Der Maoismus. Anmerkungen zum maoistischen Modell der Gesellschaft

Abstract Mao Tse-tung is seen in the historical context of the Chinese Revolution. As this was mainly a peasant rebellion, his special relationship with the aspirations of the rural masses is emphasized. The whole problem of urban-rural development is given in a detailed analysis. Based on the socio-economic characteristics of Maoism the question of party leadership via mass-line politics is outlined. The Maoist conception of 'controlled social conflict' stands in the center of this discussion. As Mao's main concern since the failure of the Great Leap Forward was with the cultivation of 'revolutionary successors', the youth-problem in the postrevolutionary climate of the sixties has been given special consideration. Emphasis is laid on the Cultural Revolution and Mao's specific brand of historical pessimism which was behind this tremendous decision to attack the vested state and party interests. A final chapter deals with the failure of Maoism and the anti-maoist policy of the new Chinese leadership under Hua Kuo-feng and Teng Hsiao-p'ing.