Jamie Doucette
@jamiedoucette.bsky.social
Reader in Human Geography @ University of Manchester. Author of The Postdevelopmental State: Dilemmas of Economic Democratization in Contemporary South Korea (Michigan: 2024, OA). Co-Editor: Developmentalist Cities? (Brill/Haymarket 2019). North sea surfer
Pinned
Jamie Doucette
@jamiedoucette.bsky.social
· Nov 14
The Postdevelopmental State
Over the last 25 years, South Korea has witnessed growing inequality due to the proliferation of non-standard employment, ballooning household debt, deepening export-dependency, and the growth of supe...
press.umich.edu
It came out in late September, but since I've been off twitter for over a year, I thought I'd announce my new book here. It is also open access so available for free.
Reposted by Jamie Doucette
In recent weeks, claims of a “productivity miracle” in some of the UK’s northern cities have sparked lively debate.
This new LPIP blog from Bec Riley digs into the data, challenges and highlights why success stories often overlook the complex realities.
https://ow.ly/qOkx50YenBU
This new LPIP blog from Bec Riley digs into the data, challenges and highlights why success stories often overlook the complex realities.
https://ow.ly/qOkx50YenBU
February 12, 2026 at 3:30 PM
In recent weeks, claims of a “productivity miracle” in some of the UK’s northern cities have sparked lively debate.
This new LPIP blog from Bec Riley digs into the data, challenges and highlights why success stories often overlook the complex realities.
https://ow.ly/qOkx50YenBU
This new LPIP blog from Bec Riley digs into the data, challenges and highlights why success stories often overlook the complex realities.
https://ow.ly/qOkx50YenBU
Non-American here: I still can't tell you who played in the superbowl. But I do know all about the epic Bad Bunny performance. I think that is not a bad thing.
February 9, 2026 at 1:55 PM
Non-American here: I still can't tell you who played in the superbowl. But I do know all about the epic Bad Bunny performance. I think that is not a bad thing.
An older article, but good description of the rationale for Lee's state reorganization drive. You may have seen it in the news last week with the withdrawal of Conservative lawmaker Lee Hye-hoon due to abuse of power allegations.
Lee Jae-myung pushes to split Finance Ministry’s budget powers
Presidential front-runner Rep. Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party of Korea has proposed a large-scale restructuring of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, a
www.koreaherald.com
February 2, 2026 at 1:25 PM
An older article, but good description of the rationale for Lee's state reorganization drive. You may have seen it in the news last week with the withdrawal of Conservative lawmaker Lee Hye-hoon due to abuse of power allegations.
File under: housing policy (or lack thereof?)
February 2, 2026 at 12:55 PM
File under: housing policy (or lack thereof?)
Important piece by my friend and colleague Anders Riel Muller.
Adoption as banishment: Why Korea's adoptees deserve more than symbolic redress - The Korea Times
The renewal of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) for a third mandate on Jan. 29 offers a new opportunity to address the unresolved adop...
www.koreatimes.co.kr
February 2, 2026 at 10:09 AM
Important piece by my friend and colleague Anders Riel Muller.
If you’ve been following the company fiasco: jacobin.com/2026/01/coup.... Jd vance recently involved in it: www.hani.co.kr/arti/english...
Coupang, South Korea’s Amazon, Is Copying Its Worst Habits
The South Korean e-commerce platform Coupang has been engulfed by scandals over data breaches and dangerous work conditions. Having spent millions to lobby US politicians, the firm is now calling in t...
jacobin.com
February 1, 2026 at 5:38 PM
If you’ve been following the company fiasco: jacobin.com/2026/01/coup.... Jd vance recently involved in it: www.hani.co.kr/arti/english...
Looks good
January 21, 2026 at 8:29 AM
Looks good
Nice to see that this is out in a print volume. Ironically, it comes just as the Ministry of Land, Housing, and Transport begins to consider lifting Greenbelt restrictions once again.
THE CONSTRUCTION STATE UNBOUND? Struggles over the Seoul Metropolitan Region’s Greenbelt in an Era of Planetary Urbanization
This article builds on recent interventions into the study of planetary urbanization that call for greater interaction with the multiple social struggles and standpoints that embed this process. To d...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
January 11, 2026 at 11:23 AM
Nice to see that this is out in a print volume. Ironically, it comes just as the Ministry of Land, Housing, and Transport begins to consider lifting Greenbelt restrictions once again.
To read later.
Wrote for @thenewworldmag.bsky.social on the contemporary Taiwanese indie scene
www.thenewworld.co.uk/brian-hioe-w...
www.thenewworld.co.uk/brian-hioe-w...
Welcome to the Taiwanese indie boom
Living so close to a huge unfriendly neighbour has made our politics intense – but it has also done the same for our music culture
www.thenewworld.co.uk
January 9, 2026 at 8:04 AM
To read later.
Reposted by Jamie Doucette
A hot topic in Korea right now is Coupang - the dominant online retailing company known for cheap prices, lightning fast delivery etc.
