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p Peaceful coexistence does not spread to ideology because the ideology of communism cannot be reconciled with that of capitalism. The former is the ideology of the proletariat, of the working people, and its purpose is to show that the triumph of socialism and communism is inevitable, indicate the ways and means of achieving this triumph, reveal the essence of the new society and demonstrate its advantages and potentialities. For its part bourgeois ideology strives to prove that private ownership and exploitation are perpetual and immutable.

p In spite of what bourgeois ideologists say, the ideological struggle is no invention of the Communists. It has been waged ever since the birth of private ownership and classes, and will be waged as long as antagonistic classes exist.

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p Socialism is gaining the upper hand against capitalism, and the clash between communist and bourgeois ideology mirrors this struggle in people’s minds.

p Communists firmly believe that their ideology will ultimately triumph, for the course of present-day developments demonstrates its strength and vitality.

p The attractive force of communist ideas in all parts of our planet is due to the fact that they conform with the requirements of mankind’s development and with the most urgent interests of people. This is now admitted even by non-Marxists. “Marxism,” writes the noted French philosopher and author Jean-Paul Sartre, “is the only ideology that fits in with our times and with the development of present-day history.” This upsets the assertions of imperialist ideologists that communist ideas are instilled from without.

p In the capitalist world one frequently hears that the opposing ideologies should be reconciled and the ideological struggle stopped. The argument of these “peace-makers” is that since countries with different social systems can coexist peacefully, this coexistence could be spread to the ideological sphere as well. From their point of view the ideological struggle is incompatible with peaceful coexistence and therefore it should be cut short.

p In reality, however, the ideological struggle does not in any way clash with peaceful coexistence. The peaceful relations between the Soviet Union and Finland, Afghanistan, India and other capitalist countries, founded on mutual respect and friendship, eloquently demonstrate that ideological differences are no hindrance to peace and peaceful coexistence.

p Peaceful coexistence is the most profoundly humane and the most reasonable principle of relations between countries. Communists regard the defence of this principle against the adversaries of peace and peaceful coexistence, against the advocates of the cold war and international tension as one of their most pressing tasks.

p The attempts to halt the ideological struggle are doomed to failure. There can be no peace between communist and bourgeois ideas in the same way as there can be no peace between the classes whose interests are mirrored by these ideas. For Communists peace in the ideological sphere 147 would amount to renunciation of the basic principles of Marxism-Leninism, of the fundamental interests of the proletariat and all working people. This is absolutely inconceivable. Neither are the bourgeois ideologists, despite their talk about ideological peace, inclined to give up their ideological principles. This is seen from their efforts to obstruct the spread of communist ideas and counteract the influence of these ideas over the masses. Their appeals for ideological peace should, therefore, not be taken seriously. They are really appeals for capitulation to their own ideology, to which Marxists, naturally, will never agree.

p Another reason why any attempt to hinder the ideological struggle, let alone halt it, is pointless is that ideas influence people in their own way and there are laws governing their dissemination. State frontiers do not exist for them and they are not deterred by military bases or nuclear submarines. If they are sincere and fit in with the vital interests of people they imperceptibly capture their minds and hearts.

p The ideological struggle has nothing in common with “psychological warfare”, whose purpose is to stir people’s emotions, to awaken ugly feelings of desperation, fear, egoism, distrust and hatred. The proponents of “ psychological warfare" concentrate on intimidating people with the imaginary threat of attack by socialist countries and fanning military psychosis and nuclear hysteria. The ideological struggle, on the other hand, implies explanation and persuasion, an appeal to human intelligence. This appeal must be free of twisted facts, of distortions of the adversary’s policies and objectives, of slander and mutual calumny, of the fanning of pernicious aspirations, passions and emotions. This is a struggle for the minds and hearts of people, a struggle without the use of any force at all, let alone arms. For this struggle there is no need either for an arms race or for tension between states.

The ideological struggle fully harmonises with peaceful coexistence and does not hinder the economic competition between socialist and capitalist countries or scientific and technical exchanges and cultural relations between them. Firmly convinced of the advantages of the socialist system and of its ultimate triumph, Communists do not conceal their shortcomings, which they persevere in rectifying. They 148 support the ideological struggle, for they believe in the righteousness of their cause, of their ideological principles.