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Why Communism Did Not Collapse
This volume brings together a distinguished group of scholars working to address the puzzling durability of communist autocracies in Eastern Europe and Asia, which are the longest-lasting type of non-democratic regime to emerge after World War I. The volume conceptualizes the communist universe as consisting of the ten regimes in Eastern Europe and Mongolia that eventually collapsed in 1989–91, and the five regimes that survived the fall of the Berlin Wall: China, Vietnam, Laos, North Korea and Cuba. The essays offer a theoretical argument that emphasizes the importance of institutional adaptations as a foundation of communist resilience. In particular, the contributors focus on four adaptations: of the economy, of ideology, of the mechanisms for inclusion of potential rivals, and of the institutions of vertical and horizontal accountability. The volume argues that when regimes are no longer able to implement adaptive change, contingent leadership choices and contagion dynamics make collapse more likely.
A New Face of North Korean Drug Use
Beginning around 2005 or 2006 the northern areas of North Korea (or perhaps the country at large) were hit by a dramatic upsurge in methamphetamine abuse which can be described as a "drug epidemic." Numerous interviews with defectors paint a worrying picture of the escalating drug abuse. This evidence comes from multiple unconnected sources, and in most cases the defectors' statements demonstrate remarkable coherence. This article outlines the ongoing methamphetamine epidemic and traces its origin and its spread throughout North Korean society. A new challenge is emerging, and we have to be prepared to deal with it, or at least to take it into account. A New Face of North Korean Drug Use, a McFarland E-Single, originally appeared in the North Korean Review, Vol. 9, No. 1 (Spring 2013).
North Korean Defectors in Diaspora
This edited collection investigates the mobilities, resettlement practices, and identities of North Korean defectors who have relocated to the United Kingdom, the United States, Japan, and South Korea. The contributors to this volume examine the complex nature of defection from North Korea, highlighting the ways in which defectors renegotiate their identities in order to adapt and settle in new societies as well as the implications these differing narratives have on future policy decisions.
Hard Target
Because authoritarian regimes like North Korea can impose the costs of sanctions on their citizens, these regimes constitute "hard targets." Yet authoritarian regimes may also be immune—and even hostile—to economic inducements if such inducements imply reform and opening. This book captures the effects of sanctions and inducements on North Korea and provides a detailed reconstruction of the role of economic incentives in the bargaining around the country's nuclear program. Stephan Haggard and Marcus Noland draw on an array of evidence to show the reluctance of the North Korean leadership to weaken its grip on foreign economic activity. They argue that inducements have limited effect on the regime, and instead urge policymakers to think in terms of gradual strategies. Hard Target connects economic statecraft to the marketization process to understand North Korea and addresses a larger debate over the merits and demerits of "engagement" with adversaries.
One Korea
Peaceful Korean reunification would end a growing nuclear threat, ease regional and geopolitical tensions, and bring about significant economic growth and cooperation in resource-rich Northeast Asia. The central assumption of this book is that peace and reunification can be achieved by changing the underlying incentive structure for all North Koreans, and by offering its leaders a safe, honorable and profitable way out of a deteriorating situation. Economic stagnation and increased awareness of the better life beyond their borders has led to growing dissent inside North Korea, while dynastic transition and the rise of a new generation of leaders may have opened a new opportunity for political acquiescence. The book outlines a Korean Peace Fund strategy that provides for global elites, corporations and governments to raise $300 billion to give to North Korean power elites, military officers and common people if they agree to reunify under South Korean political leadership. Kim Jong-un would likely be hailed worldwide for participating in a win-win, face-saving resolution.
Diplomatic List
Directory of foreign diplomatic officers in Washington.
Mysterious Pyongyang: Cosmetics, Beauty Culture and North Korea
This book is written with the belief that the peaceful unification of Korean Peninsula will be upon us on the day that every woman in North Korea uses South Korean and global cosmetics. The authors focus on understanding the intentions behind the three leaders of North Korea, Kim Il-sung, Kim Jong-il and Kim Jong-un, based on their comments on the cosmetics industry and their field guidance tendencies, analyzing the governance style of Pyongyang through women’s life and beauty culture. It is the earliest book of its kind in the women’s life and beauty culture of North Korea.
North Korea and Myanmar
North Korea and Myanmar (Burma) are Asia's most mysterious, tragic stories. For decades they were infamous as the region's most militarized and repressed societies, self-isolated and under sanctions by the international community while, from Singapore to Japan, the rest of Asia saw historic wealth creation and growing middle class security. For Burma, the threat was internal: insurgent factions clashed with the government and each other. For North Korea, it was external: a hostile superpower--the United States--and a far more successful rival state--South Korea--occupying half of the Korean peninsula. Over time, Myanmar defeated its enemies, giving it space to explore a form of democratization and openness that has led to reintegration into international society. Meanwhile, North Korea's regime believes its nuclear arsenal--the primary reason for their pariah status--is vital to survival.
Smart Sensors and Systems
This book describes for readers technology used for effective sensing of our physical world and intelligent processing techniques for sensed information, which are essential to the success of the Internet of Things (IoTs). The authors provide a multidisciplinary view of sensor technology from MEMS, biological, chemical, and electrical domains and showcase smart sensor systems in real applications including smart home, transportation, medical, environmental, agricultural, etc. Unlike earlier books on sensors, this book provides a “global” view on smart sensors covering abstraction levels from device, circuit, systems, and algorithms.
