Marxism-Leninism-Maoism vs. Sorelianism

Attribute	Marxism-Leninism-Maoism	Sorelianism
Founder	Karl Marx, Vladimir Lenin, Mao Zedong	Georges Sorel
Key Ideas	Class struggle, dictatorship of the proletariat, cultural revolution	Myth of the general strike, revolutionary syndicalism
Role of the State	Centralized state control, one-party system	Minimization of state intervention, emphasis on direct action
Economic System	Socialism leading to communism, planned economy	Emphasis on workers' control of production, anti-capitalist
Internationalism	Support for global socialist revolution	Focus on national syndicalism, anti-imperialism

Overview

Marxism-Leninism-Maoism and Sorelianism are two distinct ideologies that have influenced political movements throughout history. While both ideologies have roots in Marxist thought, they diverge in their interpretations of how to achieve a socialist society. Marxism-Leninism-Maoism is a revolutionary ideology that emphasizes the need for a vanguard party to lead the proletariat in overthrowing the capitalist system. Sorelianism, on the other hand, is a syndicalist ideology that focuses on the power of the working class to bring about social change through direct action and the general strike.

Historical Context

Marxism-Leninism-Maoism emerged as a response to the failures of previous socialist movements, particularly in the Soviet Union and China. Leninism, developed by Vladimir Lenin, emphasized the need for a disciplined party to lead the working class in revolution. Maoism, developed by Mao Zedong, built upon Leninism by emphasizing the importance of peasant support in the revolutionary struggle. Sorelianism, on the other hand, was developed by French syndicalist Georges Sorel in the early 20th century. Sorel believed that the working class could achieve liberation through direct action and the general strike, rather than through political parties or parliamentary means.

Role of the Vanguard

In Marxism-Leninism-Maoism, the vanguard party plays a crucial role in leading the proletariat in revolution and establishing a socialist society. The vanguard party is composed of the most advanced and class-conscious members of the working class, who are tasked with organizing and guiding the revolutionary struggle. The vanguard party is seen as the embodiment of the proletariat's interests and is responsible for carrying out the will of the masses. In contrast, Sorelianism rejects the idea of a vanguard party, instead placing emphasis on the spontaneous actions of the working class. Sorelians believe that the working class has the power to bring about social change through direct action, such as strikes and protests, without the need for a centralized party structure.

Strategy for Revolution

Marxism-Leninism-Maoism advocates for a strategy of protracted people's war as a means of overthrowing the capitalist system and establishing socialism. This strategy involves mobilizing the masses in a prolonged armed struggle against the ruling class, with the vanguard party leading the way. The goal is to encircle the cities from the countryside, building up popular support and undermining the power of the state. Sorelianism, on the other hand, focuses on the power of the general strike as a means of achieving social change. Sorelians believe that by organizing mass strikes and disrupting the capitalist economy, the working class can exert enough pressure to force concessions from the ruling class.

Views on the State

In Marxism-Leninism-Maoism, the state is seen as a tool of class oppression that must be smashed and replaced with a dictatorship of the proletariat. The dictatorship of the proletariat is a transitional state that serves to suppress the bourgeoisie and pave the way for the establishment of socialism. The vanguard party plays a key role in leading the dictatorship of the proletariat and guiding the socialist transformation of society. Sorelianism, on the other hand, rejects the idea of the state altogether. Sorelians believe that the state is inherently oppressive and that true liberation can only be achieved through the direct action of the working class, without the need for a centralized state apparatus.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Marxism-Leninism-Maoism and Sorelianism are two distinct ideologies that offer different approaches to achieving socialism. While Marxism-Leninism-Maoism emphasizes the need for a vanguard party to lead the proletariat in revolution and establish a dictatorship of the proletariat, Sorelianism focuses on the power of the working class to bring about social change through direct action and the general strike. Both ideologies have had a significant impact on political movements throughout history, shaping the strategies and tactics of socialist and syndicalist movements around the world.