Mao

Twentieth century has brought many revolutions on the face of the world. The century have seen a list of dictatorships, some constructive and others destructive. Leader principle, has however, been recognized as a basis of dictatorship. Chinese Revolution has been one of these mega revolutions of the twentieth century. The ultimate objective of the revolution was to bring China out of the ‘liberal bourgeoisie’, and the revolution was launched by the communist party under the supervison of great Mao Zedong. While discussiong the Chinese revolution, the great leap forward and the immediate infulence of the revlotuion, the role that Mao Zedong played as a leader cannot be ignored. Mao’s career examplifies the leader principle in a variety of styles. Being trained in a Chinese classics and later receiving the modern education, Zedong has deeeply observed the oppresive conditions of the society and aimed to nip the adversities in the bud. The reason behind the fact that people of China regard him as a symbol is his philosophy. The development of Maoist ideology was based on the foreign philosophical doctrines of Karl Marx and Vladimir Lenin. Mao, however, sinified Marxism in an attempt to ensure unrealistic future growth (Cheek, Timothy). Though, following the Marxist school of thought for the betterment of the economic structure of the country Mao’s belief of dictatorship has also some great influences on his career. Every Communist must grasp the truth: Political power grows out of the barrel of a gun (Zedong Mao). This statement of Mao clearly mentions that, in order to bring a change in status quo, the importance of political power cannot be denied, and the political power lies in leader principle. Though Mao’s career has mostly been highlighted with reference to the great Chinese Revolution, but his efforts date from the foundation of Chinese Communist Party, then Mao during the Second World War, and of course the prominent figure of the Chinese Revolution. Mao’s personality following the leader principle during the Second World War has been highlighted mostly because of the policies of Chiang Kai Shek, the opposition leader who consumed all of his energies to fight the communists, instead of the invading Japanese forces. This gave a plus point to Mao in fact. After this Mao’s efforts to bring the economic equilibrium in the country with special reference to the Chinese Revolution, has emerged in the history as a milestone. Though the revolution has been aimed to nip the roots of socialism, and was certainly in the favor of masses, but it still faces some critiques. According to Timothy Cheek, The Great Leap Forward was a product of Mao’s utopian visions at the Beidaihe Conference in August 1958 (Cheek 160). The Great Leap Forward was in fact the ultimate outcome of Mao’s Marxist view. It resulted in the boost of industries on one hand pushing the production levels higher, but on the other hands the peasantry and the agriculture sector got neglected very badly, as most of the farmers and the peasants left the occupation and started making steel. Cheek further says that ‘people simply believed in Mao’ (Cheek xiv). This statement of Cheek is of contradictory nature. On one hand it gives an impression that, the policies of Mao have been much attractive for the people, and on the other hand it may reflect the essence of dictatorship, where by people have no other option. The twenty seven years of rule made Mao a different image in the history, combination of achievements and a bit flaws. One more important element in the career of Mao Zedong was the personality cult in 1968. This gave Mao the ultimate political power and according to some researches, he sent his disloyal official to the country side to work in the labour camps. In the same time Zedong ordered to the young intellectuals to move to the countryside in order to educate the masses at villages. This effort of Zedong has largely been appreciated among the Chinese and that is the reason they gave him a God-like status. The young intellectuals though ordered to move to the villages, were allowed to get back to the cities later. The Cultural Revolution, people’s access to criticize the social and cultural institutions, and the economic and the political development in China has largely been associated with Zedong’s principle leadership. His thought became the central operative guide for the people of China; they ignored the traditional art and ideas while praising his efforts. Though being so much praised, there are some other views as well. Cheek at one place says ‘Jiang and David Ashley purport that Mao’s revolutionary achievements allowed him to continue to command immense respect (Cheek, xiv). This may be true to some extent, but in general, if a leader moulds the society and the economy in a more productive way with a specific acceleration, the respect among masses is the only and biggest reward for him. Mao’s career entitled with a long list of achievements has not only led him to have the respect and a God like status, but to have his name as a great leader of the history as well. It’s reported that, on Mao’s death people have been found crying on the streets. Some experts rate Mao’s era with 70% success and 30% failure. So 70% success is not bad at all. And the leader leading the nation towards this success if given the God-like status is not a command respect in my opinion. Mao’s era entitled with the social and economic achievements, though criticized to a limited extent, makes him the best leader in the history of China. And while comparing the other dictatorships in the world during the twentieth century, he’s been the most respected and successful one. Â   Work Cited: 1- Cheek, Timothy. [2002] (2002). Mao Zedong and China's Revolutions: A Brief History with Documents. Palgrave Macmillan Publishing. ISBN 0312294298 Â   Â   Â   Â   Â   Â