TheGodlessUtopian
2nd August 2012, 06:35
Before I begin with the study guide I wish to quote a selection from comrade Mike Ely in which he helps clarify what is meant by “liberal.”
The use of “liberalism” in Maoist terminology
Mao’s [language] comes from his famous 1937 essay “Combat liberalism” — which is an essay about avoiding and papering over conflicts and disagreements among communists (and among the people). It is an essay about truth-telling, candor and honesty when dealing with problems. The “liberalism” Mao criticizes is a practice of favoritism toward old associates, avoiding conflict, etc.
It is a distinctive use of the word “liberal” and (in this Maoist context) means a kind of “hands off” policy toward mistakes going on around us. And it has been a widely used guideline for principled interactions over politics and ideas among communists.Please keep this in mind while reading the study guide, thank you.
~ ~ ~
Q1: Why do Maoists stand for active ideological struggle?
A1: Communists stand for active ideological struggle because it is a tool for ensuring unity within both the Party and the revolutionary organizations of the masses. To battle the incorrect ideas of the counterrevolutionaries in a direct manner, to eliminate all threats to the revolution is to mean upholding the ideology of communism.
Q2: What does Liberalism stand for?
A2: Liberalism stands for unprincipled peace. This means a peace which rests on revolutionary ideas being push to the wayside and reactionary ideas sharing the light along with no hostility from revolutionary ones.
Q3: Why is avoiding conflict with another person based on their history towards you a sign of liberalism?
A3: When an individual within a revolutionary organization “does wrong” and one does not engage the other person in “principled debate” for sake of knowing them is liberalism because only through in maintaining Party purity will genuine revolutionary transformation of society be possible. If Liberal ideas are allowed to seep in than revolutionary thought will be muddled and revised thus societal transformation will be prevented.
Q4: Why is “showing no regard for the principals of collective life” a sign of liberalism?
A4: Gossiping behind peoples’ backs, avoiding discussion while at meetings, and privately criticizing instead of openly suggestions ideas in the open are signs of liberalism because one refuses to acknowledge the unique demands of communal life. These actions are what bourgeois organizations thrive on and as such have no place within communist organizations. Embracing these ideas means rejecting the advancement of society through collectivization.
Q5: Why is remaining silent when you know the problem a sign of liberalism?
A5: Refusing to contribute towards the collective organization when you have knowledge to give and to be “worldly wise” yet seek to “play it safe” is a show of liberalism because a revolutionary organization can only advance forward with all the members being active participants. If one understands a situation yet does not contribute they are sabotaging the revolution by hampering progress.
Q6: Why is “demanding special consideration from the organization yet rejecting their discipline” a show of liberalism?
A6: Refusing to obey orders and to demand special attention is a show of liberalism because it promotes ultra-individualism. It weakens the revolutionary collective and fosters a “great man theory” attitude; it is, above all, a vain play on the member’s part to demand consideration for their efforts when others in the organization have performed the same tasks while expecting nothing in return. In this situation one can see other Party members adhering to discipline in the form of not demanding recognition of their achievements. One can see the lack of discipline, and the embrace of liberalism, by the want for acknowledgement.
Q7: Why is “indulging in personal attacks… instead of entering into an argument against incorrect ideas” a show of liberalism?
A7: Resorting to personal venting in-place of entering into a structured principled argument is liberalism because only through the battling of incorrect ideas can progress be made. If one does not confront incorrect ideas for the sake of remaining on schedule on a delegated task than ultimately the whole suffers as the whole is than inflicted with non-revolutionary ideas.
Q8: Why is “hearing counterrevolutionary ideas without reporting them” a show of liberalism?
A8: Counterrevolutionary ideas weaken the whole organization as they are, by their very nature, harmful to the revolutionary ideas of the Party. Not reporting such thoughts when they are discovered means allowing destructive ideas to corrupt other members. This, in turn, slows progress on the construction of a revolutionary society and Party.
Q9: Why is “being among the masses… and forgetting that one is a communist” a show of liberalism?
A9: If a Party member is among the masses and refuses to conduct Party activities (propaganda, agitation, speaking, etc) he is displaying signs of liberalism because he is not radicalizing the masses. If masses are not radicalized then the revolutionary transformation of society into a communist one will never be possible. Failing to conduct this work thus hampers this transformation and prevents progress.
Q10: Why is refusing to stop someone when they are harming the interests of the masses a show of liberalism?
A10: Not reasoning with or not preventing individuals who have interests antithetical to those of the masses is liberalism because as a revolutionary communist one is supposed to always have the interests of the masses at heart. By allowing people who attack the masses free reign to agitate, one is effectively hampering the transformation of society into a progressive state. Such is contrary to communist thought.
