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Modern-day Maoists worry Chinese authorities
http://observers.france24.com/conten...unrest-taiyuan
Excerpts from the article:
For this new generation of Maoists, the Chinese Communist Party has betrayed their leader’s roots by succumbing to capitalism and world trade. As a result foreign companies have been allowed to run amok in China, exploiting the country’s low-paid workers and wreaking havoc on the environment. In today's China, where disparities between groups are rapidly growing, Maoists are attracting an ever-growing following among the poor and working classes, which have been hard hit by unemployment and inflation. Their growing popularity, however, has also drawn the wrath of local authorities.
... ...
Nevertheless, the results of 30 years of ‘reform’ and opening up the world markets [a shift begun in the 1980s by one of Mao’s successors, Deng Xiaoping], are mixed at best. Yes, living standards have improved for some, and people have more freedom. But the gap between the rich and the poor widens every day. I experienced China coming onto the world market in the 1980s, and entering the World Trade Organisation in 2000. My conclusion is that capitalism poses many problems, especially in terms of social equality.
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Today, people use Mao’s teachings and theories to express their discontent against the government. That’s what irritates authorities, and they remain very wary of our movement. [According to another of our Observers in China, the CCP uses Mao’s image to serve its own purposes, but when Maoists refer to him to express their discontent, they are immediately silenced]. Mao didn’t deliver the solutions to all of our socio-economic problems. These solutions must come from confrontation and debate different political forces. Only a multi-party system will allow our country to move forward.
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There are many small informal political groups these days, but they’re not allowed to be parties so to speak of. They communicate and spread their ideas on the Web, sometimes on the field. Some even form alliances. I know that Shanghai police closely monitor members of these groups on a daily basis.
I personally created a virtual political group : ‘The party of the Chinese Revolution’. I’ve been contacted several times by police, but so far it hasn’t gone any further. I signed Liu Xiabao’s Charter 08 for democratic reform because I agree with most of his principles. Of course, some Maoists are opposed to a multi-party system. But I think the core principles of our ideology are based on human rights, freedom and expression and democracy. We will head in that direction".
[FONT=System]Long Live Proletarian Democracy!
Down with All Imperialisms!
[/FONT]
One of the RevLeft members, sunfarstar, was interviewed in this article.
[FONT=System]Long Live Proletarian Democracy!
Down with All Imperialisms!
[/FONT]
This maoist sounds very liberal... Thinking that a multi party system will help the chinese working class! Sounds to me alot like the egyptian protesters. Hardly revolutionary.
For student organizing in california, join this group!
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"[I]t’s hard to keep potent historical truths bottled up forever. New data repositories are uncovered. New, less ideological, generations of historians grow up. In the late 1980s and before, Ann Druyan and I would routinely smuggle copies of Trotsky’s History of the Russian Revolution into the USSR—so our colleagues could know a little about their own political beginnings.”
--Carl Sagan
"This Maoist" is our own sunfarstar! But I think he meant a socialist multi-party system.
Still, you can't deny it's still a step-forward from the explicit authoritarianism of traditional Maoism.
[FONT=System]Long Live Proletarian Democracy!
Down with All Imperialisms!
[/FONT]
Even if a socialist multi-party system wasn't what was meant, a capitalist multi-party system with some freedom is far superior to a capitalist one-party system without any at all.
I suppose so, however maoists need to throw away the bloc of four classes entirely. All their tendencies where maoist groups ally with bourgeois "revolutionaries" weakens the workers movement.
For student organizing in california, join this group!
http://www.revleft.com/vb/group.php?groupid=1036
http://socialistorganizer.org/
"[I]t’s hard to keep potent historical truths bottled up forever. New data repositories are uncovered. New, less ideological, generations of historians grow up. In the late 1980s and before, Ann Druyan and I would routinely smuggle copies of Trotsky’s History of the Russian Revolution into the USSR—so our colleagues could know a little about their own political beginnings.”
--Carl Sagan
I cannot see how any communist can be justified in signing the fucking Charter 08.
( I mean, seriously:
)
I'd like to know what this means. Is it a reference to thinking back to the 70's or a genuine reference to the conservative ideological climate that prevails in China?
Uhhhhh LOOK AT NUMBER 14!
For student organizing in california, join this group!
http://www.revleft.com/vb/group.php?groupid=1036
http://socialistorganizer.org/
"[I]t’s hard to keep potent historical truths bottled up forever. New data repositories are uncovered. New, less ideological, generations of historians grow up. In the late 1980s and before, Ann Druyan and I would routinely smuggle copies of Trotsky’s History of the Russian Revolution into the USSR—so our colleagues could know a little about their own political beginnings.”
