Book by Weiguang: An Examination of the Lessons Learned from the Successes and Failures of Socialist Practice in Eastern Europe and USSR

Wang Weiguang, 2024

Social Sciences Press

ISBN：9787522727752

Book Content

Contents
Preface
I. General Introduction
- Contradictions in Socialist Society and the Dynamics of Its Development
  1. (I) Major and Urgent Issue of the Times
  2. (II) The Philosophical Cornerstone of Contemporary Socialism
  3. (III) Profound Reflection in the Process of Twisting and Turning Understanding
  4. The road to liberation from the theoretical “purgatory ”.
    - (I) The Contradiction between Production and Need as the Main Line for Grasping the Contradiction in Socialist Society
    - (II) The Revelation of Marx’s Method of Analysis
- The Historical Fate of Marxism and Socialism
  1. (I) Throughout a 150-years of world history, the inevitability of socialism and the truthfulness of Marxism have been eloquently proved.
  2. (II) The successful creation of the road of socialism with Chinese characteristics and the effective resistance of China’s reform and opening up to international financial risks highlight the tenacious vitality of socialism.
  3. (III) The innovation of the theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics has injected fresh content into Marxism and demonstrated its strong creativity
  4. (IV) Adhering to the guidance of the mainstream ideology of Marxism, emphasizing and strengthening the Party’s ideological work

II. Firmly defend Marxism-Leninism and resolutely oppose the denial of Lenin and Stalin.

To uphold and develop Marxism, Leninism must be consistently upheld and developed.
1. Marxism-Leninism is a scientific and complete theoretical system that is closely intertwined and has always been the guiding ideology of our Party.
2. Lenin was a great leader of the proletariat who made great and immortal contributions to the international communist movement and the progress of human society.
3. Lenin was a great Marxist who advanced Marxism to the new stage of Leninism.
4. Leninism is an important part of Marxism and has great practical significance in guiding the construction of socialism with Chinese characteristics.
The complete rejection of Stalin has brought subversive and serious evil consequences to the cause of scientific socialism.
1. (ı) the evaluation of Stalin is a major issue of Marxist-Leninist political principle.
2. (II) Distorting, denying and discrediting Stalin has brought disastrous, subversive and historically serious consequences to the cause of Marxism and socialism.
3. (IIı)I A. Louise Strong’s 1956 book, The Age of Stalin, provides a clear-cut answer to the question of Stalin’s evaluation.
4. The struggle over the evaluation of Stalin’s merits and demerits is essentially a life-and-death game between the proletariat and the bourgeoisie, and between the socialist and capitalist social systems.
5. The CPC has always adopted an objective and impartial attitude towards the issue of Stalin’s evaluation and has always insisted on scientific evaluation of Stalin.
6. Stalin was a great Marxist, and it is necessary to adhere to the principle of “30% to 70%” and fully affirm Stalin and his historical achievements.
7. Opposing historical nihilism in the evaluation of historical figures is a serious political struggle, and we must learn from the lessons of history on the evaluation of Stalin.

Lenin’s Theory and Revelations on the Strategy and Tactics of the Socialist Movement
1. I. The background of Lenin’s theory of strategy and tactics of the socialist movement in the era of emergence and development of Leninism
  - (a) The continuous development of Western strategy theory emphasizes the urgency of the study of Marxist strategy and tactics theory.
  - (b) Marx and Engels’ study of the strategy and tactics of the proletariat and the socialist movement.
2. The main contents of Lenin’s theory of strategy and tactics of the socialist movement
  - (a) Lenin’s development of the theory of strategy and tactics of the socialist movement
  - (b) Correct understanding of the problems of the times as a theoretical prerequisite for the formulation of the strategy and tactics of the socialist movement
  - (c) Adherence to the unity of firmness of purpose and flexibility of strategy, and differentiation between the tasks and methods of struggle at different stages of the socialist revolution.
  - (d) Adherence to the principle of proletarian internationalism and support for the revolutionary movements in the colonial and semi-colonial countries.
  - (e) To deal flexibly with the political and economic relations with the capitalist countries and to consolidate and develop proletarian power.
3. III Lenin’s theoretical exploration of the strategy and tactics of the socialist movement
  - (a) Scientific understanding of the background of the times and the formulation of correct strategies and tactics in accordance with the changes in the international pattern.
  - (b) Strengthen the concept of the big picture and the sense of the overall situation, and respond scientifically to the adjustments and changes in the international pattern.
  - (c) Unite all forces that can be united and work for the common and long-term interests of all mankind.

