Guevarism vs. Maoism

Attribute	Guevarism	Maoism
Founder	Che Guevara	Mao Zedong
Philosophy	Foco theory, armed struggle	Mass line, cultural revolution
Role of the individual	Emphasis on individual action and sacrifice	Emphasis on collective action and leadership
Internationalism	Advocated for global revolution	Advocated for self-reliance and national liberation
Revolutionary strategy	Focus on guerrilla warfare	Focus on peasant and worker mobilization

Introduction

Guevarism and Maoism are two ideologies that emerged in the mid-20th century as responses to the prevailing political and social conditions in Latin America and China, respectively. Both ideologies were influenced by Marxist thought but developed their own unique characteristics and strategies for achieving revolutionary change. In this article, we will compare the attributes of Guevarism and Maoism to better understand their similarities and differences.

Historical Context

Guevarism, named after the Argentine revolutionary Ernesto "Che" Guevara, emerged in the context of the Cuban Revolution of 1959. Guevara played a key role in the overthrow of the Batista regime and became a symbol of anti-imperialist struggle in Latin America. Maoism, on the other hand, was developed by Chinese Communist leader Mao Zedong during the Chinese Civil War and the establishment of the People's Republic of China in 1949. Both ideologies were born out of armed struggle against oppressive regimes and foreign domination.

Revolutionary Strategy

One of the key differences between Guevarism and Maoism lies in their revolutionary strategies. Guevarism emphasizes the importance of armed struggle and guerrilla warfare as a means to overthrow capitalist and imperialist powers. Guevara believed in the "foco" theory, which posited that a small group of dedicated revolutionaries could spark a larger uprising among the masses. Maoism, on the other hand, focuses on building a mass movement through protracted people's war and mobilizing the peasantry as the revolutionary vanguard. Mao Zedong's strategy was based on the concept of "surrounding the cities from the countryside."

Role of the Peasantry

Both Guevarism and Maoism place a strong emphasis on the role of the peasantry in the revolutionary struggle. Guevara believed that the rural peasantry, as well as the urban proletariat, could be mobilized to overthrow capitalist and imperialist forces. He saw the peasantry as a key revolutionary force due to their direct experience of exploitation and oppression. Maoism similarly views the peasantry as a crucial ally in the struggle against feudalism and imperialism, with Mao famously stating that "political power grows out of the barrel of a gun."

Internationalism

Another important aspect of both Guevarism and Maoism is their commitment to internationalism and solidarity with other oppressed peoples around the world. Guevara famously advocated for "two, three, many Vietnams" in reference to the struggle against U.S. imperialism in Vietnam. He believed that revolutionary movements in different countries were interconnected and could support each other in the fight against imperialism. Maoism also emphasized the importance of international solidarity, with Mao supporting revolutionary movements in countries such as Vietnam, Cuba, and Angola.

Leadership and Cult of Personality

One notable similarity between Guevarism and Maoism is the cult of personality that developed around their respective leaders, Che Guevara and Mao Zedong. Both figures were seen as charismatic and inspirational leaders who embodied the revolutionary spirit of their movements. Guevara's image became iconic in the global struggle against imperialism, while Mao's image was used to promote the ideology of Mao Zedong Thought. However, the cult of personality around Mao reached extreme levels during the Cultural Revolution, leading to widespread violence and chaos in China.

Legacy and Influence

Despite their differences, both Guevarism and Maoism have had a lasting impact on revolutionary movements around the world. Guevara's ideas continue to inspire anti-imperialist struggles in Latin America and beyond, with his image adorning posters and t-shirts of activists and revolutionaries. Maoism, on the other hand, has influenced communist movements in countries such as Nepal, India, and the Philippines, where Maoist guerrilla groups have waged armed struggle against the state. While both ideologies have faced criticism for their authoritarian tendencies and human rights abuses, they remain important sources of inspiration for those seeking to challenge capitalist and imperialist domination.