditions it faces (and ignore the real reforms which have already taken place) without offering valid defense measures then these criticisms aren't constructive.

Yeah sorry wrong thread.

Lol

"Oh, of course it would be better off if it were different"

Good to hear dD. Remember my post was in answer to Putins question about the transitioning of power. The grandfather, father, son-uncle power succession strikes my ignorant mind as not quite in keeping with the power for the people ideals of communism. He asked me what I thought should happen, and I suggested a democratic process. But I see now that is silly idea :-)

Yes, it's just that introducing a democratic process would prevent the government from doing the other things you suggested, because the people agree with what is currently happening, for better or worse.

dD, so which reforms would you support for North Korea. Say yes or no to the following.
1. Democracy
2. Economic reform - introduce aspects of a market economy like China did I the 1980s
3. Freedom of speech and ideas?
4. Open access to communication with the outside world for example, uncensored access to the world wide web.

I think you have already said no to the first. But what about the other suggestions. Where do you stand?

Spyman it's rather frustrating that you keep ignoring my points.

To expand on the economic reforms. For example farmers would be entitled have their own plot of land and sell their produce at a market and keep the profit. People could start small business and keep the profit rather than just working the state. These are the sorts of reforms China introduced in the 1980s once Mao was gone.

Sorry Putin I'll come back to those. I have forgotten. But I must make a quick trip now to the bottle shop and buy some beer. But I will get around to answering your points.

*haven't forgotten.

I would say yes to all of them, I was simply pointing out that North Koreans wouldn't and it's silly to discuss what is best for North Koreans to do.

These reforms have already taken place!