The 1990s were very dark days for the socialist forces and international communist communist movement . Socialism had been frustrated in the former USSR , a country that many had looked up to as a model and indeed worshiped as a ‘perfect socialist state ‘ and bastion of the international proletariat. Socialist countries in Eastern Europe disappeared as did the People’s Republic of Mongolia. The reactionaries and imperialists bragged that they had won a great victory , even that it was the “end of history “ .Many were dispirited ,disillusioned and confused .
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However in the far east one socialist country did not collapse ; Juche Korea of President KIM IL SUNG and Chairman KIM JONG IL . Amidst the fog of disillusion and confusion , Chairman KIM JONG IL raised the red flag of socialism high declaring “Expect No Change from Me “. In those days there was a vital need to reassert and reaffirm the scientific nature of socialism which was being slandered as never before by the imperialists and anti-communists . Indeed old forms of anti-communism became supplemented by new forms of anti-communism which blared about the “failure of socialism “ and supposed “unscientific nature” of socialism. In his work, “Socialism Is A Science “ comrade KIM JONG IL answers such slanders . He points out that
"The crumbling of socialism in various countries does not mean the failure of socialism as science but the bankruptcy of opportunism which has corrupted socialism. Although socialism is temporarily experiencing a heartrending setback because of opportunism, it will without fail be revived and win ultimate victory for its scientific accuracy and truth".
This analysis shows remarkable clarity and understanding . It was not socialism that collapsed as such but in fact revisionism or opportunism . What had existed in the USSR and other socialist countries was actually revisionist socialism , a corrupted socialism . Comrade KIM JONG IL shows that socialism is scientific and despite the heartrending setbacks that occurred in those days . Comrade KIM JONG IL was probably the only leader of a socialist country to do so .
When I read the work for the first time in November 1994 I thought it was a real intellectual tonic and an ideological shot in the arm.
Like a knife cutting through soft margarine comrade KIM JONG IL smashes revisionist and reformist arguments about class co-operation by saying that "The exploiter class and their stooges put forward the "theory of class cooperation" and tried to block the struggle of the exploited working masses against exploitation and oppression. Within the communist movement, reformists and revisionists demanded "class cooperation" and seriously harmed the revolutionary movement. Today, traitors to socialism are also clamoring for a return to capitalism, harboring illusions about capitalism and expecting "aid" and "cooperation" from the imperialists. History shows that to expect "good will" or "class cooperation" from the exploiter class is to make a mess of the revolution “
The idea of class cooperation and class collaboration is deeply embedded in the labour movements of European countries and even found its way into the communist movement . Some people wanted People’s Korea to ‘open up to imperialist aid and become an aid dependency of Western imperialism but the DPRK saw through it and refused.
Today under respected Marshal KIM JONG UN the DPRK harbours no illusions about imperialism or the south Korean puppets so it rejects ‘aid ‘ from them.
Also in “Socialism Is A Science “ comrade KIM JONG IL points out that there can be never be reform under capitalism by saying that
“The farce of “reform” staged by the ruling bourgeoisie is essentially aimed at extricating themselves from the crisis of capitalism. Social transformation on progressive lines can only be carried out by the awakened and united popular masses. Since everything in society is created by the masses, they must naturally be the masters of everything. Only in socialist society, where state power and the means of production belong to the people, can the masses be the real masters of everything in society.”
This is very true , there is no way that there can be change in favour of the working people under capitalism , it is indeed a farce . It is an illusion to expect reform under capitalism to benefit the working people . Thus “Socialism Is A Science “ is militantly anti-revisionist and anti-reformist .
Lastly , comrade KIM JONG IL explains that because the socialism of People’s Korea is based on the Juche idea it is strong and durable . He points out that
“The truth and advantages of socialism are demonstrated in the people’s support of and trust in it. Now that our socialism is based on the Juche-oriented view of and attitude towards the masses of the people, it has become the most advantageous and powerful socialism and enjoys the people’s absolute support and trust.”
Thus socialism in People’s Korea is different to that in other countries . It is a socialism centred upon the masses and based on benevolent politics . As comrade KIM JONG IL concludes
“Our Party will invariably and fully pursue genuine politics for the people, benevolent politics which regards the popular masses, the masters of everything in society, as supreme beings and bestows everlasting love and trust on them. Our Party and people are faced with the heavy yet honourable task of carrying forward and consummating through generations, the socialist cause of Juche which was initiated and led by the great leader Comrade Kim Il Sung. As it has always won victories in the past by believing in and relying on the people, so too in the future, our Party will accomplish the socialist cause of Juche by believing in and relying on them.
Man-centred socialism, socialism centred on the popular masse, is absolutely scientific, and the most advantageous and powerful socialism. For its scientific accuracy and truth, socialism is sure to be victorious.”
This adroitly sums up the superiority of Juche-based , people-centred socialism .
The work “ Socialism Is A Science “ is a very powerful work .Although it was published 30 years ago , it's clear message is still relevant, indeed very relevant today . I urge a deep study of this work .
Dr Dermot Hudson
Chairman British Group for the Study of the Juche Idea
Chairman Korean Friendship Association UK
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