Maoism

Maoism is an ideology derived from the beliefs, lifestyle and principles of the late Mao Tse-tung who was born in one of the provinces in China. I have observed that a lot of political personalities who advance their principles were born with well-to-do families as in the likes of Jose Rizal, Simon Bolivar who were geniuses and academics in their own right. No wonder they have room to discover and theorize about society; it’s because they were formally schooled thus are equipped for further accumulation and cultivation of knowledge. Also, what is common with the 3 (and others) aforementioned personalities is that, it is their status of being learned that has opened their mind to possibilities of reform and societal transformation though in different styles.
What surrounded Mao during his time was an array of differing and diametrically opposing political beliefs. Though both Chinese, the Nationalist and the Communist parties were violently against each other. Another issue was that the Communist Party to which Mao belonged was under the influence (possibly even being manipulated) by the Russian communist leaders namely Lenin and Stalin. It was almost impossible to organize anything because even internal affairs were not consolidated and did not agree on many things. There was one point wherein there was an assassination plot planned against Mao by one of his supposed colleagues. So for one man to be steadfast despite this much adversity rightly deserves to be at the least bit recognized.
The Long March was one of the landmark events that rocked Chine during the time of Mao, from more than a hundred thousand supporters, the number was reduced to a mere ten thousand and Mao was one of them. The communists had much to prove with what they did; after being shunned and persecuted by the supporters of Chiang Kai-shek they were forced to escape the wrath of the nationalists and turn to the provinces. It was through this even that Mao theorized that they needed the peasants in order for the spirit of communism to live on. It was through the peasants in the countryside that most of the communist supporters survived. In the same way, the peasants developed a sympathy for the marchers that they’ve already absorbed their principles.
This is perhaps where the contemporary members of the New People’s Army are structuring their strategies from. Namumundok sila at dumudulog sa kanayunan dahil naroon ang tunay na pakikibaka. Mao during his time saw that the cities monopolized the attention of public officials, which was very unfair to those residing in the rural areas. In the Philippines, followers of Mao, who was largely a Marxian disciple, believe in land reform for the peasants. Vast tracks of land are owned by only a few, there is a need to collectivize farming because those who till the land at present are living below their supposed level of subsistence.
Mao was restored to power when the nationalist party were not able to sustain their grip on power. Mao proposed and implemented the Great Leap forward wherein he asked farmers to become workers in the campaign to industrialize the country. His intentions were good; the drive to modernize a nation would be greatly beneficial if things had gone the right way. The country was under the spell of a famine that critically affected their agriculture. The drought/ famine and the lessened number of field tillers resulted to the death of thousands of Chinese. This not only decreased his popularity, he also became an object of hate for the people.
Just like other people in politics, Mao had his share of ups and down. but despite all this, his name is contained in various history books, which only means that he has made a significant mark in history. His Red Book contained much of what he believe in and is constantly referenced by communists who wish to continue his struggle and propagate his ideology.