Juche and Third-Worldism are two theories which arose as forms of anti-colonialism and anti-capitalism traditions in the twentieth century. They are distinct ideologies with different roots and goals, but they share similar points and themes, especially with their joint opposition to imperialism and strong support for national independence. Despite this, they are also very different in terms of their understanding of socialism, internationalism, and political organization.
Juche, is a theory developed in the DPR Korea under the leadership of comrade Kim Il Sung during the 1950s and 60s. It was presented as a theory rooted with the interpretation of socialism that highlights on self-reliance in all three key departments: politics, military, and economy. Third-worldism, on the other side, is not a single ideology, but instead it is a set of belief that originated from anti-colonial struggles across Asia, Africa and the Latin America. It viewed the third world countries as exploited by the wealthy capitalist powers and that liberation struggles in colonized or formerly colonized nations were central to a global revolution.
One of the biggest similarities between Juche and Third-worldism is their strong stance against imperialism. Both theories see imperialism as virus and the main obstacle which prevent poor nations from achieving their potentials. Juche was strongly shaped by Korea’s struggle against the Japanese imperialists in the early 1900s and by the destructive effects caused by the Korean War. As a result, Juche values the importance of national sovereignty and resistance against foreign powers. Third worldists would argue in similar tones. They see the imperial powers, particularly the United States and Western Europe, as key actors which maintain the global inequality through various channels such as economic exploitation, military interventions, and political influence.
Another strong similarity is the emphasis that both have on liberation. Third wordlist movements often voiced for revolutionary struggles in countries such as Cuba and Vietnam. These struggles were actually seen as part of a wider global resistance against colonialism and capitalism. Juche, also viewed the Korean revolution as a fight for the nation, for dignity, for sovereignty, and for independence. It is that in both cases that political freedom was considered to be impossible without economic and military independence.
Juche and Third-worldism also share the skepticism toward dependence on the world’s major powers. Back in the times of the Cold War, many Third-worldist leaders tried their best to avoid domination and subjugation by the superpowers of the US and the USSR. This attitude was actually the contributing factor to the growth of the global Non-aligned movement. Juche, (although the mainstream media would like to have you believe that Korea relied on the USSR and China), rejected reliance on both the Soviet and the Chinese. It argued that a national revolution should follow its own path. This is a defining feature of Juche and a feature that separate Juche from other form of socialism and communism.
Despite these similarities, there are major differences between the two theories. One of most obvious ones is their view on internationalism. Juche places the national first. It argues strongly that Korean should be a nation that is guided by strong leadership system which serves as the driving force of revolution. Loyalty is crucial in Juche. Third-worldism, however, has a more international outlook. It values national liberation, but it places these as part of a wider trend of global movement against imperialism.
The role of the leadership is another distinction. Juche places emphasis on the leader as the center of political and social life. DPRK political culture developed a system which places paramount of importance on the WPK and the state leader as essential to the survival and guidance of the nation. Third-worldism does not necessarily follow this structure as it has an international tendency. It is importance to note that despite this, some third-worldist movements were led by powerful leaders such as Mao Zedong, and Ho Chi Minh. It is just that the third-worldism ideology itself does not depend on a single leadership model.
In the economic sector, Juche emphasises on self-reliance. The DPRK has been building itself of its own way and resources and has minimize the reliance on foreign trade and external economic aids and support. This means that external factors play little to zero role and has no influence on Korean society. Third-worldism, however, includes a range of economic approaches, socialism plus as range of adopted mixed economies.
Finally, Juche is an ideology of Korea and the Korean people. Third-worldism is not tied to any specific country. It encompasses many movements, governments, and intellectual traditions across the many continents.
In conclusion, Juche and Third-worldism share common roots of origins in anti-imperialism, national liberation, and resistance to foreign domination. Both emerged from the struggles of poorer nations seeking independence during the twentieth century. However, they differ in some notable ways. Juche has a more nationalist tone and focuses on the importance of the Korean people and leadership. Third-worldism is a broader tradition with more international elements and is connected to anti-colonial solidarity across nations. Understanding these key points are important and helps explain the differences between revolutionary movements and key left-wing ideologies.
Kimlong Ly
Assistant Researcher, British Study Group for the Study of the Juche Idea
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