| theme | key ideas | philosophical roots |
| Dialectical worldview | Mao’s 1937 essay On Contradiction teaches that everything contains opposing forces and that change comes from internal contradictions. The “law of the unity of opposites” is the basic law of materialist dialectics . To understand development, one must study things internally and in relation to others . | Adapted from Marxism/Leninism; emphasises motion and change. |
| Practice as the test of truth | In On Practice (1937), Mao argues that knowledge arises from social practice – production, class struggle and scientific experiment. Practice is the criterion of truth; ideas must be judged by whether they work in reality . Failure is a chance to learn and improve. | Encourages continual learning, openness to criticism and grassroots experimentation. |
| Mass line and “Serve the People” | Mao’s mass‑line method stresses “from the masses, to the masses”: leaders gather ideas from ordinary people, refine them with revolutionary theory and return them to guide action . His 1944 speech Serve the People declares that Communist “battalions” exist to “work entirely in the people’s interests” ; comrades should welcome criticism and correct mistakes . | A democratic style of leadership that values humility and service over elitism. |
| Revolutionary strategy | Mao replaced the orthodox “urban proletariat” model with a rural‑based New Democracy. He advocated a two‑stage revolution: first a broad democratic revolution led by a united front of workers, peasants, petty bourgeoisie and national bourgeoisie under proletarian leadership, then a socialist transformation . His concept of the people’s democratic dictatorship combines democracy for the people with dictatorship over reactionaries, based on the workers‑peasantry alliance . | Emphasised pragmatic alliances and gradual transition to socialism. |
| People’s war and continuous struggle | In Maoist thought “political power grows out of the barrel of a gun”; revolutionary war is the continuation of politics and is necessary to sweep away reactionary obstacles . Guerrilla warfare starts by mobilising and organizing peasants, sets up rural base areas and then transitions to conventional warfare. Mao also argued that class struggle continues under socialism; bourgeois elements can re‑emerge within the party, so revolutionary vigilance and periodic “cultural revolutions” are needed . | Promotes resilience and readiness to defend gains while staying connected to the masses. |
Putting it all together
Mao’s philosophy is not just a set of rules – it is a vibrant way of thinking and living. It urges us to seek truth from facts, trust the creative power of ordinary people and embrace contradictions as drivers of growth . It celebrates practice over empty theory, encouraging us to test ideas in the real world, learn from failures and continually adjust . Mao asks revolutionaries to immerse themselves in the people’s daily lives, serve the people selflessly, welcome criticism and let the masses shape the revolutionary line .
The upbeat, hopeful essence of Maoism shines through in his call for New Democracy – a broad alliance to transform society – and his belief that even under socialism the struggle for a fairer world must continue . Whether one agrees with all his conclusions or not, the philosophy of Mao Zedong remains a stirring reminder that “to die for the people is weightier than Mount Tai” and that ordinary people, united and empowered, can shape history.