Maoism vs. Trotskyism

Attribute	Maoism	Trotskyism
Founder	Mao Zedong	Leon Trotsky
Key Ideas	Mass line, Cultural Revolution, People's War	Permanent Revolution, Transitional Program, United Front
Role of the Party	Leading role in guiding the masses	Revolutionary vanguard to lead the working class
Internationalism	Support for anti-imperialist struggles worldwide	Advocacy for global socialist revolution
Attitude towards Stalinism	Critical of some aspects, but generally supportive	Opposed to Stalinism and bureaucratic centralism

Origins

Maoism and Trotskyism are two distinct branches of Marxist ideology that emerged in the early 20th century. Maoism, named after Chinese Communist leader Mao Zedong, developed in China during the Chinese Civil War and the subsequent establishment of the People's Republic of China in 1949. Trotskyism, on the other hand, is named after Russian revolutionary Leon Trotsky, who was a key figure in the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917 and later became a vocal critic of Joseph Stalin's leadership in the Soviet Union.

Key Principles

One of the key principles of Maoism is the belief in the importance of continuous revolution to prevent the emergence of a new ruling class within the Communist Party. Mao Zedong emphasized the need for mass mobilization and class struggle to achieve true socialism. In contrast, Trotskyism focuses on the concept of permanent revolution, which argues that socialist revolutions should spread internationally to achieve global socialism. Trotskyists also advocate for democratic centralism within the party structure.

Role of the Party

In Maoism, the Communist Party is seen as the vanguard of the proletariat and plays a central role in leading the revolution and building socialism. Mao believed in the importance of maintaining close ties with the peasantry and mobilizing them for revolutionary purposes. The party's leadership is based on the principle of "mass line," which emphasizes the need for leaders to be in touch with the needs and aspirations of the masses. In Trotskyism, the party is also seen as the vanguard of the working class, but there is a greater emphasis on internal democracy and debate within the party. Trotskyists advocate for a more decentralized party structure to prevent the emergence of a bureaucratic elite.

Approach to Revolution

Both Maoism and Trotskyism advocate for the overthrow of capitalism and the establishment of a socialist society. However, they differ in their approaches to achieving this goal. Maoism emphasizes the importance of rural revolution and guerrilla warfare, as demonstrated in the Chinese Civil War and the Cultural Revolution. Mao believed in the power of the peasantry as a revolutionary force. Trotskyism, on the other hand, focuses on the role of the urban working class in leading the revolution. Trotskyists argue for the creation of workers' councils, or soviets, to organize the working class and challenge capitalist power.

Internationalism

Both Maoism and Trotskyism are internationalist ideologies that seek to spread socialism beyond national borders. Mao Zedong famously supported revolutionary movements in other countries, such as the Viet Cong in Vietnam and the Shining Path in Peru. Maoism also influenced revolutionary movements in countries like Nepal and the Philippines. Trotskyism, with its emphasis on permanent revolution, advocates for the global spread of socialism through international solidarity and coordinated revolutionary action. Trotskyists have been involved in various international socialist organizations, such as the Fourth International.

Legacy

Despite their differences, both Maoism and Trotskyism have had a lasting impact on socialist movements around the world. Mao Zedong's thought continues to influence communist parties in countries like China and Nepal, as well as anti-imperialist movements in Latin America and Africa. Trotskyism, although a smaller and more fragmented movement, has also left its mark on socialist theory and practice. Trotskyist organizations can be found in many countries, advocating for workers' rights and social justice.