They're in the hot seat for a myriad of shitty behavior. But looking at the litany of complaints about them
1/n
They're in the hot seat for a myriad of shitty behavior. But looking at the litany of complaints about them
1/n
January 6, 2026 at 8:15 PM
A hot topic in Korea right now is Coupang - the dominant online retailing company known for cheap prices, lightning fast delivery etc.
They're in the hot seat for a myriad of shitty behavior. But looking at the litany of complaints about them
1/n
They're in the hot seat for a myriad of shitty behavior. But looking at the litany of complaints about them
1/n
Reposted by Jamie Doucette
Some might be tempted to think Mark Lutter’s “charter city” proposal for Venezuela is reasonable. Many such people are unaware of the ideology of the men—eg, Palantir co-founders Peter Thiel & Joe Lonsdale & Thiel Fellowship co-founder Michael Gibson —who fund or otherwise promote Lutter’s work. 1/
January 6, 2026 at 8:49 PM
Some might be tempted to think Mark Lutter’s “charter city” proposal for Venezuela is reasonable. Many such people are unaware of the ideology of the men—eg, Palantir co-founders Peter Thiel & Joe Lonsdale & Thiel Fellowship co-founder Michael Gibson —who fund or otherwise promote Lutter’s work. 1/
Reposted by Jamie Doucette
Once again geopolitical conflict is roiling speculative oil futures markets…but which way?? Good time to learn about how these casinos work & why we need more rational ways to set energy prices. Watch our #FalseProfits explainers:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4mp...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDkb...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4mp...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDkb...
The High Cost of Oil's Wild Ride
YouTube video by Centre For Future Work
www.youtube.com
January 5, 2026 at 6:07 PM
Once again geopolitical conflict is roiling speculative oil futures markets…but which way?? Good time to learn about how these casinos work & why we need more rational ways to set energy prices. Watch our #FalseProfits explainers:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4mp...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDkb...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4mp...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDkb...
Looking forward to reading this article (weird cover image aside!) academic.oup.com/ahr/article/...
The Highest Stage of Nationalism: Postcolonial Fascism in Korea and Breaking Fascism Out of a Eurocentric Frame
Abstract. The study of fascism has long been dominated by a Eurocentric perspective that dismisses the presence of fascist ideologies and movements outside
academic.oup.com
December 26, 2025 at 10:36 PM
Looking forward to reading this article (weird cover image aside!) academic.oup.com/ahr/article/...
Reposted by Jamie Doucette
I went on my in my pal @alinau27.bsky.social 's podcast The Anti-Dystopians.
open.spotify.com/episode/19Q1...
open.spotify.com/episode/19Q1...
A World of VCs in Miniature: Silicon Valley's Ideology
open.spotify.com
December 17, 2025 at 6:21 PM
I went on my in my pal @alinau27.bsky.social 's podcast The Anti-Dystopians.
open.spotify.com/episode/19Q1...
open.spotify.com/episode/19Q1...
Reposted by Jamie Doucette
Pretty grim story here from Korea, but good to see the BBC covering it . . . .
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Freedom University: The right-wing group rallying youth in South Korea
Disgraced president Yoon Suk Yeol has become an unlikely poster boy for anti-government sentiment.
www.bbc.com
December 20, 2025 at 9:16 AM
Pretty grim story here from Korea, but good to see the BBC covering it . . . .
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Last year I recorded a podcast while visiting U Mich. It's just been published. The series is about personal and professional career paths. Lot's of talk about the 1990s alter-globalization movement, the problem with the IVY league, Oxbridge, and the North American tenure-track system... 1/2
How Did You Get Here? | Power and Resistance with Dr. Jamie Doucette | Korea in Maize & Blue
Bringing a background in activism to the study of democratization and economics, Dr. Jamie Doucette provides food for thought on modernity, American politics, academic labor rights, and structures of ...
korea-in-maize-blue.simplecast.com
December 19, 2025 at 10:26 AM
Last year I recorded a podcast while visiting U Mich. It's just been published. The series is about personal and professional career paths. Lot's of talk about the 1990s alter-globalization movement, the problem with the IVY league, Oxbridge, and the North American tenure-track system... 1/2
Reposted by Jamie Doucette
One of a lot of reports out there on another new Próspera-style neocolonial cryptobro tax avoidance scheme / Special Economic Zone #SEZ / post- #smartcity... this time on the island of #Nevis. I wish it nothing but disaster. h/t for this story to @rosamundevb.bsky.social
Belgian crypto billionaire Olivier Janssens is planning to establish a "libertarian community" with its own legal system in Saint Kitts and Nevis.
