Divisions within the CCP between ideologues and pragmatists

Although members of the CCP wanted to transform China into a communist nation there was an argument over the ways to do it

What is an ideologue?

Someone who has very strong beliefs and stubbornly sticks to them no matter what.

Remaining dedicated the the revolution and communist ideology.

What is a pragmastist?

A person who is more guided by pratical considerations than ideals.

What did the Ideologues believe?

China must be transformed into a communist country as quickly as possible through mobilisation of the masses. They rigidly stuck to Mao’s interpretation of communist ideology Mao Zedong Thought.

Who in the Party were ideologues?

• Mao

• Lin Biao

• Jiang Qing

What did the pragmastists believe?

If China attempted to move too fast towards communism mistakes would be made with terrible consequences e.g. the GLF that led to the Great Famine.

Instead of trust in the masses, economic experts and educational bureaucrats should be given the power to make rational decisions.