Date: Thu, 15 Feb 1996 19:53:12 -0500
From: Dan Axtell <daxtell-AT-connix.com>
Subject: Re: China and Trotskyism


I am not specifically defending the Comintern policy re China.  It was 
you who brought up Chen Tu-Hsui as an "opponent" of Stalin/Bukharin.  My 
post makes it clear that he wasn't much of a Marxist, thought like you 
he seemed to be well versed in bookish Marxism.

Let's say for the sake of argument that you are correct about the 
Comintern't line on China, that it led to disastrous mistakes.  Chen 
Tu-Hsui and people like him fled to the Trots, or recanted, but 
basically did nothing PRACTICAL to solve this situation.

Consider Mao.  He certainly paid a personal price in 1927 (death of wife 
and child), but it was he who forged the correct strategy of allying 
with the peasantry, and allying with the national bourgeoisie (the left 
KMT).  He also forged the policy of allying with the KMT against Japan, 
and breaking the alliance when necessary.  

It is a historical fact that Stalin sent more arms to the KMT than he 
did the CPC.  Despite all this, Mao and co. did not condemn Stalin and 
go the Tito route.  Mao's criticism of Stalin in course of socialist 
construction were practical, not idealist might-have-beens.

It seems logical that the inexperienced Chinese CP in 1927 would listen 
to bad advice from the Comintern, as they figured the Soviets knew what 
they were talking about.  But rather than blame everything on Stalin 
with 20/20 hindsight, Mao and Co. were able to learn from their OWN 
mistakes and lead a successful revolution.  As followers of Marx, we 
should see the internal contradictions as primary: in China the 
Comintern was NOT the determining factor for the success or failure of 
the revolution.  Yes, it played a role, but a secondary one.  It was you 
who said Stalin had the blood of 1927 on his hands.  Gee, I thought it 
was the KMT!  Who's the idealist?


As for Maoism being in sorry shape, well, Maoists are playing a key role 
in the armed struggle in Peru and the Philippines, and to a lesser 
extent in India and Turkey.  The Maoist theory of people's war is a 
viable strategy in semi-colonial countries with a proven track record.  
Trotskyism has nothing to show for itself after 70 years except a lot of 
books.


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