A+| A| A-
1966, 1917, and 1818
"Let a hundred flowers bloom," "Let a hundred schools of thought contend"--these might be the best ways to approach the anniversary of the Cultural Revolution and the forthcoming commemorations of the Russian Revolution and 200 years since the birth of Karl Marx.
This year marks 50 years since Mao and his close comrades launched the Cultural Revolution in China. Next year, 2017, will be 100 years since the February and October revolutions in Russia. And, 2018 will mark the 200th birth anniversary of Karl Marx (1818–1883), whose works were a compelling source of inspiration for the Russian and Chinese revolutionaries. The three anniversaries will doubtless be occasions when, illuminated by their vision of a decent human society, the works of Marx and his close comrade and friend Friedrich Engels will be reinterrogated. Surely questions will be asked as to why subsequent socialist revolutionaries inspired by that vision—most of all, Vladimir Lenin and his Bolshevik comrades in Russia, and Mao Zedong and his close comrades in China—despite their best efforts, could not lay the basis for a socialist society—a society of equality, cooperation, community and solidarity.1
‘Bombard the Headquarters’
Dear Reader,
Or
To gain instant access to this article (download).
(Readers in India)
(Readers outside India)
