Leninism vs. Maoism

Attribute	Leninism	Maoism
Founder	Vladimir Lenin	Mao Zedong
Key Texts	What Is to Be Done?, State and Revolution	Quotations from Chairman Mao
Role of the Party	Vanguard party leading the revolution	Mass line approach, emphasis on grassroots participation
Revolutionary Strategy	Seizure of state power through armed revolution	Protracted people's war
Economic Theory	New Economic Policy, state-controlled economy	Collectivization, Great Leap Forward
International Influence	Comintern, support for global revolution	Support for anti-imperialist movements, Third Worldism

Origins

Leninism and Maoism are two ideologies that emerged from the broader framework of Marxism. Leninism, named after Vladimir Lenin, was developed in Russia during the early 20th century. It was heavily influenced by the writings of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, but Lenin adapted Marxist theory to fit the conditions of Russia at the time. Maoism, on the other hand, is named after Mao Zedong and originated in China during the mid-20th century. Mao also drew heavily from Marxist theory, but he applied it to the specific circumstances of China.

Role of the Vanguard Party

One of the key aspects of Leninism is the concept of the vanguard party. Lenin believed that a small, disciplined party of professional revolutionaries was necessary to lead the working class in the overthrow of the capitalist system. The vanguard party would serve as the guiding force in the revolution, organizing and directing the masses towards the ultimate goal of establishing a socialist state. In contrast, Maoism also emphasizes the importance of a vanguard party, but Mao placed greater emphasis on the role of the peasantry in the revolution. Mao believed that the peasantry, as the largest class in China, could play a leading role in the revolutionary struggle alongside the proletariat.

Class Struggle

Both Leninism and Maoism view class struggle as a fundamental aspect of society. Leninism sees the struggle between the proletariat and the bourgeoisie as the driving force behind historical change. Lenin believed that the working class must seize power from the capitalist class through a violent revolution in order to establish a dictatorship of the proletariat. Maoism, on the other hand, places greater emphasis on the concept of continuous revolution. Mao believed that class struggle would continue even after the establishment of a socialist state, and that the masses must remain vigilant against the emergence of new bourgeois elements within society.

Internationalism

Leninism advocates for the idea of internationalism, believing that the working class must unite across national boundaries to overthrow capitalism on a global scale. Lenin argued that imperialism was the highest stage of capitalism, and that the imperialist powers would inevitably come into conflict with one another. As such, Leninism calls for solidarity among workers of all countries in the struggle against imperialism. Maoism also supports the idea of internationalism, but Mao believed that each country must adapt Marxist theory to its own specific conditions. Maoism emphasizes the importance of national liberation struggles and supports the idea of "socialism in one country," where each nation can develop socialism in its own unique way.

Cultural Revolution

One of the most distinctive aspects of Maoism is the concept of the Cultural Revolution. Mao believed that the socialist state could become bureaucratic and elitist, leading to the emergence of a new ruling class. In order to prevent this, Mao called for a mass movement to challenge and overthrow the existing power structures within the Communist Party and society as a whole. The Cultural Revolution aimed to empower the masses and promote revolutionary consciousness among the people. In contrast, Leninism does not have a specific equivalent to the Cultural Revolution, as Lenin focused more on the establishment of a centralized party apparatus to lead the revolution.

Legacy

Both Leninism and Maoism have had a significant impact on the course of history. Leninism played a crucial role in the Russian Revolution of 1917, leading to the establishment of the Soviet Union as the world's first socialist state. Lenin's ideas also influenced revolutionary movements around the world, inspiring communist parties and socialist revolutions in various countries. Maoism, on the other hand, was instrumental in the Chinese Revolution of 1949, which led to the founding of the People's Republic of China. Mao's theories on guerrilla warfare, people's war, and mass mobilization have influenced revolutionary movements in other countries, particularly in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.