Philosophical Influence:
Traditional Chinese Thought:
Confucianism: Mao was educated in Confucian texts, and his early emphasis on moral leadership and unity reflected Confucian ideals, even as he later criticized it as feudal.
Legalism: His focus on centralized authority, discipline, and strict governance resonated with Legalist principles.
Daoism: Mao’s strategic military tactics often reflected Daoist adaptability and reliance on shifting conditions to guide action (Wu Wei in guerrilla warfare).
Foreign Influences:
Marxism-Leninism: Mao adapted Marxist theories of class struggle to China’s largely agrarian society, emphasizing the role of the peasantry in revolution.
Lenin’s Vanguard Party model shaped the CCP’s structure, with Mao adding an emphasis on mass mobilization.
Philosophical Contributions:
Maoism (毛泽东思想): Advocated for the continuous revolution, aligning socialism with China's cultural and material conditions. His thought included:
People’s War: A strategy of mobilizing rural peasants against urban elites.
Self-reliance: Stemming from Daoist and Marxist influences, emphasizing China's independence in development.
Mass Line: Reflecting Confucian responsiveness to the people, this principle involved listening to the masses while maintaining Party leadership.