The Diffusion of Maoism in Global Communist Networks, 1964-1972

• In Event: Comparative-Historical Sociology Section Roundtables
  In Refereed Roundtable (60 minute): Comparative-Historical Roundtable 5

Abstract

Maoism emerged as a global revolutionary ideology in the 1960s. How could we understand the rapid diffusion of Maoism during the Cold War, despite the limited influence of China and Maoism's incompatibility with mainstream ideological template? Incorporating theories of world polity and ideational diffusion, I argue that the existence of multiple relatively independent domains within the global communist networks contributed to the rapid and extensive diffusion. I validate the argument with network analysis and the case study of American Maoism. I construct a global-scale network based on inter-party interactions of 141 countries from Yearbook on International Communist Affairs and other supplementary archives from 1964 to 1972. Although the global communist network was dominated by the Soviet Union and China was in a relatively peripheral position, there were multiple overlapping domains which extensive internal connections and relative autonomy from great powers. The central countries in those sub-domains, like France, promoted the diffusion of Maoism in an uninterrupted sphere. The case study of American Maoists demonstrated various channels of ideational diffusion, including Committee of Concerned Asian Scholars, Communist Dissenters, and the Black Partner Party. The findings suggest a relational and actor-based account on ideological diffusion and the further develop the idea of multiple domains in world polity.

Author

• Zheng Zhang, University of Wisconsin-Madison