I suspect the reality is that very few persons will actually be punished, and the death penalty restricted to only the most prolific smugglers - just enough to send the message and let fear dissuade the rest.
Of course, that in itself is utterly tyrannical, but it is less evil in practice than it is on paper.
Probably correct. Not that I condone capital punishment for minor offences, but I'm not sure that 10 deaths vs. 10,000 man-years of imprisonment or slavery is a more immoral position.
NK is a pretty strange animal, though. Enforcing strictness in one area wouldn't translate well unless there was a psychological establishment of compliance cultivated over generations. It's use is to view one potential extreme, not to emulate. Still, it's worth studying.
But on the other hand, comically evil severity is probably the quickest way to ensure compliance, and in turn minimize harm.
It's true.
I suspect the reality is that very few persons will actually be punished, and the death penalty restricted to only the most prolific smugglers - just enough to send the message and let fear dissuade the rest.
Of course, that in itself is utterly tyrannical, but it is less evil in practice than it is on paper.
Probably correct. Not that I condone capital punishment for minor offences, but I'm not sure that 10 deaths vs. 10,000 man-years of imprisonment or slavery is a more immoral position.
NK is a pretty strange animal, though. Enforcing strictness in one area wouldn't translate well unless there was a psychological establishment of compliance cultivated over generations. It's use is to view one potential extreme, not to emulate. Still, it's worth studying.