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2024 | Buch

Mao Zedong’s Philosophy and Thought: Pitfalls of His “Contradiction” and “Practice” Theories Kapitel lesen Erstes Kapitel lesen

Mao Zedong and Contemporary China

Exploring the World Where Truth Falls from the Heavens

verfasst von: Katsuji Nakagane

Verlag: Springer Nature Singapore

Enthalten in: Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik" , Springer Professional "Technik" , Springer Professional "Wirtschaft"

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What did Mao Zedong bring to China? Mao Zedong, a rare leader who is still regarded as a great hero on the Chinese continent, despite the large number of victims caused by the Great Leap Forward and the Cultural Revolution. He called himself "Qin Shi Huang （First Emperor of Qin）plus Marx". It can be said that he is an entity that combines the power of the emperor and the authority of Marx into one person. This book analyzes the features of Mao Zedong’s thought and philosophy, his understanding of Marxism and class struggle, in particular, his peculiar attitude toward intellectuals, his actions leading to the Great Leap Forward and the Cultural Revolution, which he initiated and involved the entire nation, as well as the analysis of the mechanisms that caused such catastrophes and tragedies. Finally, through these analyses, this book attempts to evaluate Mao Zedong with diverse personalities and his behavior, positive and negative, whether in political, social, economic, or philosophical areas.

