It seems that political instability is not restricted to the West, and the recent shenanigans in South Korea should be a wakeup call to those politically informed
Alright, I'm late posting here but interesting comment.
Still, I would say this coup could have gone places if he had armed men who were willing to take decisive action against his enemies. Might have still failed, but could have gone places.
The fact the SK military didn't succeed at breaking into Parliament, given several hours to do so and in the total absence of armed opposition, is strong evidence that it didn't really want to succeed. Everyone involved was dragging his feet, complying somewhat in case the coup was a success, but not complying too much in the more likely event it wasn't.
Why? Because Yoon was deeply unpopular. Apparently, even within his own party. He didn't have a deep bench of loyal support, primarily because, as far as I can tell, he sucks.
The ideal time to launch a self-coup is when you're at the peak of your popularity. It also helps if the opposition does something obviously illegal (even if you lure them into it) that justifies your crackdown, especially among the rank-and-file forces that are being told to kick down doors and conduct mass arrests. A Reichstag fire. Or the Gulenist attempt against Erdogan.
Good question, I wish I fully understood. The guy before Yoon didn't, but before that I think it was 3 in a row.
My best guess would be that it's just culturally an utterly corrupt swamp even by the ordinary standards of politics. Bad behavior is normalized and halfway honest men are unlikely to get far.
Best comparison I'm aware of would be governors of IL, where you had 2 in a row (Ryan and Blago) that ended up in prison, and another one 2 governors back, and Pritzker has been under investigation for property tax fraud (and if you listen to my relatives that still live in that state, probably ought to be hanged on general principle in any event).
I think it's part of Korean culture... If you've ever heard the story of Admiral Yi, you'll know what I mean. The best of men are basically driven to the hinterlands and eliminated from any position of power.
So I'm about to lift, but bear with this incoherence.
Between own instincts/understanding + Moldbug & Jim why did this fail?
• I’d say because President is a pussy
• Well what is a pussy – someone with poor morale
• How do you improve morale – brothers
• Jim would say he lacked an alternative faith
• What’s the meaning of alt faith in politics? Manpower
• Institutions
• Moldbug would say something similar – President v Presidency
• To hold down a coup you need a parallel government or personnel
So, yes it could happen "here" but same result.
• How did the Germans conquer Rome & why are coups only successful among Arabs?
• Clans & Tribes
• You already have men who are personally loyal to you vs loyal to state (ideals)
• You need a new faith which organizes your ethnicity (clan structure) into a super-tribe
Otherwise, military officers are selected for other traits in peace-time at least.
Idk,
Also bro - https://x.com/GSurreycanucks/status/1864488323630186546
I honestly still have absolutely no idea what's going on in Korea, so take your pick.
Alright, I'm late posting here but interesting comment.
Still, I would say this coup could have gone places if he had armed men who were willing to take decisive action against his enemies. Might have still failed, but could have gone places.
The fact the SK military didn't succeed at breaking into Parliament, given several hours to do so and in the total absence of armed opposition, is strong evidence that it didn't really want to succeed. Everyone involved was dragging his feet, complying somewhat in case the coup was a success, but not complying too much in the more likely event it wasn't.
Why? Because Yoon was deeply unpopular. Apparently, even within his own party. He didn't have a deep bench of loyal support, primarily because, as far as I can tell, he sucks.
The ideal time to launch a self-coup is when you're at the peak of your popularity. It also helps if the opposition does something obviously illegal (even if you lure them into it) that justifies your crackdown, especially among the rank-and-file forces that are being told to kick down doors and conduct mass arrests. A Reichstag fire. Or the Gulenist attempt against Erdogan.
Why is it that all these S. Korean presidents end up dead or in prison?
Good question, I wish I fully understood. The guy before Yoon didn't, but before that I think it was 3 in a row.
My best guess would be that it's just culturally an utterly corrupt swamp even by the ordinary standards of politics. Bad behavior is normalized and halfway honest men are unlikely to get far.
Best comparison I'm aware of would be governors of IL, where you had 2 in a row (Ryan and Blago) that ended up in prison, and another one 2 governors back, and Pritzker has been under investigation for property tax fraud (and if you listen to my relatives that still live in that state, probably ought to be hanged on general principle in any event).
I think it's part of Korean culture... If you've ever heard the story of Admiral Yi, you'll know what I mean. The best of men are basically driven to the hinterlands and eliminated from any position of power.