--Carl Sagan
Re "social conservative"
It doesn't mean he is a "conservative" in the Western right-wing sense. It just means he probably doesn't support things like "free love", sex work, legalisation of drugs etc. Every Maoist strongly believes in gender equality and anti-racism.
[FONT=System]Long Live Proletarian Democracy!
Down with All Imperialisms!
[/FONT]
On Charter 08:
Disagree. I would rather keep the PRC's generally socialist constitution with only minor amendments, like guaranteeing LGBT rights.
These are all positive things which every genuine democratic socialist should support.
Completely opposed to this.
Again, generally positive things.
Maybe. The USSR under Lenin was a federated republic. This could give non-Han ethnic minorities in China more rights.
Not sure what this means...
But of course socialists would go much further on many issues. However, to completely reject the Charter as completely reactionary is wrong. Some articles are no doubt completely reactionary, but many are not.
[FONT=System]Long Live Proletarian Democracy!
Down with All Imperialisms!
[/FONT]
At the end of Sunfarstar's bit he says that he signed the charter because he agrees with 'some of the principles' not the entire thing. That's how I read it at least. He points out that while some Maoists oppose multi-party democracy, that "the core principles of our ideology are based on human rights, freedom and expression and democracy. We will head in that direction".
Thanks for sharing this btw, it's not everyday we see something from Sunfarstar that isn't incoherent. I was actually thinking for awhile he didn't even exist (), but now I know for sure he's around.
Does anyone else find it extremely ironic that the government set up by a Maoist revolution is now inspiring another potential Maoist revolution
Trotskyism is the same. Trying to initiate another Leninist revolution in a state that was created by a Leninist revolution in 1917 - the USSR.Does anyone else find it extremely ironic that the government set up by a Maoist revolution is now inspiring another potential Maoist revolution
[FONT=System]Long Live Proletarian Democracy!
Down with All Imperialisms!
[/FONT]
With some serious reservations...my opinion is that the idea that young generations correct the mistakes and the moving away from the core ideology of the older generations is often necessary.
Maoism stopped being a serious tendency (for me and IMO) after the theory of the three worlds took over the CPC. And especially when the CPC made a reformist and reactionary move to allow capitalism.
To correct these mistakes are a duty IMO of every serious revolutionary...as well as it is the duty to keep evolving the way society is being regulated.
The workers of the USSR standing up to Stalin's beuracracy doesn't mean revolution. I don't know where you read that Trotsky wanted another leninist revolution in the USSR. However a democratic movement to get rid of leaders who no longer represent proletarian intrests should be supported by any marxist.Trotskyism is the same. Trying to initiate another Leninist revolution in a state that was created by a Leninist revolution in 1917 - the USSR.
For student organizing in california, join this group!
http://www.revleft.com/vb/group.php?groupid=1036
http://socialistorganizer.org/
"[I]t’s hard to keep potent historical truths bottled up forever. New data repositories are uncovered. New, less ideological, generations of historians grow up. In the late 1980s and before, Ann Druyan and I would routinely smuggle copies of Trotsky’s History of the Russian Revolution into the USSR—so our colleagues could know a little about their own political beginnings.”
--Carl Sagan
Are they "Maoists" ideologically? Or are they more like patriots who want to go back to some aspects of Mao, like the crime-fighting party boss of Chongqing (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bo_Xilai)?
What's the matter Lagerboy, afraid you might taste something?
Is a Maoist saying that with a straight face?
Ah, the irony!
Actually Trotsky called for a political revolution in the USSR while calling for a social revolution in the capitalist world. So yes technically workers overthrowing the bureaucracy is a revolution. But China is far beyond that stage now.
[FONT=System]Long Live Proletarian Democracy!
Down with All Imperialisms!
[/FONT]
that is actually an interesting observation.
So far it seems to me that the article describes a whole set of initiatives. Some may fall under the banner of what could perhaps be described as aspectism...if that is even a word...but some may be genuinely communist and anti-reformist.
The overall analysis that SFS puts foreward is one that I agree with. What his solutions are I can not say. would be interesting to read that Utopia forum.
Whatever the case, I'm happy to see Maoist activity in China against the CCP. While, from what I understand, there is a group in the CCP trying to move it back towards Maoism, seeing people outside the party and in support of a multi-party system is good. Better a multi-party system than a CCP dictatorship. My main concern is the desire some have for a free-market. I can't see a free-market china being a good place for anyone but the rich to live. Not to say it is good now.
