Question by Geyamala: what is the difference between Trotsky’s permanent revolution and Mao’s cultural revolution?
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Answer by shina
better to say-nothing in common
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Permanent_revolution
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cultural_Revolution
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acsman123 says
We have our KARAT -kosky Revaluation in India.The theories of the past in the present context are more or less dead. China has it’s path cut out and made changes to cope up with their societal needs.
We in India is in the midst of revolution which will see casteism at it’s peak and then being replaced by class struggle as is being preached and put to practice by the communists leaders in India. They definitely need to relook into whole philosophy and make ammends.
I did have some inclination towards comunisms in the past and gererally believe that communism is the ultimate in the changing world . But sorry i am not much conversant with the bookish knowledge.
justgoodfolk says
Mao’s fundamental class orientation was graphically shown in the “Cultural Revolution” of 1966, in which he declared war on everything associated with modern industrial society: the working class, science, art and education.
It had nothing to do with socialism and is certainly anti Marxist. I would even call it an anti revolution.
Trotsky's theory of permanent revolution refers to the idea the socialist revolution can only be successful and considered won when a socialist society is established worlwide. This opposed to Stalin's theory of "socialism in one country" that the Chinese also used.
The socialist revolution is international in scope. As Trotsky wrote, “The socialist revolution begins on the national arena, it unfolds on the international arena, and is completed on the world arena. Thus, the socialist revolution becomes a permanent revolution in a newer and broader sense of the word; it attains completion only in the final victory of the new society on our entire planet.”
The strategy of the working class, in the United States as in all countries, must proceed from an analysis of world conditions. The era of national programs ended with the outbreak of World War I. Nearly one hundred years later, given the colossal growth of the world economy and its global integration, world economic conditions and the exigencies of inter-imperialist and inter-capitalist rivalries are the principal determinants of national life. Therefore, as Trotsky explained, “the national orientation of the proletariat must and can flow only from a world orientation and not vice versa.”
Wherever revolutionary struggles of the working class first break out, whether in an advanced or lesser-developed capitalist country, in North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia or Australasia, the social conflagration will inevitably assume global dimensions. The socialist revolution will not and cannot be completed within a national framework. It will, as foreseen by Trotsky in his Theory of Permanent Revolution, be completed on the world arena.
sly_ice99 says
Trotsky wanted to move on the path to an egalitarian plan with all equality and no government (the true path of Marxism). Which is why Stalin highly opposed him. (A political and economic plan)
Mao's Cultural Revolution was a rebound of Mao's power back from the triumvirate of power that was established after the failure of the Great Leap Forward. The CR was a massive plan to make a new Cult of Personality for Mao that involved 3 main steps-
1. Regain political face with China
2. Make the youth more revolutionary
3. Make successors who follow in Mao's path
(Not anything tot do with economics.)
Twisted Values says
Trotsky lost, was deported and later executed
On May 24, 1940, Trotsky survived a raid on his home by Stalinist assassins led by GPU agent Iosif Grigulevich, Mexican painter and Stalinist David Alfaro Siqueiros, and Vittorio Vidale.[citation needed]
[edit] Assassination
Study where the attack on Leon Trotsky took place.
On August 20, 1940, Trotsky was successfully attacked in his home by a NKVD agent, Ramón Mercader, who buried the pick of an ice axe into Trotsky's skull.[47]
The blow was poorly delivered and failed to kill Trotsky instantly, as Mercader had intended. Witnesses stated that Trotsky spat on Mercader and began struggling fiercely with him. Hearing the commotion, Trotsky's bodyguards burst into the room and nearly killed Mercader, but Trotsky stopped them, shouting, "Do not kill him! This man has a story to tell."[48] Trotsky was taken to a hospital, operated on, and survived for more than a day, dying at the age of 60 on August 21, 1940 as a result of severe brain damage.[49] Mercader later testified at his trial:
I laid my raincoat on the table in such a way as to be able to remove the ice axe which was in the pocket. I decided not to miss the wonderful opportunity that presented itself. The moment Trotsky began reading the article, he gave me my chance; I took out the ice axe from the raincoat, gripped it in my hand and, with my eyes closed, dealt him a terrible blow on the head.[citation needed]
According to James P. Cannon, the secretary of the Socialist Workers Party (USA), Trotsky's last words were "I will not survive this attack. Stalin has finally accomplished the task he attempted unsuccessfully before."[50]
Pooh. says
Hmm.. Well you see, Mao's Cultural Revolution has nothing to do with communism, China has never been a communist nor socialist country. Mao is a dictator, period. The cultural revolution is just a reason for Mao to get rid of his opponent, the people around him, the "anti-worker" class (Teacher Scientist Poet etc etc anyone except farmers)