Populism in Communist Regimes: Comparative Study of China and North Korea

Much ambiguity surrounds the concept of populism in international politics and researchers are still disputing the term’s origins and how it should be applied in different settings. Some consider it anti-elitist and anti-establishment. Because populism is such a fluid and evolving concept, its utilization and application are repeatedly discussed. Populism has almost always been a topic of discussion in democratic countries. The concept developed largely through the examination of political parties, leaders, and electoral procedures. However, little research has been done on the possibility of populism existing as an ideology in the absence of charismatic leaders who are elected. This research investigates the growth of populism in communist countries such as China and North Korea. At first glance, it may appear that all communist regimes operate similarly. However, populism and its application differ in China and North Korea. The following analysis focuses on specific phenomena that take place in communist regimes in order to better understand the general notion of populism.