on its own ideological terms

[unpakwon]

What is the following in bold saying in the context?

The North Korea is more likely to suffer a mass legitimation crisis if it is seen as failing on its own ideological terms. Such a perception could result from a humiliating retreat in regard to nuclear weapons, but the North Korean leadership is less likely than our own to make that kind of error.

Thank you.

[freezeframe]

What is the following in bold saying in the context?

The North Korea is more likely to suffer a mass legitimation crisis if it is seen as failing on its own ideological terms. Such a perception could result from a humiliating retreat in regard to nuclear weapons, but the North Korean leadership is less likely than our own to make that kind of error.

Thank you.

When you think whether a regime is failing, your decision is influenced by which ideology you are thinking through.

For example, if you think in terms of democratic ideology, then communist authoritarian regime is a failure. But if you think in terms of communist authoritarian ideology, then a communist authoritarian regime is not a failure.

North Korean regime is failing according to its own ideology, not according to some outside ideology.

[unpakwon]

I see.

Thanks a million.