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Maoist Theory and Agrarian Socialism Essay

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The components of Maoist theory up until 1949 developed from Mao Zedong’s sinification of Marxism and procured both positive and negative impacts on the localised Chinese populations living under Communist rule and the relationship with the Comintern. A fundamental principle of Maoism is peasant revolt and following the mass line which emphasises and embodies the perspective of the peasantry. The development of guerrilla tactics and precise military organisation were significantly important for implementing Mao’s policies. Mao instituted three specific reforms, namely political, and social and economic, in the development of Maoism. Under these principles citizens were included in the state’s affairs, given respect and protection and …show more content…

The targets were the “local bullies and bad gentry and the lawless landlords” and additionally, those who resist it will “perish” . Mao also noted the nature of such a revolution cannot be “so refined, so clam and gentle, or so mild, kind, courteous” as inviting people to dinner for example, indicating his violent manner. A positive impact upon the women rose however, with the “opportunity…for them to lift up their heads” allowing them to increasingly falter the “authority of the husband” each day. The ‘mass line’ is exemplified best during the Yanan period, where the phrase "from the masses, to the masses" was coined. With proper mobilisation and training, the peasants could be transformed into an extremely capable force. These developments in Maoism provided the peasants with purpose and prepositioned a very positive relationship with their Communist leaders, however led to a split with their Moscow counterparts.

Essential to Maoism and in opposition to the Comintern, is guerrilla warfare tactics of which included a structured army organisation. This developed due to consecutive unsuccessful conflicts. Mao Zedong characterised his guerrilla warfare tactics as "when the enemy advances we retreat to avoid him, when the enemy stops we harass him, when the enemy is tired we attack him, and when the enemy

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