Q11: Why is “To work half-heartedly without a definite plan or direction” a show of liberalism?
A11: To work without an understanding of the destination or result is a show of liberalism because it wastes resources of the collective. In order to promote the growth of a revolutionary society all of its resources must be used responsibly. Expending resources on a project whose aim is not definite only serves to hamper the transformation of society. It weakens the Party by wasting precious materials on useless projects.
Q12: Why is “to be slipshod in work and slack in study” a show of liberalism?
A12: To believe that one’s own contributions of thus negated the need to further improve one’s self by diligently studying relevant texts is a show of liberalism because it prevents the revolutionary whole (the Party) at developing into a well-honed machine. Any competent organization is only as strong as their members of willing to disregard their self and throw themselves completely into the struggle. This means educating one’s self on revolutionary theory. Believing that one’s past actions as a veteran have great bearings on the current struggle weakens the whole through idealist day dreaming.
Q13: Why are being aware of your own mistakes yet not taking any actions to correct them a show of liberalism?
A13: Participation within a revolutionary collective means always improving one’s self in hopes of also improving the party by extension. If one knows and understands the faults present within and yet takes no corrective course, they are showing signs of liberalism in their continuation of the degradation of the Party. With each mistake made the whole suffers. Within this understanding lies the reasoning that continuation of this course will only lead to more structural imbalance of the party.
Q14: Where does liberalism stem from?
A14: As Mao said, “Liberalism stems from petty-bourgeois selfishness” thus it stems from the ideas of counterrevolutionaries, from capitalists. The end result of this is that organizational, political, and ideological purity of the Party is lost.
Q15: How do people who identify as liberal see Marxism?
A15: People who see Marxism through a liberal mindset view Marxism as abstract dogma. They generally approve of Marxism yet are not ready to apply it towards their own lives. Instead they keep ample supplies of both liberalism and Marxism; for this they each have a use- Marxism they apply towards the masses while liberalism they apply towards themselves.
Q16: Why do counterrevolutionaries welcome liberalism within the communists’ ranks?
A16: The enemies of the revolution approve of liberalism within communist organizations because it is the manifestation of opportunism. Liberalism weakens the revolutionary Party and makes the whole more vulnerable towards reactionary attacks.
Q17: How should a communist act in relation towards liberalism?
A17: A communist should work to overcome liberalism and by using Marxism. Being active and placing the revolution above one’s self and waging a tireless struggle against incorrect ideas, is the only manner for a Party member to behave.
The use of “liberalism” in Maoist terminology
Mao’s [language] comes from his famous 1937 essay “Combat liberalism” — which is an essay about avoiding and papering over conflicts and disagreements among communists (and among the people). It is an essay about truth-telling, candor and honesty when dealing with problems. The “liberalism” Mao criticizes is a practice of favoritism toward old associates, avoiding conflict, etc.
It is a distinctive use of the word “liberal” and (in this Maoist context) means a kind of “hands off” policy toward mistakes going on around us. And it has been a widely used guideline for principled interactions over politics and ideas among communists.Please keep this in mind while reading the study guide, thank you.
~ ~ ~
Q1: Why do Maoists stand for active ideological struggle?
A1: Communists stand for active ideological struggle because it is a tool for ensuring unity within both the Party and the revolutionary organizations of the masses. To battle the incorrect ideas of the counterrevolutionaries in a direct manner, to eliminate all threats to the revolution is to mean upholding the ideology of communism.
Q2: What does Liberalism stand for?
A2: Liberalism stands for unprincipled peace. This means a peace which rests on revolutionary ideas being push to the wayside and reactionary ideas sharing the light along with no hostility from revolutionary ones.
Q3: Why is avoiding conflict with another person based on their history towards you a sign of liberalism?
A3: When an individual within a revolutionary organization “does wrong” and one does not engage the other person in “principled debate” for sake of knowing them is liberalism because only through in maintaining Party purity will genuine revolutionary transformation of society be possible. If Liberal ideas are allowed to seep in than revolutionary thought will be muddled and revised thus societal transformation will be prevented.
Q4: Why is “showing no regard for the principals of collective life” a sign of liberalism?
A4: Gossiping behind peoples’ backs, avoiding discussion while at meetings, and privately criticizing instead of openly suggestions ideas in the open are signs of liberalism because one refuses to acknowledge the unique demands of communal life. These actions are what bourgeois organizations thrive on and as such have no place within communist organizations. Embracing these ideas means rejecting the advancement of society through collectivization.
Q5: Why is remaining silent when you know the problem a sign of liberalism?
A5: Refusing to contribute towards the collective organization when you have knowledge to give and to be “worldly wise” yet seek to “play it safe” is a show of liberalism because a revolutionary organization can only advance forward with all the members being active participants. If one understands a situation yet does not contribute they are sabotaging the revolution by hampering progress.
