This is the last session of the League’s guide to the study of the fundamentals of Marxism-Leninism-Mao Zedong Thought. Its aim has been to introduce the basic principles and ideas of scientific socialism and to acquaint people with an understanding of the League.
This study has been just a beginning – we hope that everyone will continue to develop their understanding of Marxism-Leninism-Mao Zedong Thought and strive to use it in making revolution in the U.S. Grasping Marxism-Leninism is a process of study, practice, further study and summarization of experiences. In this way, scientific socialism is further enriched and used as a real weapon in the revolutionary struggle.
The readings for this session are short essays by Mao which contain important lessons on some of the qualities and outlook communists should have. Being a genuine communist is not just reading Marxist literature – it means transforming ourselves to be better able to serve the revolution. Bourgeois society fosters individualism, selfishness, pessimism and other bad types of thinking to demoralize and corrupt people. Communists must strive to overcome these weaknesses as part of forging the socialist revolution.
Lastly, the discussion questions for this session are devoted to summing up the experiences of this study series.
Mao Zedong, “Combat Liberalism,” “The Foolish Old Man Who Moved the Mountain” and “In Memory of Norman Bethune” all in Selected Readings.
1. What is your overall opinion of the study series? Its strengths and weaknesses? Do you have suggestions for improving the series?
2. How could your own participation in the study group have been improved?
3. What two or three things (concepts, ideas, etc.) did you find most interesting and helpful for your political work and development as a communist?