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Maoism
Maoism, known fully as Marxism–Leninism–Maoism (MLM), is a communist ideology which claims to represent a universal doctrine, basing itself off the contributions of Mao Zedong of the Communist Party of China. Described by its adherents as a "third stage" of Marxism, it incorporates theories such as protracted people's war, New Democracy, cultural revolution, etc. to form a "qualitative leap" in Marxist theory.[1] While traditional Marxism–Leninism focused primarily on the industrial proletariat as the leading revolutionary class, Marxism–Leninism–Maoism, drawing heavily from Mao's experiences in China, recognizes the poor peasantry as the main engine of revolutionary change in pre-industrial, semi-colonial, and semi-feudal societies. There are internal disagreements in Maoism, with some favoring the line of the Communist Party of the Philippines while others siding with the Communist Party of Peru (Shining Path), the latter grouping are known as "Gonzaloists".
Maoism has been criticized by most Marxist–Leninists for failing to meaningfully advance revolutionary theory and applying a dogmatic outlook. Hoxhaists in particular view MLM as being an extension of the revisionism of Mao Zedong Thought which Enver Hoxha sharply criticized during the Sino-Albanian split.
History
Origins
Marxism–Leninism–Maoism has its origins in Mao Zedong Thought. While initially believed to only be applicable to Chinese conditions, Mao Zedong Thought was recognized at the 9th congress of the Communist Party of China in 1969 as having a universal scope and representing a new stage in Marxism.
Development
Maoism as Marxism–Leninism–Maoism was recognized by the Communist Party of Peru (Shining Path) in the 1980s as being the most advanced form of Marxism. In 1988, the writing On Marxism–Leninism–Maoism was released by the PCP-SL which provided a basis for the universal theory. In the 1980s, during the communist insurgency in Peru, increased unity between Maoist parties and other formations resulted in the formation of the Revolutionary Internationalist Movement, composed of Maoist parties globally.
Theory
Maoism claims to adopt and expand upon the theory of Marxism–Leninism, but also includes a sizable corpus of its own theory.
Anti-revisionism
Maoists uphold anti-revisionism as a foundational tenant of their ideology, believing revisionism to be the primary cause of degradation in the international communist movement and behind the dissolution of the Soviet Union.
Necessity of people's war
Maoists uphold protracted people's war as being applicable to countries outside of China. The extent to which it is universal is disputed by Maoists, with some (particularly Gonzaloists) regarding it as universal and the sole means of revolution, even in the industrial countries.
Mass line
The "mass line" is the Maoist theory of the communist party interacting with the masses. With the mass line, the Maoist communist party hears the grievances of the masses and answers them with communist solutions.
Bureaucrat capitalism
"Bureaucrat capitalism" is the Maoist concept of the economic system established in imperialized countries. With bureaucrat capitalism, the local feudal strata combine with the comprador bourgeoisie to establish an exploitative system for the benefit of the imperialist bourgeoisie.
"Social-imperialism" as a returning threat
Maoists maintain that the Soviet Union after around 1956 became "social-imperialist," and believe that China developed a social-imperialist system around 1978. Maoists view social-imperialism as one of the main forms of imperialism in the modern day and a threat to the communist movement.
Unity-struggle-unity and two-line struggle
Maoists believe that the party process operates on the basis of "unity, struggle, unity." This means that an ideological struggle takes place within the party on the basis of "one divides into two," and through proper two-line struggle, unity is restored and the rightist line is combated.
Further reading
- On Marxism–Leninism–Maoism (1988), by the Communist Party of Peru (Shining Path). Available on Red Library.
- Marxism–Leninism–Maoism Basic Course (2019) (5th ed.), by the Communist Party of India (Maoist)
See also
References
- ↑ "Why Maoism — What is Maoism?" (August 19, 2019). Tjen Folket Media. Retrieved May 1, 2026.