Maoism

8 Conservative Glossary Items #3

We will continue to delve into the topic of communism. Maoism is, at its simplest, the form of communism developed in China by Mao Zedong based on his studies of Marx and Lenin. He adapted communism to fit the needs of the Chinese people, most importantly in his focus on the agrarian rather than the industrial. Unlike other forms of communism, Mao believed that class struggle would continue after the initial revolution. This would essentially provide each generation a chance for revolution. Additionally, Mao favored local control as opposed to the Soviet model of centralization.

Perhaps Mao's largest contribution to the world has been the development of guerrilla warfare to carry out the "People's War". Maoists parties across the world have taken up guerrilla war, most notable for most Americans in Vietnam. Mao wrote a primer called On Guerrilla Warfare that many consider a primer for understanding the tactic, no matter which side of the warfare you are on.

So, conservative radio nutcase Michael Savage has claimed that the left, including our President, wants a Maoist revolution, complete with death camps. Is this the case? Can anyone make this claim with a straight face?

Previous Entries in this Series (An Introduction, Communism, Bolsheviks)