The Greatest Change the World Has Never Seen in a Century:

An Analysis of Lenin’s Theory of Imperialism Today

I. The Background of the Unprecedented Changes in the World today
- (a) Imperialist monopoly has become more sophisticated and hidden.
- (b) Hegemony and power politics are still prevalent.
- (c) The dying character of imperialism has become more prominent.
The evolutionary dynamics of the great changes the world has never seen in a hundred years
- (i) Economic globalization and world multi-polarity are deepening.
- (ii) The accelerated development of the scientific and technological revolution and industrial change.
Connotative Characteristics of the Unprecedented Great Changes in the World
- (i) Systemic crisis within capitalist countries
- (ii) Changes and adjustments in the imperialist world order
- (iii) The decline of global control of contemporary financial imperialism.
Evolutionary Trends and Laws of the World’s Greatest Uncertainty Unseen in a Century
- (I) Socialism will inevitably replace capitalism
- (ii) The community of shared human destiny is the bright direction for the evolution of the imperialist world order.
- (iii) The transition from capitalism to socialism is long-term and tortuous process.
Returning History to its Truth
Worth reading and learning from
A victory of good over evil
Unforgettable History, Unstoppable Trend
1. A History We Cannot Forget
2. “Two Unshakeables” decision
3. A trend that cannot be reversed
4. A vision that cannot be ignored
Historical facts must not be distorted with claptrap.
1. Hitler’s Germany was the instigator of the “Polish War”, while Stalin’s USSR took a neutral stance in the war.
2. Second, American scholars refute the accusation that Stalin and Hitler were both responsible for World War II: the Soviet Union did not divide Poland.
3. Stalin and the USSR were not complicit in the partition of China by militarist Japan, and the USSR gave China enormous assistance in the War of Resistance against Japan.
Stalin and the New Form of Socialist Civilization
1. I. Stalin’s USSR made pioneering contributions in all aspects.
2. II The profound influence of the Soviet Union under Stalin’s leadership on modern world civilization.
3. III Summary
Root Causes and Deep Lessons of the Metamorphosis of the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe
- Fundamental Causes, Lessons and Implications of the Soviet Union’s Death of the Party and the State

