Navigating Oppression in Distinctive Ways

Even in the most restrictive situations, people frequently discover ingenious and

subtle methods to fight and assert their rights in the face of governments. North Korea

and China, both with complicated political landscapes, present dramatic illustrations of

how civilians fight official control and censorship on a daily basis. Inspired by James C.

Scott's idea of "everyday forms of resistance," delves into the secretive worlds of the

North Korean black market and the virtual protest spaces of Chinese social media.

These various acts of everyday resistance demonstrate the persistence and flexibility of

individuals negotiating oppressive regimes.

In the isolated nation of North Korea, the black market, commonly known as the

“jangmadang”, develops a hidden sanctuary of ordinary resistance. This unofficial

market allows for North Korean citizens to participate in prohibited transactions and

consume foreign media, technology and luxury goods. The ‘jangmadang’ acts as an

underground world where individuals express their individuality and avoid the state’s

attempt at absolute control, echoing James C. Scott’s idea of Everyday forms of

resistance.

On the other hand, social media platforms in China such as Weibo and WeChat

run as contested spaces, strictly regulated by the government. Citizens rely on such

apps as it allows for them to make payments or to install other apps and so cannot

avoid not using them. As a result, Chinese citizens use coded language and memes to
express themselves and avoid direct restrictions. This covert resistance is consistent

with James C. Scott’s concept, which demonstrates how individuals navigate virtual

protest places to criticize power while evading government inspection. Moreover, with

the popular use of Virtual Private Networks (VPN) in China, it allows people to bypass

internet restrictions. For instance, grand schools across China may use VPNs to grant

the students access to Google. With this, they are able to communicate with foreign

schools and intertwine different forms of education for higher quality learning. VPN use

illustrates ordinary citizens’ creativity in reclaiming their access to knowledge and

connectivity to the world beyond state-sanctioned narratives. These said acts of

rebellion is remarkably comparable with James C. Scott’s ideologies, in which

seemingly harmless activities take on enormous political consequences. Scott argues

that although these acts may seem mundane at first, they collectively call into question

the legitimacy of the state’s authority and influence. Moreover, the usage of VPNs

demonstrates Scott’s understanding of the value of public yet hidden transcripts.

James C. Scott’s work on “Everyday Forms of Resistance” provides a powerful

lens through which we can comprehend the lives of people in both North Korea and

China. While the situations differ, the basis of all efforts shows the desire for freedom

and opposition to oppressive governments. While both North Korea and China witness

acts of everyday resistance, the regimes’ response differ significantly. In North Korea,

discovery of jangmadang activities can result in severe punishment, reinforcing the

constant fear over its participants. In China, however, the government deploys

advanced technologies and monitoring to discover instances of social media opposition.

Punishments may range from the removal of content or more severe measures like

imprisonment.

The reality of North Korea and China shine a light on the irrepressible human

spirit in the face of repression via the prism of James C. Scott's beliefs on common

forms of resistance. North Korean jangmadang and Chinese social media resistance, as

well as VPN use, are more than just acts of survival; they represent individuals' struggle

for autonomy and dignity. While functioning in different circumstances, these subtle but

powerful methods enable ordinary persons to challenge authority, express dissent, and

carve out zones of relative freedom within the limitations of their society. Scott's

statement that simple efforts can bring about great transformations, delivering a ray of

hope even in the darkest parts of the globe, is reaffirmed by the persistent spirit of

everyday opposition.

Reference:

- “A Changing North Korea.” Libertyinnorthkorea.org,

libertyinnorthkorea.org/learn-a-changing-north-korea. Accessed 29 July

2023.

- Jiang, Chang, et al. “The Semiotic Guerrilla: Internet Subcultures as

Political Resistance in China.” Journal of Media and Communication

Studies, vol. 13, no. 4, 31 Dec. 2021, pp. 110–120,

https://doi.org/10.5897/jmcs2021.0750. Accessed 28 July 2023.

- ‌“China Internet Users Use VPN Servers to Cross Firewall.” Reuters, 28

Jan. 2010,

www.reuters.com/article/us-china-internet-idUSTRE60R2BB20100128.

Accessed 29 July 2023.