Q6: Why is “demanding special consideration from the organization yet rejecting their discipline” a show of liberalism?
A6: Refusing to obey orders and to demand special attention is a show of liberalism because it promotes ultra-individualism. It weakens the revolutionary collective and fosters a “great man theory” attitude; it is, above all, a vain play on the member’s part to demand consideration for their efforts when others in the organization have performed the same tasks while expecting nothing in return. In this situation one can see other Party members adhering to discipline in the form of not demanding recognition of their achievements. One can see the lack of discipline, and the embrace of liberalism, by the want for acknowledgement.
Q7: Why is “indulging in personal attacks… instead of entering into an argument against incorrect ideas” a show of liberalism?
A7: Resorting to personal venting in-place of entering into a structured principled argument is liberalism because only through the battling of incorrect ideas can progress be made. If one does not confront incorrect ideas for the sake of remaining on schedule on a delegated task than ultimately the whole suffers as the whole is than inflicted with non-revolutionary ideas.
Q8: Why is “hearing counterrevolutionary ideas without reporting them” a show of liberalism?
A8: Counterrevolutionary ideas weaken the whole organization as they are, by their very nature, harmful to the revolutionary ideas of the Party. Not reporting such thoughts when they are discovered means allowing destructive ideas to corrupt other members. This, in turn, slows progress on the construction of a revolutionary society and Party.
Q9: Why is “being among the masses… and forgetting that one is a communist” a show of liberalism?
A9: If a Party member is among the masses and refuses to conduct Party activities (propaganda, agitation, speaking, etc) he is displaying signs of liberalism because he is not radicalizing the masses. If masses are not radicalized then the revolutionary transformation of society into a communist one will never be possible. Failing to conduct this work thus hampers this transformation and prevents progress.
Q10: Why is refusing to stop someone when they are harming the interests of the masses a show of liberalism?
A10: Not reasoning with or not preventing individuals who have interests antithetical to those of the masses is liberalism because as a revolutionary communist one is supposed to always have the interests of the masses at heart. By allowing people who attack the masses free reign to agitate, one is effectively hampering the transformation of society into a progressive state. Such is contrary to communist thought.
Q11: Why is “To work half-heartedly without a definite plan or direction” a show of liberalism?
A11: To work without an understanding of the destination or result is a show of liberalism because it wastes resources of the collective. In order to promote the growth of a revolutionary society all of its resources must be used responsibly. Expending resources on a project whose aim is not definite only serves to hamper the transformation of society. It weakens the Party by wasting precious materials on useless projects.
Q12: Why is “to be slipshod in work and slack in study” a show of liberalism?
A12: To believe that one’s own contributions of thus negated the need to further improve one’s self by diligently studying relevant texts is a show of liberalism because it prevents the revolutionary whole (the Party) at developing into a well-honed machine. Any competent organization is only as strong as their members of willing to disregard their self and throw themselves completely into the struggle. This means educating one’s self on revolutionary theory. Believing that one’s past actions as a veteran have great bearings on the current struggle weakens the whole through idealist day dreaming.
Q13: Why are being aware of your own mistakes yet not taking any actions to correct them a show of liberalism?
A13: Participation within a revolutionary collective means always improving one’s self in hopes of also improving the party by extension. If one knows and understands the faults present within and yet takes no corrective course, they are showing signs of liberalism in their continuation of the degradation of the Party. With each mistake made the whole suffers. Within this understanding lies the reasoning that continuation of this course will only lead to more structural imbalance of the party.
Q14: Where does liberalism stem from?
A14: As Mao said, “Liberalism stems from petty-bourgeois selfishness” thus it stems from the ideas of counterrevolutionaries, from capitalists. The end result of this is that organizational, political, and ideological purity of the Party is lost.
Q15: How do people who identify as liberal see Marxism?
A15: People who see Marxism through a liberal mindset view Marxism as abstract dogma. They generally approve of Marxism yet are not ready to apply it towards their own lives. Instead they keep ample supplies of both liberalism and Marxism; for this they each have a use- Marxism they apply towards the masses while liberalism they apply towards themselves.
Q16: Why do counterrevolutionaries welcome liberalism within the communists’ ranks?
A16: The enemies of the revolution approve of liberalism within communist organizations because it is the manifestation of opportunism. Liberalism weakens the revolutionary Party and makes the whole more vulnerable towards reactionary attacks.
Q17: How should a communist act in relation towards liberalism?
A17: A communist should work to overcome liberalism and by using Marxism. Being active and placing the revolution above one’s self and waging a tireless struggle against incorrect ideas, is the only manner for a Party member to behave.