Hoxhaism vs. Posadism

Attribute	Hoxhaism	Posadism
Founder	Enver Hoxha	Juan Posadas
Ideology	Marxism-Leninism	Trotskyism
Key Beliefs	Anti-revisionism, self-reliance, class struggle	Nuclear war as a catalyst for socialist revolution, contact with extraterrestrial life
International Influence	Albania	Argentina, Latin America

Overview

Hoxhaism and Posadism are two distinct ideologies within the realm of Marxism-Leninism. While they both share some commonalities with traditional Marxist thought, they also have unique attributes that set them apart from each other. In this article, we will explore the key characteristics of Hoxhaism and Posadism, highlighting their differences and similarities.

History and Origins

Hoxhaism is named after Enver Hoxha, the former leader of Albania who developed the ideology in the mid-20th century. Hoxhaism is characterized by its emphasis on anti-revisionism and staunch opposition to both Soviet and Chinese forms of communism. On the other hand, Posadism is named after J. Posadas, an Argentine Trotskyist who later developed his own unique brand of Marxism. Posadism gained popularity in the 1960s and is known for its focus on nuclear war and the potential for an alien intervention in human affairs.

Economic Theory

In terms of economic theory, Hoxhaism advocates for a centrally planned economy with a focus on self-reliance and the development of heavy industry. Hoxhaists believe in the importance of collectivization and state control over the means of production. Posadism, on the other hand, puts less emphasis on economic theory and more on the potential for a post-capitalist society to emerge from a catastrophic event like nuclear war. Posadists believe that such an event could lead to a global revolution and the establishment of a new socialist order.

Internationalism

Both Hoxhaism and Posadism are internationalist ideologies that seek to spread their ideas beyond national borders. Hoxhaism emphasizes the importance of solidarity among socialist states and the need to resist imperialism and revisionism. Hoxhaists believe in the necessity of a united front against capitalist powers. Posadism, on the other hand, takes a more radical approach to internationalism, advocating for a global revolution that transcends national boundaries. Posadists believe that the working class must unite on a global scale to overthrow capitalism and establish socialism.

Environmentalism

While both Hoxhaism and Posadism have a focus on social change, Posadism stands out for its emphasis on environmentalism. Posadists believe that the threat of nuclear war and environmental destruction are interconnected, and that capitalism is inherently destructive to the planet. Posadists advocate for a radical transformation of society to address these issues, including the establishment of a sustainable economy and the protection of the environment. Hoxhaism, on the other hand, does not place as much emphasis on environmentalism in its ideology.

Revolutionary Strategy

When it comes to revolutionary strategy, Hoxhaism and Posadism have different approaches. Hoxhaism advocates for a gradualist approach to revolution, focusing on building a strong socialist state and resisting imperialist aggression. Hoxhaists believe in the importance of armed struggle and the need for a vanguard party to lead the revolution. Posadism, on the other hand, takes a more apocalyptic view of revolution, believing that a catastrophic event like nuclear war will be the catalyst for global socialist revolution. Posadists believe in the potential for a spontaneous uprising of the masses in the face of such a crisis.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Hoxhaism and Posadism are two distinct ideologies within the Marxist-Leninist tradition. While they share some commonalities, such as their internationalist outlook and opposition to capitalism, they also have significant differences in terms of their economic theory, revolutionary strategy, and approach to environmentalism. Understanding these differences can provide insight into the diverse range of Marxist thought and the various ways in which socialism can be envisioned and pursued.