Maoism

Marxism–Leninism–Maoism

Poster depicting the foundational theorists of Maoism.
Class represented	Proletariat
Position	Revolutionary communist
Major figures	Abimael Guzmán
Related tendencies	Marxism–Leninism Mao Zedong Thought
Organizations	International Communist League Revolutionary Internationalist Movement

Not to be confused with Mao Zedong Thought

Maoism, known fully as Marxism–Leninism–Maoism, is a communist framework which upholds the theoretical developments of Chinese leader Mao Zedong as a new stage in Marxist thought. Maoism differs from Mao Zedong Thought in that its followers regard its theory as holding a universally-applicable (or near-universal) character as opposed to its progenitor, which was largely developed to account for the conditions of agrarian and semi-feudal countries as China was in the mid-20th century.

Maoism carries over the developments of Mao Zedong into its doctrine, which maintains his theories such as protracted people's war, New Democracy, etc. Maoism as a modern tendency was defined by Abimael Guzmán, leader of the Communist Party of Peru, whom many Maoists regard as being a foundational theorist of Marxism alongside Mao Zedong. Maoism is upheld by several major communist formations across the globe, including the Communist Party of the Philippines, Communist Party of India (Maoist), and Communist Party of Turkey/Marxist–Leninist.

Development

Marxism–Leninism–Maoism originated at the time of the formation of the Communist Party of Peru and its people's war. During the people's war, increased ideological coordination among Maoist parties culminated in the founding of the Revolutionary Internationalist Movement. Founding members of the Revolutionary Internationalist Movement included the TKP/ML, Communist Party of the Philippines, Iranian Sarbedaran, Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist), Indian Maoists, and the Revolutionary Communist Party (USA). All parties participating in the RIM adopted Marxism–Leninism–Maoism as put forth by the Communist Party of Peru's leadership.

Ideology

See also: Marxism–Leninism § Theory

Maoism as a qualitative development

propagating Maoism. The essential justification for Maoist theory lies in its alleged role as a third and higher stage of Marxism; a creative development of it whose contributions are suitable to all the peoples of the world. Maoists posit that through the “masterful” theoretical advancements of Mao Zedong and Abimael Guzmán, Marxism underwent a great qualitative leap from both Marxism and Leninism, spawning a universalized augmentation of Mao Zedong Thought known as Marxism–Leninism–Maoism.

New Democracy

Main article: New Democracy

As with Mao Zedong Thought, Maoism upholds New Democracy as a transitional period prior to the implementation of the traditional dictatorship of the proletariat. It is understood by Maoists to be the rule and hegemony of the proletariat in alliance with the peasantry, petite-bourgeoisie, and national bourgeoisie.

Bureaucrat capitalism

Main article: Bureaucrat capitalism

Maoists expand the Marxist understanding of political economy with an analysis of the manifestation of capitalism which emerges in imperialized and dependent countries — bureaucrat capitalism. Bureaucrat capitalism creates dependency on foreign capital from imperialist states in countries which are semi-colonial or semi-feudal as opposed to developing capitalist relations domestically. Bureaucrat capitalism is also a form of state-monopoly capitalism under which there exists a class alliance of the comprador bourgeoisie, state capitalists, and decaying feudal landlords.

Cultural revolution

Main article: Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution

Maoism holds that the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution in China is universally applicable and must be practiced to maintain and strengthen the workers' state. Maoism believe that a socialist state must have multiple cultural revolutions during its existence to excise bourgeois elements from the party.

Protracted people's war

Main article: Protracted people's war

Maoists generally uphold protracted people’s war (to varying degrees of applicability). People's war was first developed as a military theory within the context of the Chinese revolution led by Mao Zedong of the Communist Party of China. With people's war, the revolutionary forces slowly develop from defensive guerilla actions to offensive actions and positional warfare against the bourgeois state. Maoists debate the extent to which people's war is applicable, many arguing it is universal while some holding that its scope is limited to agrarian countries.

Great leadership

Main article: Great leadership

Great leadership, also known by its Spanish name, Jefatura, holds that with each instance of revolutionary struggle, a smaller group of great leaders emerge from the most advanced elements of the proletariat who are able to apply Marxism to their country and spearhead the communist party.

Guiding thought

Main article: Guiding thought

Guiding thought holds that with every country, the great leadership of the communist party develops a unique "thought" which applies Maoism to the country's conditions. In the context of China, this was Mao Zedong Thought, and in Peru, Gonzalo Thought.

Mass line

Main article: Mass line

Maoism upholds the mass line as a method for interacting with, and meeting the needs of, the people. The mass line is premised on the party communicating with the masses, understanding their grievances and desires, and adjusting party practice accordingly. Mao summarized the mass line as being "from the masses, to the masses".

See also

• Mao Zedong Thought
• International Communist League (2022)
• Revolutionary Internationalist Movement