North Korea is a dismal nation. They boast about nuclear technology, but it’s a country-sized prison. In 1954, Korea was divided into two entities: North Korea and South Korea. The North was under the jurisdiction of the Soviet Union. They went to a communist system. The South followed free enterprise.
The results are stark. One country bustles. The other crumbles. One country manifests life. The other manifests death. Generally, free enterprise is related to Biblical principles. Generally, Communist leaders are dramatically hostile to Christ, the Word of God, and faith.
It is obvious to any observer which nation has fared better. The advances of technology and of economics are encouraged by free enterprise. Such advances are diminished by strong centralized control of people. Disincentives to work and to create are the result.
The use of electricity and the development of lighting are products of technology. Look at these photos and see the stark difference in standard of living between North and South Korea. This difference is a direct result of the economic systems they chose. The more biblical principles are applied to economic and governmental practice, the better the people fare. More opportunity exists for technological advancement.
Would you agree?
Can you think of a single way countries like North Korea have contributed to the benefit of mankind?
Michael John Beil says
I would say freedom makes way for much societal advancement. The polar opposites of North and South Korea are quite mind-boggling and saddening. I wonder how many of them have even heard the Gospel, or know what computers are?
Hamish says
This is a ridiculous article.
“Generally, free enterprise is related to Biblical principles.” Like what, the jubilee laws? Jesus’ teachings? Wrong wrong wrong. Biblical principles favour first and foremost care for the weak and poor – which has far more in common with communism that free enterprise.
Ken says
Hello Hannah,
Thank you for writing in. I think the Jubilee laws are wonderful, and we would be better off if we followed them. Jesus did not say a whole lot about government in his life on earth. But since He is the Living Word and was directly involved in the giving of the Word by the Spirit, He had a lot to say about government, liberty, personal responsibility, private ownership, and compassion in the totality of his Word. Where you have freedom of religion, freedom of association, freedom of conscience, and freedom of speech, creative things tend to happen. There is too much to expound in this space.
As far as “care for the weak and poor” goes, many university professors would agree with you. They would say, and have been propagandizing from their lofty ivory towers for years, that communism is the best way to exhibit that. Unfortunately it is likely true that most residents of such nations would wonder when that compassion was going to start.
There is an idealism out there that keeps saying that communism favors compassion for the weak and poor. I would say that history shows that communism results in creating lots of weak and poor people. Further, I would say that history bears out that communism results in the deaths of millions upon millions of the communistic nation’s own citizens. See Red China. See the Soviet Union. See Cuba. See North Korea. See Eastern Europe.
Have you heard of Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn? Have you read anything that he has written? He experienced Communism first hand. Here is just one quote: “The world had never before known a godlessness as organized, militarized, and tenaciously malevolent as that practiced by Marxism. Within the philosophical system of Marx and Lenin, and at the heart of their psychology, hatred of God is the principal driving force, more fundamental than all their political and economic pretensions. Militant atheism is not merely incidental or marginal to Communist policy; it is not a side effect, but the central pivot.”
The stronger and more pervasive centralized power, the less personal incentive there is. Thus, under the Soviet horror, infrastructure went to pieces. People were deprived of basic things, for example: food, heat, adequate transportation, and any opportunity whatsoever to improve their lot in life. I have a personal friend who has been serving in Russia for nearly 20 years. Russia still is reeling from the effects of that wonderful benevolent communism. Their national psyche seems to have been permanently damaged.
Again, just look at the difference between North Korea and South Korea. I have not stated that free enterprise systems are perfect, and the reason is that the line of evil goes through every single human heart, regardless of the political system. However, it cannot be said that all political systems are equal in the results in human lives. Communism has been tried many times over. The ideal that you state has yet to be realized.
“Well, maybe this time it will.” It would not be wise to bank on that.
Chris Wilson says
So…what about Saudi Arabia? They certainly don’t favor freedom or apply biblical principles to economic leadership (and if/when they do it’s a byproduct not deliberately) and yet they are certainly hold a lot of technology and economy power. Likewise China has moved towards free market capitalism but can’t be said to be a liberal democracy country which endorses biblical freedoms and yet it is moving to become the largest economic and technological powerhouse in the world.
I wouldn’t object to the idea but choosing one nation is hardly an accurate way to prove something.
Ken says
Thank you for writing!
I did not use North and South Korea to prove something, but to illustrate something. I believe the biblical principles have observable results, even if they are present by accident, so to speak. I have not studied Saudi Arabia in this regard. My guess is that there is some aspect of incentive, personal responsibility, some measure of personal liberty, or a level of ability to have private property – or some combination of these – that have encouraged the technological development to which you refer.
As for China, their changes are a tacit admission that their Marxist philosophies do not work with regard to advancement of society and well-being of the people. The single most obvious and consistent result of effectively established communistic systems is systematic death – systematic murder. It’s kinda hard to be creative and entrepreneurial under such circumstances.