Maoism

Mao Zedong in 1959 (cropped)

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Pekín 1978 18

Deng Xiaoping and Jimmy Carter at the arrival ceremony for the Vice Premier of China. - NARA - 183157-restored(cropped)

Tsinghua University (Tsinghua Southern Road)

Maoism, also known as Mao Zedong Thought, is a variant of Marxism-Leninism developed by the Chinese leader Mao Zedong. It was the guiding political and military ideology of the Communist Party of China (CPC) during the Chinese Revolution and has had a significant influence on leftist movements worldwide, particularly in the context of Third World revolutions.

Origins and Development

Maoism emerged from Mao Zedong's experiences in the Chinese revolution and his interpretation of Marxist theory. It was officially recognized as the CPC's guiding ideology during the Yan'an period in the late 1930s and early 1940s, where Mao consolidated his control over the party. Maoism is characterized by its emphasis on the peasantry as the main revolutionary force, the concept of People's War, and the use of cultural revolution to transform society.

Key Concepts

• People's War: Maoism advocates for a protracted guerrilla warfare strategy, where peasants are mobilized to surround cities from the countryside.
• Mass Line: A method of leadership that involves consulting the masses, interpreting their suggestions within the framework of Marxism, and then enforcing the resulting policies.
• New Democracy: A transitional state concept where a coalition of classes, including peasants, workers, petty bourgeoisie, and national bourgeoisie, work together to achieve democratic dictatorship.
• Cultural Revolution: A movement initiated by Mao to preserve Chinese communism by purging remnants of capitalist and traditional elements from Chinese society, leading to widespread social, political, and economic chaos.

Global Influence

Maoism had a significant impact on global revolutionary movements, especially in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. It inspired several guerrilla movements, including the Shining Path in Peru, the Naxalites in India, and the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia. These movements adopted Mao's strategy of people's war and his vision of continuous revolution.

Criticism and Legacy

Maoism has been criticized for its role in the Great Leap Forward and the Cultural Revolution, periods in Chinese history that saw widespread famine, social upheaval, and the persecution of millions. Despite these controversies, Maoism remains influential in certain quarters of the global left and among some revolutionary movements.

See Also

• Marxism
• Leninism
• Stalinism
• Socialism
• Communism