Stalin, Mao, idealism and voluntarism

[Jim Jaszewski]

On Wed, 11 Oct 1995, Maoist Internationalist Movement wrote:

> "The correctness or otherwise of the ideological and political line
> decides everything. When the Party's line is correct, then
> everything will come its way. If it has no followers, then
> it can have followers; if it has no guns, then it can have guns;
> if it has no political power, then it can have political power."
> (S. Schram, ed., Chairman Mao Talks to the People, p. 290)
> 
> This quote is what causes some to call Mao "idealist," but it's
> a really simple-minded critique.

	I think it's the absolutist `decides everything' above that's 
causing much of the trouble here.  Most everything else you say here is 
not as controversial...


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