I. The ideological and political degeneration of the leadership group from Khrushchev to Gorbachev was the root cause of the demise of the Soviet Union.
- (a) The ideological and political degeneration of the leadership group from Khrushchev to Gorbachev.
- (ii) A brief analysis of 12 other views on the causes of the demise of the USSR.
Important Lessons of the Soviet Union’s Party and State Collapse
- (a) The self-construction of a large party is not only related to the party’s survival, but also to the future destiny of the country, the people and even mankind.
- (b) The beliefs, theories, outlook on life and values of leaders are directly related to the success or failure of the grand socialist cause.
- (c) Lack of sobriety, correctness and firmness in ideological, theoretical and political matters will inevitably lead the Party and the country astray or even down an evil path.
- (d) The fundamental system embodying the will of the people must be embodied in the text of the Constitution and its implementation, and these fundamental principles must not be shaken or disguised or even abolished.
- (e) Only by adhering to the lofty ideals of communism and the conviction that socialism will prevail will the Party have cohesion and combat power.
- (f) Giving up the guiding position of Marxism and violating the principles of scientific socialism will inevitably lead to the evil consequences of changing the flag and the demise of the Party and the country.
- (g) Attaching great importance to ideological work, promptly countering all kinds of non-Marxist and anti-Marxist trends, and maintaining the Party’s revolution, advancement and purity in ideological and political theories.
- (h) Unwaveringly adhere to the Party’s absolute leadership of the military, and never cut off its own spine and become the fish meat under the chopping board of reactionary forces.
- (i) We must be highly vigilant against the West’s strategy of peaceful evolution, and must not allow the fifth column to run amok in the country or even within the Party, especially the phenomenon of “taking over the nest” in the Party’s leadership group, or the collapse of the Party and the country will become inevitable.
Important insights into the demise of the Soviet Party and State
- (a) It is necessary to strengthen the “four consciousnesses”, resolutely safeguard Comrade Xi Jinping’s position as the core of the Party Central Committee and the core of the Party as a whole, and resolutely safeguard the authority and centralized and unified leadership of the Party Central Committee, and at the same time, it is necessary to grasp the fundamental plan of having new successors.
- (b) We must insist on the Party’s self-revolution, maintain the Party’s vigor and vitality, and jump out of the historical cycle of the rise and fall of political parties and regimes.
- (c) The Party must effectively focus on the central task of economic construction, consolidate and strengthen the socialist publicly-owned economy, and unswervingly promote the common prosperity of the people.
- (d) We must persist in our efforts to improve the Party’s ideological work, and continue to criticize all kinds of erroneous viewpoints and wrong thinking.
- (e) We must always adhere to the fundamental purpose of serving the people wholeheartedly and the Party’s fine style of work, and put into practice the fundamental requirement that the people should be the masters of their own house.
- (f) We must firmly grasp the absolute leadership of the Party over the military, and resolutely criticize the so-called “nationalization of the military” and “departyization of the military” and other erroneous thinking.
- (g) We must resolutely oppose all forms of hegemonism, power politics, unilateralism and protectionism, adhere to the peaceful diplomacy of an independent great power, and promote the building of a community of human destiny.
- (h) We must adhere to the Party’s organizational line and its educational policy, and strive to cultivate and forge builders and successors for the socialist cause who will assume the great responsibility of national rejuvenation.
- (i) The Party must adhere to and develop Marxism, carry out in-depth and sustained theoretical learning and education activities, and constantly open up new horizons for the Chineseization of Marxism.
- (j) We must firmly establish a correct outlook on the times and the themes of the times, be prepared for danger in times of peace and security, be confident that we will always carry out great struggles with many new historical characteristics, and contribute to the creation and development of a new form of human civilization.

Historical Nihilism and the Breakup of the Soviet Union
1. INTRODUCTION
2. Lies and Truth
  - Lie No. 1: “Lenin was a German spy”.
  - Lie No. 2: “Stalin’s purges killed millions, even 30 million to 50 million people.”
  - Lie No. 3: “Stalin betrayed Lenin and Leninism.”
  - Lie No. 4: “The inefficiency of the socialist system of public ownership was the root cause of the collapse of the Soviet Union.”
  - Lie No. 5: “The Second World War was started by Hitler and Stalin.”
  - Lie No. 6: “Many of the heroes and role models of the Soviet Union were faked.”
3. Origin and spread
  - One of the main channels for the spread of historical nihilism: various kinds of out-of-control media and numerous seminars and conferences.
  - The second major channel for the spread of historical nihilism: the falsification of history textbooks.
  - The third major channel for the spread of historical nihilism: the “unveiling” of the so-called “historical archives”.
  - The fourth major channel for the spread of historical nihilism: the field of literature and art.
4. III. Fueling and Evolution
5. IV Roots and Substance
6. V Disaster and Reflection
7. Revelation
Why Men Didn’t Fight
1. I. Why Party Members Are Silent
2. II. Even in Silence, There was Resistance
3. III. Lessons from History
Gorbachev’s Myths
1. I. Democratic Dreams and Lost Beliefs
2. II. Political Fervor and Governance Failure
3. III. Political Virus and Lost Path
4. IV. Jumping out of the Western Trap and Exploring the Road to Autonomy
Re-examining the Reasons for the Dissolution of Yugoslavia
1. I. Inherent shortcomings in the historical Yugoslav state-building
2. II Internal Reasons for the Dissolution of the Yugoslav Federation
3. III External Causes of the Breakup of Yugoslavia
Domestic and International Public Opinion on Gorbachev’s Death and Revelations
1. I. Western Politicians’ Evaluation of Gorbachev and the Political Purpose Behind It
2. II. Evaluation of Gorbachev in Russia and the reasons for it
3. III. Evaluation of Mikhail Gorbachev by Domestic Public Opinion
4. IV. Warning against public opinion murmurs surrounding the Gorbachev issue
Thirty Years after the Dissolution of the USSR: Reflections on the Changes in the Evaluation of the USSR in Russian Society
1. I. Evaluation of the USSR in Public Opinion Surveys and its Changes
  - (I) Evaluation of the August 19th Incident and its Changes
  - (ii) Evaluation of the socialist path in the USSR and its changes
  - (iii) Attitudes toward the Soviet state and their changes.
  - (d) Evaluation of the Soviet leaders and their changes.
  - (v) Evaluation of the dissolution of the USSR and changes in it.
2. II. Main lines of change in the evaluation of the Soviet Union in Russian society
  - (i) The lines of change in the evaluation of the path to socialism
  - (ii) Changing lines of evaluation of the USSR
  - (iii) Changes in the evaluation of the Soviet leadership
  - (d) Changing lines of evaluation of the collapse of the USSR.
3. The pattern of changes in the evaluation of the USSR in Russian society
  - (a) Evaluation follows the path from perceptual to rational understanding.
  - (b) Evaluation changes and economic development run in the opposite direction.
  - (c) The core cognitive element of evaluation is moving from abstraction to pragmatism.
4. Conclusion
The Contemporary Direction of the International Communist Movement and the World Socialist Cause
- The Historical Process and Contemporary Trends of World Socialist Development
  1. I. Socialism from Idea to Science
  2. II. Socialism from theory to practice
  3. III. Socialism from one country to many countries
  4. IV. Socialism from twists and turns to revitalization
- The International Communist Movement Advances in a Period of Turbulence and Change

