J. Moufawad-Paul, author of several books, and Breht discuss different strains of Maoist thought, tackling topics like dogmatism, eclecticism, and the need for education on the Shining Path. They emphasize the importance of collective study, honest critique, and a critical analysis of Maoism as a science.
Maoist Third Worldism argues that the proletariat is only present in the global peripheries and that exploitation exists where value is produced, but it falls short of the primary principle of making revolution.
MLM represents the most principled and scientific form of Maoism, upholding the primary principle of making revolution and associated with actual Maoist people's wars and the synthesis of revolutionary organizations.
Principally Maoism, often associated with the Red Guards, focuses on militarization of the party and concentric construction, but can be subject to line struggles and some Brazilian Maoists within this trend have shown openness to engaging with other groups.
A call to proactively prevent dogmatism, eclecticism, and opportunism from emerging within Maoist thinking through collective study of foundational texts, critical engagement with diverse works, and a dialectical understanding of both right and left opportunism.
Deep dives
Post Maoism: A Dead End
Post Maoism, exemplified by the RCP USA and others, rejects the scientific approach of Maoism and seeks to move beyond it. It often leads to organizational collapse or isolation. Some adherents maintain an appreciation for Maoism while rejecting its scientific status. The Brazilian Maoists, however, present an exception within this trend.
Maoist Third Worldism: Dogmatism and Eclecticism
Maoist Third Worldism argues that the proletariat is only present in the global peripheries and that exploitation exists where value is produced. This tendency is characterized by dogmatic and eclecticism, relying on rigid definitions of the proletariat and value, while also proposing theories like global people's war. Insights regarding the labor aristocracy emerged from this trend, but it falls short of the primary principle of making revolution.
Marxism-Leninism-Maoism (MLM)
MLM, associated with actual Maoist people's wars and the synthesis of revolutionary organizations, represents the most principled and scientific form of Maoism. It upholds the primary principle of making revolution, setting it apart from other tendencies. The MLM framework has been extensively discussed in previous works by JMP, such as Continuity and Rupture.
Principally Maoism: A Dogmatic Trend
Principally Maoism, often associated with the Red Guards, emphasizes the theories of Gonzalo and focuses on militarization of the party, concentric construction, and the idea of great leadership. This trend tends to be dogmatic and rejects other interpretations of Maoism, often labeling them as rightist. However, it can be subject to line struggles, and some Brazilian Maoists within this trend have shown openness to engaging with other groups.
Vague and Developing Tendency
A vague and developing tendency refers to those who are unclear about the origins and parameters of Maoism. This tendency lacks coherence as it searches for theoretical grounding and can be subsumed within other Maoist subtendencies.
Theological Distortions and Antagonistic vs Non-Antagonistic Contradictions
Theological approaches to Marxism often fail to grasp the distinction between antagonistic and non-antagonistic contradictions. These approaches treat all contradictions as antagonistic, viewing any deviation from authoritative readings as heretical. This failure to make such distinctions leads to a dogmatic perspective, hindering a nuanced understanding of revolutionary theory.
Understanding Maoism as a Stage of Dialectical Development
Lenin's concept of dialectical transformation and the need to think of Maoism as a new stage of science that involves breaks in continuity. Maoism should not be seen as a repetition of pre-Maoist Marxism, but rather as a transformation that repeats stages on a higher basis. This understanding requires thinking about the qualitative changes and revolutionary struggles that lead to the emergence of Maoism as a distinct stage. We cannot see Maoism as a complete doctrine that generates eternal continuity, but rather as a science that requires leaps, catastrophes, and revolutions to move forward.
Critiquing Dogmatism, Eclecticism, and Opportunism in Maoist Reason
A call to proactively prevent dogmatism, eclecticism, and opportunism from emerging within Maoist thinking. Emphasizes the importance of study and mass work as the key practices for combating these tendencies. Collective study of foundational texts, critical engagement with diverse works, and a dialectical understanding of both right and left opportunism are highlighted as essential for maintaining principled and effective revolutionary praxis. Warns against organizations that discourage critical reading or promote new theoretical concepts without solid grounding in revolutionary practice. Also cautions against getting enamored with aesthetics or idealistic promises of new theories, and underscores the need to stay rooted in the realities of mass work.
J. Moufawad-Paul lives in Toronto and works as casualized contract faculty at York University where he received his PhD in philosophy. He is the author of Austerity Apparatus, Continuity and Rupture, and Demarcation and Demystification.
In this episode, Breht and JMP discuss intra-Maoist lines of thought, examine their differences, and argue for a specific strain of Maoist thought as most in line with a scientific approach to socialism; one that avoids the traps of dogmatism, eclecticism, and opportunism.
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