This paper addresses a theoretical and an empirical question. First, the paper argues that general theories of comparative analysis of political systems can indeed be used to study the "special case" of North Korea. This addresses the question of how to conduct research on the "hermit kingdom". By using an established framework deductively, the paper proposes a way to conduct research on North Korea amid a lack of reliable data.
North Korea is thereby seen as an extreme case of an autocracy in order that however, enables researchers to observe special structural features more explicitly than in autocracies. The implicit argument here is that North Korea is comparable to other autocracies and only varies in the strength of certain characteristics such as regime type or internal dynamics. Second, the paper investigates empirically whether autocracies use foreign policy for internal legitimation and if so, what strategies are they pursuing? This paper argues that autocrats can basically use four strategies to use foreign policy as a source of legitimation. Making use of a framework developed by Kneuer the case of North Korea is examined to illustrate the argument.
A within-case analysis is used to investigate the extent to which each of the three Kims used foreign policy as a means of generating legitimation. The results suggest that all three used similar strategies but depending on their respective legitimation deficits. Overall, it is advocated to take a closer look at the influence of foreign policy on domestic dynamics. This has so far been largely neglected. This becomes particularly evident when it comes to the question of the possibilities for North Korean denuclearization. Viewed as a domestic legitimation measures, it becomes more questionable whether North Korea will abandon its weapons anytime soon.
Table of Contents
1. Abstract
2. Introduction
3. Theoretical framework
3.1. The North Korean regime
3.2. Legitimation in North Korea
3.3. Foreign policy as a legitimation strategy for autocratic regimes (Kneuer 2013)
3.4. Applicability to North Korea
4. Methodology & Data
5. Empirical Analysis
5.1. Foreign patron as source of legitimation
5.2. Transfer of external to internal legitimacy deficits.
5.3. The formulation of external performance goals for internal legitimation generation
5.4. Externalization of domestic legitimacy deficits.
6. Conclusion and discussion
Research Objectives and Key Topics
This paper explores whether and how North Korea uses its foreign policy as a strategic tool to generate internal regime legitimation. By applying an established theoretical framework deductively to the 'special case' of North Korea, the study examines how the three Kim rulers navigated legitimacy deficits through external policy measures, thereby highlighting the link between international conduct and domestic regime stability.
- Legitimation strategies of autocratic regimes
- The role of foreign policy in domestic survival
- Theoretical application of comparative politics to North Korea
- Empirical analysis of the three Kim ruling periods
- Interaction between external legitimacy and domestic support
Excerpt from the Book
3.3. Foreign policy as a legitimation strategy for autocratic regimes (Kneuer 2013)
The mutual influence of foreign and domestic politics has long been regarded as an established knowledge of political science (Kneuer 2018). In international relations, liberal theories aim to explain foreign policy behavior through externalized preferences of domestic actors. The regime type also plays a role, for example when it comes to why there are almost no wars between democracies (democratic peace theory). Kneuer's model is devoted to the little-examined question of the role of foreign policy in legitimizing the autocratic political system. In doing so, it follows the above-mentioned distinction between legitimacy and legitimation and focuses on "strategies and mechanisms with which autocracies try to generate legitimation for the purpose of maintaining power" (Kneuer 2013: 206). Therefore, she initially assumes that, in addition to economic performance, there are other opportunities for autocracies to generate output legitimacy, for example in foreign policy.
She further argues "that there are both internal and external legitimation strategies and that both levels interact in the construction and addressing of legitimation strategies" (Kneuer 2013: 207). Unlike Gerschewski (2013), however, she subsumes both the generation of support for the population and that of strategically relevant actors under the term "legitimation". It focuses particularly on affective and discursive strategies. Kneuer bases her approach on Fritz Scharpf's concept, which distinguishes three dimensions of legitimation. Therefore, she first distinguishes a "form of a pre-political feeling of belonging or a collective identity based on historical, linguistic, cultural or ethnic similarities” (Kneuer 2013: 208) This so-called we identity fundamentally ensures that the government's actions are justified against the background of society.
Summary of Chapters
1. Abstract: Provides an overview of the paper's theoretical argument and empirical investigation into how North Korea uses foreign policy for domestic legitimation.
2. Introduction: Introduces the North Korean puzzle, outlining its aggressive foreign policy and repressive nature, and sets the research goal of connecting comparative politics with North Korean studies.
3. Theoretical framework: Defines key concepts such as autocracy and legitimation, and introduces Kneuer's model regarding foreign policy as an instrument of power maintenance.
4. Methodology & Data: Details the congruence analysis approach and justifies the use of expert knowledge, KCNA media databases, and refugee testimonies as data sources.
5. Empirical Analysis: Conducts a historical analysis of how the three Kim leaders utilized foreign patronage, performance goals, and externalization to manage domestic legitimacy crises.
6. Conclusion and discussion: Summarizes the findings and discusses the applicability of general comparative theories to North Korea, while suggesting directions for future research.
Keywords
North Korea, Legitimation, Foreign Policy, Autocracy, Kim Regime, Juche, Regime Stability, Output Legitimacy, Comparative Politics, Kneuer Model, Nuclear Program, Internal Legitimacy, Performance Goals, Political Science, Songun.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research?
This paper examines how the North Korean regime employs its foreign policy as a mechanism to secure domestic legitimation and maintain its stability.
What are the central themes discussed in the paper?
The study centers on the intersection of foreign policy and internal politics, exploring legitimacy deficits, the use of external patrons, and the construction of national identity discourses.
What is the primary research question?
The study asks to what extent foreign policy serves as a strategy for the three Kim leaders to generate domestic legitimation and survive in power.
Which scientific methodology does the paper utilize?
The paper employs a congruence analysis, applying Kneuer’s theoretical framework to the single case of North Korea across three distinct ruling periods.
What topics are covered in the main section?
The empirical part covers the role of foreign patrons, the transmission of external legitimacy deficits into domestic ones, the formation of performance goals, and the externalization of domestic issues.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include North Korea, Legitimation, Foreign Policy, Autocracy, Regime Stability, and the Kneuer Model.
How does the author treat the "special case" of North Korea?
The author argues against the notion that North Korea is entirely unique, proposing that it can be productively analyzed using general comparative politics theories to gain new insights.
What role does the Juche ideology play in this legitimation process?
Juche is identified as a core ideological tool used by the regime to justify isolation, nationalism, and self-reliance, thereby bridging the gap between foreign policy actions and domestic population support.
How is the impact of nuclear weapons addressed?
The author analyzes the nuclear program as a performance goal that allows the regime to project strength and deflect internal criticism, effectively creating a "legitimacy boost" during times of domestic hardship.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Julian Klose (Autor:in), 2020, Legitimation In North Korea. Foreign Policy As A Strategy To Legitimize The Kims?, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/977820