the Marxist parties in many countries honor the great revolutionary mentor, review the centuries-old history, and adjust their strategies of struggle.

(A) Marxist Parties in Many Countries Commemorate the 200th Anniversary of the Birth of Friedrich Engels
(B) Multinational Marxist political parties commemorate the 150th anniversary of the birth of Vladimir Lenin.
(C) Marxist political parties in many countries review the centenary of the founding of the party, summarize historical experience and adjust their strategies of struggle.
The advantages and disadvantages of the two systems in the context of the New Corona Epidemic
- (A) Socialist countries have achieved remarkable results in controlling the epidemic, fully demonstrating the superiority of the socialist system.
- (B) The epidemic has exposed the shortcomings of the capitalist system.
Socialist countries firmly follow the path of socialism and plan new grand blueprints
- (1) The Communist Party of Vietnam has completed the rotation of leadership and set the “Two Hundred Years” development goal.
- (2) Laos has made remarkable achievements in eradicating poverty, and the People’s Revolutionary Party has set the goal of modernization.
- (3) The Workers’ Party of Korea celebrated the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Party and held the 8th Party Congress to determine a development strategy centered on economic construction.
- (4) Cuba adjusted its socio-economic development plan and elected new leaders at the 8th Party Congress.
The international communist movement still needs to move forward.
A hundred years of vicissitudes, the right path is brilliant
1. Reviewing the vicissitudes of history and revisiting revolutionary character
  - (I) Reviewing the historical status and far-reaching significance of the Paris Commune
  - (2) Reflect on the reasons for the collapse of the Soviet Union and remember the lessons of history.
  - (3) Activate the revolutionary spirit of the historical figures of the international communist movement.
2. Socialist countries summarize their successful experiences and plan for the development blueprint in the new period.
  - (a) Celebrating the centenary of the Communist Party of China, boosting confidence in world socialism
  - (b) Vietnam completed the rotation of new Party and State leaders and put forward new ideas on socialist theory.
  - (c) The Cuban Communist Party held its 8th National Congress, refining and renewing its philosophy and successfully addressing ideological challenges.
  - (d) The Workers’ Party of Korea held its 8th National Congress, focusing on economic development and people’s livelihood.
  - (e) The Lao People’s Revolutionary Party held its 11th National Congress, making significant progress in building a community of destiny between China and the Lao People’s Democratic Republic.
3. Non-ruling communist parties are actively addressing the challenges of reality and seeking room for survival and development as they look back on their difficult history.
  - (a) Many communist parties celebrated the centennial of their founding, summing up their experiences in struggle and strengthening their ideals and beliefs.
  - (b) The communist parties in the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe have endeavored to emerge from the shadow of the disintegration of the Soviet Union and actively respond to new challenges.
  - (c) The parties continue to combine internal and external struggles, and are showing some new features.
4. Prospects
New Characteristics and Trends of International Left-Wing Forces under the Changing Circumstances of the Century
1. I. New Features of the Development of International Left Forces
2. New progress in the study of international left-wing forces
3. Pluralistic Development of Left-Wing Forces in the World

