Marxist-Leninist Party of Germany
Marxist-Leninist Party of Germany Marxistisch-Leninistische Partei Deutschland | |
|---|---|
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| Abbreviation | MLPD |
| Founded | June 20, 1982 |
| Political orientation |
Marxism-Leninism Anti-Revisionism Mao Zedong Thought |
| Political position | Far-left |
| Party flag | |
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The Marxist-Leninist Party of Germany (German: Marxistisch-Leninistische Partei Deutschlands, MLPD) is a communist political party in Germany founded in 1982. It emerged from the Communist Workers Union of Germany (Kommunistischer Arbeiterbund Deutschlands; KABD).
The MLPD advocates for a proletarian seizure of power with the aim of overthrowing capitalist relations of production and establishing a socialist-oriented social order. This socialist phase is viewed as a necessary transitional stage toward the creation of a classless, communist society. The party bases its ideology on the theories and practices of Karl Marx, Friedrich Engels, and Vladimir Lenin. It rejects the terms "Stalinism" and "Maoism" as pejorative labels used to divide the Marxist–Leninist movement. While offering critical assessments of certain political positions held by Joseph Stalin and Mao Zedong, the MLPD defends key aspects of their work, distinguishing itself from many other left-wing groups in Germany.
Until 2017, the MLPD participated in the International Conference of Marxist–Leninist Parties and Organizations (ICMLPO). In 2010, it became a member of the International Coordination of Revolutionary Parties and Organizations (ICOR).
Ideology and Political Orientation
At its core, the MLPD upholds the fundamental principles of Marxism–Leninism, including the goal of establishing a socialist society through proletarian revolution. The party strongly opposes revisionism and defends the historical achievements of former socialist states, particularly the Soviet Union from 1917 to 1956 and the People’s Republic of China from 1949 to 1978. It refers to its ideological position as "Echter Sozialismus" ("Genuine Socialism"), a term used to distinguish itself from what it regards as revisionist and reformist tendencies, including Trotskyism, which the MLPD characterizes as a "petty-bourgeois divergence from Marxism." Through this framework, the party differentiates itself from other left-wing organizations in Germany such as the German Communist Party (DKP), The Left (Die Linke), and the Socialist Equality Party (SGP).
Revolutionary Strategy and Internationalism
The MLPD advocates for the preparation and eventual realization of an international socialist revolution, emphasizing the interconnectedness of national and global class struggles. The party’s strategy centers on building a revolutionary movement that unites workers across borders and opposes global imperialism. It supports liberation struggles worldwide and has developed the concept of "new-imperialist countries", such as Russia, China, and India—to analyze shifts in global power structures and competition.
Environmental Policy
Since its 2012 party congress, the MLPD has prioritized environmental work as a central strategic objective, second only to its revolutionary goals. The party argues that the world is transitioning from an environmental crisis to a global environmental catastrophe, driven by the capitalist mode of production’s inherent focus on profit maximization. It views the environmental crisis as an existential threat and a fundamental aspect of class struggle.
The MLPD calls for a comprehensive transformation of society's relationship with nature, including changes in production, consumption, science, education, and cultural norms. It argues that these changes require the overthrow of capitalist relations and the establishment of socialist power structures. The party envisions a society in which production serves human needs in ecological balance, grounded in the "unity of humanity and nature." A "class struggle for a change in thinking" is seen as an essential element of this process.
Women's Liberation
The MLPD identifies women’s liberation as an essential component of the broader working-class struggle. The party stresses the need to combine the fight against capitalist exploitation with the fight against women’s oppression. It regards gender equality not as a secondary or isolated issue but as intrinsically linked to the goal of socialist transformation.
Cultural Revolution and Theoretical Development
The MLPD recognizes Mao Zedong’s concept of the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution as a significant advancement in Marxist–Leninist theory, particularly regarding the continuation of class struggle under socialism and the fight against bureaucratization.
The party’s theoretical foundation is articulated through its publication series Revolutionärer Weg ("Revolutionary Way"), which provides Marxist–Leninist analysis of contemporary political, social, and economic issues. The series serves as a vehicle for ideological education and the formulation of revolutionary strategy.
Party Organization and Ideological Work
The MLPD places strong emphasis on ideological struggle and the development of proletarian consciousness, both within the party and among the broader working class. It prioritizes direct engagement and political work among the masses, viewing grassroots organizing as essential to building a revolutionary movement. The party promotes continuous self-education and collective learning to strengthen its organizational capabilities and political clarity.
Literature
Party
[Organizational Principles of the MLPD]
Willi Dickhut
- That's How It Was Then, from 1979
- State-Monopoly Capitalism in the FRG (Vol. 1 & 2), from 1979
- War and Peace and the Socialist Revolution, from 1983
- Lenin, the Brilliant Leader of the Proletariat, from 1984
- Correspondence on Questions of the Theory and Practice of Party Building, from 1984
- Crises and Class Struggle, from 1985
- Proletarian Resistance Against Fascism and War (Vol. 1 & 2), from 1987
- Materialist Dialectics and Bourgeois Natural Science, from 1987
- The Restoration of Capitalism in the Soviet Union, from 1988
- The Dialectical Unity of Theory and Practice, from 1988
- Trade Unions and Class Struggle, from 1988
- What Happened Next, from 1990
- Is Socialism at an End?, from 1992
Stefan Engel
[On the Emergance of New-Imperialist Countries]
