Mao Zedong Thought represents the application and development of Marxism-Leninism in China. It emerged from the Chinese Communist Party's revolutionary practice and became a guiding ideology for China's socialist construction. To systematically study this thought, we must understand its core principles, historical context, and practical applications.
The systematic study of Mao Zedong Thought begins with core foundational texts. The Selected Works of Mao Zedong contains his most important writings. Key philosophical works include On Practice and On Contradiction from 1937, which establish his epistemological and dialectical foundations. On New Democracy from 1940 outlines his theory of revolutionary stages, while On Protracted War from 1938 presents his military strategy. These texts, written during China's revolutionary period, form the theoretical backbone for understanding Mao's contributions to Marxist thought.
Mao Zedong Thought encompasses several key theoretical concepts that distinguish it within Marxist theory. The Theory of Practice emphasizes the unity of theory and practice, with practice serving as the ultimate criterion for testing truth. The Theory of Contradiction applies dialectical materialism to analyze the principal and secondary contradictions in Chinese society. The Mass Line represents a method of leadership that involves going to the masses, learning from them, and returning to guide them. People's War theory outlines revolutionary military strategy based on mobilizing the masses. These concepts form an interconnected theoretical system that guided China's revolutionary transformation.
Understanding Mao Zedong Thought requires examining its historical development across three major periods. During the Revolutionary Period from 1921 to 1949, the theoretical foundations were formed through practical struggles including the Anti-Japanese War and Civil War. The Early People's Republic period from 1949 to 1966 saw the development of socialist construction theories and economic models. The Cultural Revolution period from 1966 to 1976 emphasized continuous revolution and class struggle theories. Each historical phase contributed distinct theoretical elements, making Mao Zedong Thought a dynamic system that evolved with China's changing circumstances and revolutionary needs.
毛泽东思想的系统学习需要批判性分析，既要检视其在实践应用中的成功，也要审视其失败。这包括理解塑造其发展的历史背景，分析其对马克思主义思想的理论贡献，以及评估其当代相关性。平衡的方法需要结合多元学术观点和阐释，既不盲目接受也不随意否定。通过仔细研读原始文本、历史分析和批判性检视，学生可以对这一复杂理论体系及其在社会主义思想和实践发展中的地位形成细致的理解。