Marxism-Leninism-Maoism vs. Western Marxism

Attribute	Marxism-Leninism-Maoism	Western Marxism
Founders	Karl Marx, Vladimir Lenin, Mao Zedong	Georg Lukács, Antonio Gramsci, Walter Benjamin
Revolutionary Strategy	Protracted People's War	Cultural Revolution
Role of the State	Dictatorship of the Proletariat	State as a repressive apparatus
Emphasis on Class Struggle	Central	Less central
Historical Materialism	Key component	Emphasized

Origins and Development

Marxism-Leninism-Maoism (MLM) is a political ideology that emerged as a result of the contributions of Karl Marx, Vladimir Lenin, and Mao Zedong. It combines the theories of these three figures to create a comprehensive revolutionary doctrine. MLM emphasizes the importance of armed struggle, the leadership of a vanguard party, and the mobilization of the masses to achieve socialist revolution. On the other hand, Western Marxism refers to a diverse set of Marxist theories that developed in Western Europe and the United States. Western Marxists, such as Antonio Gramsci and Theodor Adorno, focused on cultural and ideological aspects of capitalism, rather than just economic factors.

Class Analysis

MLM places a strong emphasis on class struggle as the driving force of history. It views society as being divided into two main classes: the bourgeoisie, who own the means of production, and the proletariat, who must sell their labor power to survive. MLM argues that the interests of these two classes are fundamentally opposed, leading to conflict and revolution. Western Marxism, on the other hand, tends to have a more nuanced understanding of class. Western Marxists often explore the role of intellectuals, artists, and other non-proletarian groups in perpetuating or challenging capitalist hegemony.

Revolutionary Strategy

One of the key differences between MLM and Western Marxism is their approach to revolutionary strategy. MLM advocates for the establishment of a vanguard party to lead the proletariat in overthrowing the capitalist state and building socialism. This party is seen as the most advanced and organized section of the working class, capable of providing leadership and direction in the struggle for liberation. Western Marxists, on the other hand, tend to be more skeptical of vanguard parties and centralized leadership. They often emphasize the importance of grassroots movements, spontaneous uprisings, and decentralized forms of organization.

Internationalism

MLM places a strong emphasis on internationalism and solidarity among oppressed peoples around the world. It argues that imperialism is a global system that exploits and oppresses the majority of the world's population. MLM calls for the unity of all anti-imperialist forces in a common struggle against capitalism and imperialism. Western Marxism, on the other hand, has been criticized for its Eurocentrism and lack of attention to the struggles of the Global South. Some Western Marxists have sought to address this criticism by engaging with postcolonial theory and decolonial movements.

Role of the State

MLM sees the state as a tool of class rule, which must be smashed and replaced with a new, proletarian state. This new state is seen as a dictatorship of the proletariat, which will wither away over time as class distinctions are abolished and a classless society emerges. Western Marxism, on the other hand, tends to have a more ambivalent relationship with the state. Some Western Marxists, such as Gramsci, have explored the concept of the "integral state" as a site of struggle for hegemony and counter-hegemony.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Marxism-Leninism-Maoism and Western Marxism are two distinct branches of Marxist theory that have evolved in different historical contexts and with different emphases. While MLM emphasizes armed struggle, vanguard parties, and internationalism, Western Marxism tends to focus on cultural and ideological aspects of capitalism, decentralized forms of organization, and the role of intellectuals in challenging hegemony. Both traditions have made significant contributions to Marxist theory and continue to influence radical movements around the world.