Belgian crypto-billionaire wants to build the ‘Dubai of the Caribbean’
Belgian crypto-billionaire wants to build the 'Dubai of the Caribbean'
www.brusselstimes.com
December 18, 2025 at 12:26 PM
One of a lot of reports out there on another new Próspera-style neocolonial cryptobro tax avoidance scheme / Special Economic Zone #SEZ / post- #smartcity... this time on the island of #Nevis. I wish it nothing but disaster. h/t for this story to @rosamundevb.bsky.social
Reposted by Jamie Doucette
Fantastic piece from Youbin Kang in Lux Magazine exploring the intersecting solidarities of labour, queer, and feminist activists (bound together by K-Pop) that brought down the Yoon Suk-Yeol government last year 🫰✊🏳️🌈
lux-magazine.com/article/comr...
lux-magazine.com/article/comr...
The Sting of Hornet Comrade
When Korea's president staged a coup, feminists, queers, and K-pop fans swarmed the barricades to join the labor movement.
lux-magazine.com
December 14, 2025 at 7:59 PM
Fantastic piece from Youbin Kang in Lux Magazine exploring the intersecting solidarities of labour, queer, and feminist activists (bound together by K-Pop) that brought down the Yoon Suk-Yeol government last year 🫰✊🏳️🌈
lux-magazine.com/article/comr...
lux-magazine.com/article/comr...
Reposted by Jamie Doucette
It happened! The @nytimes.com profiled Paulina!
The Writer Who Dared Criticize Silicon Valley
Paulina Borsook’s “Cyberselfish,” which offered dire predictions about the tech world’s love for libertarianism, is finding fans. It only took 25 years.
Gift Link:
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/27/t...
The Writer Who Dared Criticize Silicon Valley
Paulina Borsook’s “Cyberselfish,” which offered dire predictions about the tech world’s love for libertarianism, is finding fans. It only took 25 years.
Gift Link:
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/27/t...
November 27, 2025 at 4:39 PM
It happened! The @nytimes.com profiled Paulina!
The Writer Who Dared Criticize Silicon Valley
Paulina Borsook’s “Cyberselfish,” which offered dire predictions about the tech world’s love for libertarianism, is finding fans. It only took 25 years.
Gift Link:
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/27/t...
The Writer Who Dared Criticize Silicon Valley
Paulina Borsook’s “Cyberselfish,” which offered dire predictions about the tech world’s love for libertarianism, is finding fans. It only took 25 years.
Gift Link:
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/27/t...
I don't normally post FT content, but, wow, this article is excellent! Surveys a range of actors, initiatives, and critics active in this space. It can feel niche teaching about this so great to see it covered in a single article. #startupcities #blockchain #cryptobros #neoreaction #chartercities
Tech elites are starting their own for-profit cities
They want to escape from regulation and ‘failing’ democracy — but are they more opportunistic than libertarian?
www.ft.com
December 7, 2025 at 10:48 AM
I don't normally post FT content, but, wow, this article is excellent! Surveys a range of actors, initiatives, and critics active in this space. It can feel niche teaching about this so great to see it covered in a single article. #startupcities #blockchain #cryptobros #neoreaction #chartercities
Good day to repost this collection
Nice to see that the whole special issue on Korea's martial law crisis and prodemocracy protests is finally out as a complete collection: www.tandfonline.com/toc/rcra20/5...
Critical Asian Studies
Volume 57, Issue 3 of Critical Asian Studies
www.tandfonline.com
December 3, 2025 at 2:26 PM
Good day to repost this collection
Last year on this day my PhD student knocked on my door 20 mins after Yoon declared martial law. I couldn’t believe it at first. Almost as quickly Jacobin asked for a rush article. For the next six hours we found every live feed and news wire we could and published our initial take.
South Korea’s Three-Hour Coup
Earlier today, South Korean president Yoon Suk-yeol declared martial law. The short-lived coup was an act of desperation by a deeply unpopular right-wing leader and has only strengthened opposition to...
jacobin.com
December 3, 2025 at 12:14 PM
Last year on this day my PhD student knocked on my door 20 mins after Yoon declared martial law. I couldn’t believe it at first. Almost as quickly Jacobin asked for a rush article. For the next six hours we found every live feed and news wire we could and published our initial take.
Reposted by Jamie Doucette
Great to see @lausanhk.bsky.social's account of the Wang Fuk tragedy 🕯️✊
Tai Po in flames - Lausan
How Hongkongers are reviving mass action and mutual aid in the wake of the deadly fires in Tai Po.
lausancollective.com
December 1, 2025 at 3:28 AM
Great to see @lausanhk.bsky.social's account of the Wang Fuk tragedy 🕯️✊
Giving a talk at Stockholm University tomorrow if any one is around.
The Postdevelopmental State - Dilemmas of Economic Democratization in Contemporary South Korea - Stockholm Center for Global Asia
Join us for an Author Talk featuring Jamie Doucette, Reader in Human Geography at the University of Manchester. She will talk about The Postdevelopmental State - Dilemmas of Economic Democratization i...
www.su.se
November 27, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Giving a talk at Stockholm University tomorrow if any one is around.
I mean, it's fine, but its no Main or Commercial. Then again, haven't lived there for a while but I'm skeptical.
November 21, 2025 at 11:32 AM
I mean, it's fine, but its no Main or Commercial. Then again, haven't lived there for a while but I'm skeptical.