Automating Power: Cybernetics and Sovereignty in Cold War North Korea

Area of Science:

• * History of Science and Technology
• * Political Science
• * Cybernetics and Systems Theory

Background:

• * Conventional Cold War narratives often position cybernetics as antithetical to communist authoritarianism.
• * Previous research on cybernetics in socialist states suggests its principles of objectivity and decentralization clashed with orthodox political economy, potentially leading to liberal reforms.
• * The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) represents a unique case study for understanding cybernetics' introduction within a socialist authoritarian context.

Purpose of the Study:

• * To analyze the introduction and impact of cybernetics in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) during the Cold War.
• * To challenge the prevailing Cold War narrative regarding cybernetics and authoritarianism.
• * To re-evaluate the perception of cybernetic control in relation to liberal governmentality within a non-liberal state.

Main Methods:

• * Historical analysis of archival materials related to science and policy in the DPRK.
• * Comparative study of cybernetics' reception in socialist versus liberal contexts.
• * Examination of official DPRK documents and communications concerning technological and political reforms.

Main Results:

• * Contrary to expectations derived from other socialist states, the introduction of cybernetics in the DPRK was associated with an increase in authoritarianism.
• * The DPRK's adoption of cybernetic principles did not lead to liberal reforms but rather reinforced centralized control.
• * Cybernetic concepts were integrated in a manner that supported, rather than challenged, the existing authoritarian political structure.

Conclusions:

• * The DPRK's experience demonstrates that cybernetics can be adapted to enhance authoritarian control, contradicting established theories.
• * The study challenges the simplistic dichotomy of cybernetics as either inherently liberal or opposed to communism.
• * Further research is needed to understand the specific mechanisms through which cybernetics bolstered authoritarianism in the DPRK.