(I) Left-wing Forces in Europe: Making a Breakthrough in the Capitalist Quagmire

(ii) Left-wing Forces in Russia, the Middle East and Africa: Steady Advancement in Difficulties

(iii) Latin American left-wing forces: gradually gaining ground in the political game.

(iv) Left-wing forces in Asia and Oceania: steady development in the midst of struggles.

Conclusion

The Present Situation, Dilemmas and Strategic Adjustment of the Communist Parties in the Former Soviet Union Region

the Marxist parties in many countries honor the great revolutionary mentor, review the centuries-old history, and adjust their strategies of struggle.

(A) Marxist Parties in Many Countries Commemorate the 200th Anniversary of the Birth of Friedrich Engels
(B) Multinational Marxist political parties commemorate the 150th anniversary of the birth of Vladimir Lenin.
(C) Marxist political parties in many countries review the centenary of the founding of the party, summarize historical experience and adjust their strategies of struggle.
The advantages and disadvantages of the two systems in the context of the New Corona Epidemic
- (A) Socialist countries have achieved remarkable results in controlling the epidemic, fully demonstrating the superiority of the socialist system.
- (B) The epidemic has exposed the shortcomings of the capitalist system.
Socialist countries firmly follow the path of socialism and plan new grand blueprints
- (1) The Communist Party of Vietnam has completed the rotation of leadership and set the “Two Hundred Years” development goal.
- (2) Laos has made remarkable achievements in eradicating poverty, and the People’s Revolutionary Party has set the goal of modernization.
- (3) The Workers’ Party of Korea celebrated the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Party and held the 8th Party Congress to determine a development strategy centered on economic construction.
- (4) Cuba adjusted its socio-economic development plan and elected new leaders at the 8th Party Congress.
The international communist movement still needs to move forward.
A hundred years of vicissitudes, the right path is brilliant
1. Reviewing the vicissitudes of history and revisiting revolutionary character
  - (I) Reviewing the historical status and far-reaching significance of the Paris Commune
  - (2) Reflect on the reasons for the collapse of the Soviet Union and remember the lessons of history.
  - (3) Activate the revolutionary spirit of the historical figures of the international communist movement.
2. Socialist countries summarize their successful experiences and plan for the development blueprint in the new period.
  - (a) Celebrating the centenary of the Communist Party of China, boosting confidence in world socialism
  - (b) Vietnam completed the rotation of new Party and State leaders and put forward new ideas on socialist theory.
  - (c) The Cuban Communist Party held its 8th National Congress, refining and renewing its philosophy and successfully addressing ideological challenges.
  - (d) The Workers’ Party of Korea held its 8th National Congress, focusing on economic development and people’s livelihood.
  - (e) The Lao People’s Revolutionary Party held its 11th National Congress, making significant progress in building a community of destiny between China and the Lao People’s Democratic Republic.
3. Non-ruling communist parties are actively addressing the challenges of reality and seeking room for survival and development as they look back on their difficult history.
  - (a) Many communist parties celebrated the centennial of their founding, summing up their experiences in struggle and strengthening their ideals and beliefs.
  - (b) The communist parties in the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe have endeavored to emerge from the shadow of the disintegration of the Soviet Union and actively respond to new challenges.
  - (c) The parties continue to combine internal and external struggles, and are showing some new features.
4. Prospects
New Characteristics and Trends of International Left-Wing Forces under the Changing Circumstances of the Century
1. I. New Features of the Development of International Left Forces
2. New progress in the study of international left-wing forces
3. Pluralistic Development of Left-Wing Forces in the World