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Frontmatter
Chapter 1. Mao Zedong’s Philosophy and Thought: Pitfalls of His “Contradiction” and “Practice” Theories
Abstract
To understand Mao Zedong’s ideology (Maoism) and actions, it is essential to delve into his philosophy. His two major philosophical essays, namely, “On Contradiction” and “On Practice,” are implicitly and explicitly reflected in the policies he formulated. In China, these essays are highly regarded for having creatively developed Marxism. However, in spite of this praise there are significant pitfalls in his philosophies, perhaps even concealed tricks, that have not received much attention until now. By dissecting the structure of Mao’s philosophy, we can elucidate the characteristics of his ideology and actions.
Katsuji Nakagane
Chapter 2. Mao Zedong and Lu Xun: What If Lu Xun Had Survived the Revolution?
Abstract
What would have happened if Lu Xun had lived after the founding of the country? Asked this question, Mao Zedong replied, “He would either be silenced or in jail.” Although Mao Zedong, a political giant, and Lu Xun, a literary giant, never met in practice, this hypothetical question is an excellent measure of Mao’s attitude toward cultural and intellectual figures. This chapter looks at Mao’s harsh criticism of Liang Shuming and Hu Feng, and reveals that Mao’s politics-first view of literature and art is fundamentally incompatible with that of Lu Xun, and that it was inevitable that the two would have eventually clashed.
Katsuji Nakagane
Chapter 3. Class Struggle Theory and the Mass Line: “Marxism” According to Mao Zedong
Abstract
Mao Zedong often used the terms “class” and “masses” or “people,” which were some of his most important concepts in the revolutionary struggle. However, his use of these terms differed considerably from the way they were ordinarily used. It is said that the most useful concept he learned from Marx was class struggle, yet his class concept is not the same as Marx’s and, moreover, it changed over time. In this chapter, I use these terms as clues to analyze what Marxism meant to Mao Zedong. I will also consider why violence was frequently used in Mao’s policies, for example, in his land reform policy, and will discuss the general relationship between revolution and violence.
Katsuji Nakagane
Chapter 4. The Development of the Anti-Rightist Struggle and Its Aftermath: Turning Point of the Chinese Politics during the Mao Era
Abstract
The criticism of Stalin at the 20th Congress of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union in February 1956 brought about an anti-government and anti-communist wave among the people of Poland and Hungary. Mao Zedong believed that this was the result of bureaucratism in the ruling parties and government. To counteract it he promoted a movement, namely, the Hundred Flowers Campaign, to liberalize the thought of people, particularly the intellectuals, encouraging them to speak relatively freely. However, Mao became concerned that the movement was moving in an unexpectedly anti-socialist direction, and in June 1957 he suddenly reversed his previous policy and began exposing critics, mainly intellectuals, as “rightists.” From this time on, it was no longer possible to criticize Mao at all, and China was to be plunged into the reckless and radical policy of the Great Leap Forward.
Katsuji Nakagane
Chapter 5. The Great Leap Forward, the People’s Commune, and the Great Famine: Mao Zedong’s Fantasy with Disastrous Results
Abstract
The Great Leap Forward movement, which began in 1958, involved the entire nation. This chapter will focus on the following points: Why such a policy was launched, how it developed—what was the background of the worst famine in history? Furthermore, how many people died and what Mao’s role was in bringing about such a catastrophe? I will consider these questions, basically using the memoirs of Li Rui, one of Mao’s secretaries, as well as supplementing with other sources. Finally, I will present my own views on the meaning of this movement.
Katsuji Nakagane
Chapter 6. The Tragedy of Peng Dehuai: The Lushan Conference and Its Aftermath
Abstract
From the start of the Great Leap Forward policy and the People’s Commune movement, the entire country was immediately plunged into chaos, and many people in rural areas began to starve to death. At the Lushan Conference of the Party held in July 1959, Peng Dehuai, then Minister of National Defense, euphemistically criticized Mao Zedong’s policies in a personal letter to him, which infuriated Mao, and Peng Dehuai, along with Zhang Wentian and others who agreed with him, were thoroughly criticized as an anti-Party group. Peng was allowed to work in Yunnan for a time, but when the Cultural Revolution began he was recalled to Beijing and brutally persecuted by the Red Guards, to the effect that he lost his life. I conclude with my own interpretation of the meaning of the Peng Dehuai’s tragedy.
Katsuji Nakagane
Chapter 7. Mao Zedong’s “Political Economy”: An Anatomy of His “Economics of Contradiction”
Abstract
It is often said that, in stark contrast to Deng Xiaoping, Mao Zedong lacked an understanding of economics, especially since Mao’s Great Leap Forward policy was such a massive failure, plunging the Chinese economy into a catastrophic crisis. While he had an economic goal of high growth centered on heavy industrialization, he disliked material incentives, demanded self-reliance, and even brought class struggle into the economy, which prevented him from achieving his goals. This chapter summarizes the characteristics of Mao’s “political economy,” while contrasting it with Deng Xiaoping’s “economics.” Finally, I will evaluate Mao’s political economics from my perspective.
Katsuji Nakagane
Chapter 8. The Cultural Revolution and Mao Zedong: The Outcome of a Revolution without Revolution
Abstract
This chapter focuses on the Cultural Revolution, which, along with the Great Leap Forward, was one of the worst major tragedies of the Mao era. I trace the process that led to its occurrence and considers why Mao launched this movement. I also present my hypothesis on the mechanism of why and how this “Revolution” took place and unfolded. Then I present my own viewpoint on how this Revolution should be evaluated as a whole. I consider this from two perspectives: One is that it was a struggle over ideals and ideology, and the other is that it was an internal political struggle over power.
Katsuji Nakagane
Chapter 9. Emperor Mao Zedong and Premier Zhou Enlai: A Brief Analysis of the Mao-Zhou Relationship
Abstract
This chapter examines the long-standing relationship between Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai and its evolution. Although Zhou Enlai held a higher position within the Party than Mao Zedong in the early stages of the revolutionary struggle, their positions were reversed after the Zunyi Conference of 1935, and Zhou, who decided to obey Mao during the Rectification Movement of 1942, assisted Mao as Prime Minister after the founding of the country. Zhou initially opposed Mao’s Great Leap Forward policy, but later self-criticized and succumbed to him, and during the Cultural Revolution, he followed Mao totally and promoted this Revolution line. Through examining the long-term relationship between Mao and Zhou, I characterize Mao’s personality, and at the same time evaluate Zhou’s actions and roles during the post-Revolution era, in particular.
Katsuji Nakagane
Chapter 10. How Should We Evaluate Mao Zedong?: Mao Zedong and Contemporary China
Abstract
Mao Zedong referred to himself as “Marx plus the First Emperor of Qin (Qinshihuang)”. As the founder of Maoist Marxism (Maoism) he used ideology like a religious doctrine and ruled post-revolutionary China with charismatic authority. This religious-like authority was a major factor in stabilizing Chinese society even during huge disasters like the Great Leap Forward and the Cultural Revolution. At the same time, he established a power structure similar to that of the First Emperor of Qin, which formed the governance principles of the Communist Party as well as the Chinese nation and continues to this day. Mao is still revered as a great figure in China, but can he truly be considered great given the enormous sacrifices he brought upon China? This chapter will look back on Mao’s thoughts and policies and provide my comprehensive evaluation of Mao Zedong.
Katsuji Nakagane
Backmatter
Metadaten
Titel
Mao Zedong and Contemporary China
verfasst von
Katsuji Nakagane
Copyright-Jahr
2024
Verlag
Springer Nature Singapore
Electronic ISBN
978-981-9717-61-3
Print ISBN
978-981-9717-60-6
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-97-1761-3

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