On Mao Zedong's Socialist Concept

Mao Zedong's socialism concept is his total understandings and views on socialism. It is an integral part of Mao Zedong's whole theory, and is a rather complete system. As an important theory basis for Chinese socialist construction in Mao Zedong's time, his concept plays an immediate decisive role in the process of Chinese socialist revolution. Moreover, as the prelude of Deng Xiaoping Theory, Mao's concept has produced great influences on the historical process of Post Mao Zedong socialist time and will remain so in the new century. Thus, it is necessary for us to study Mao's concept in depth, and sum up the lessons and successful experiences, which will help us enhance the great career of socialist construction with Chinese characteristics.This paper consists of four parts:Part One - The historical conditions and theory origins. As an outcome of the time, the formation and development of Mao's concept is closely related to the home-and-abroad economic and political situations at that time, of which are both negative and positive, influencing his socialist views from different angles. As a theory system, Mao's concept has its own theory basis and ideological premise, including four aspects. The first one is the socialist thoughts of Marxism classical writers. The second one is the "Great Harmony Society" ideas from Chinese traditional cultures. The third one is the successful experiences accumulated from the Chinese Democratic Revolution Time. The fourth one is the lessons summed up from the practices of the socialist countries in East Europe and China herself.Part Two - The historical evolution. Viewing from Mao's whole life, the socialist concept experiences three stages: embryonic stage, formative stage, and development stage. Mao Zedong has different understandings on socialism at different stages.Part Three - The main contents. This part is the focus body of the paper. With the start points "What is socialism" and "How to construct socialism", this paper elucidates thoroughly and systematically Mao Zedong's ideas on socialist essence, ideal model, and economic-political-cultural construction.Part Four - The significance and historic limitations. As an outstanding creative theory, Mao Zedong's socialist concept not only adds to Marxism, but also provides an ideological premise for Deng Xiaoping Theory. What is more, in practice, it is an embodiment of the whole Chinese people, and directs Chinese socialist constructions to great success. Today, his concept still remains valuable reference and contrast effects. Of course, as an outcome of the time, Mao Zedong's socialist concept also has its historic limitations, which is resulted from a variety of factors: of theory, of knowledge, and of social history.