p Comrades, in our opinion, intensification of the anti-monopoly struggle—<and this follows from our experiences-is part of a historical process that has universal implications. For we have entered a new stage in the world-wide contest between imperialism and socialism. The stability the capitalist world acquired during the post-war boom and the unfolding technological revolution has now given way to pronounced instability. The revolutionary potential within the imperialist system has increased and manifests itself more powerfully. Imperialism’s positions have become relatively weaker. Imperialism is reshaping its global strategy in an attempt to reverse this process of change. Torn by inner contradictions, it is showing stronger aggressive and anti-democratic tendencies. And this, in turn, makes it more reckless, more adventu’ristic, and creates dangers we cannot afford to underestimate.
p In this situation, it is important to stress both the increased opportunities of the anti-imperialist forces and the increased dangers latent in the present 196 conjuncture of circumstances. The two are interconnected. The new opportunities for intensifying the anti-imperialist struggle are linked with the people’s growing understanding of the dangers inherent in imperialist policy. And these dangers are, in turn, linked with imperialism’s desperate attempts to prevent its opponents from utilising these new opportunities. This lays a vast responsibility on us in charting a common strategy that will change the course of development and prevent imperialism, on the eve of its destruction, from perpetrating its last monstrous crimes. Above all, we must prevent it from unleashing a thermonuclear war.
p Hence, it is important to avoid one-rsided interpretations. The general trend is towards strengthening the socialist forces, and from this some conclude that things are going well and in the right direction and there is no need to worry. Others see only the dangers and conclude that things are bound to take a catastrophic turn, and that the worse they get the better. The truth, however, is that both opportunities and dangers are increasing. The interconnection of the two must be especially clear to the communist movement which, at the Seventh World Congress of the Communist International, was able to give a correct appraisal of fascism as, on the one hand, "the most savage onslaught on the working class" and on the other, an expression of capitalism’s weakness. On this basis the Congress drew the correct conclusion that "fascism is a ferocious but unstable force". (I quote from Georgi Dimitrov’s report.) A onesided appraisal of the opportunities and dangers of the present situation leads to Right or “Left” opportunism.
p The role of the socialist world is crucial to an understanding of the present situation. For it is precisely the growth and strengthening of the socialist world that have created these new opportunities. Imperialist propaganda is trying hard to prevent proper appreciation of this fact. And it has achieved definite results among certain Left trends which, incidentally, owe their very origins to the existence of the socialist camp, which holds back imperialism’s onslaught. For it is socialism that is hamstringing imperialism and thus making it possible for these trends to develop.
p Consequently, explaining and highlighting the decisive role of the socialist world is a priority task for the communist movement, and its accomplishment is int the interests of all components of the anti-imperialist struggle. Needless to say, this applies above all to the role of the main force of the socialist camp, the Soviet Union. Specifically, it implies explaining the socialist world’s role in preventing world war, averting or stopping aggression, defending the independence of the peoples, winning democratic rights for the working people. But we have also to explain the laws governing the revolutionary transformation of society, which have been confirmed by socialist experience, and to demonstrate how socialism solves the new problems posed by modern social and technological development. The defence of socialism—and this is expressly formulated in the drafted Main Document—is the internationalist duty of all Communists.
p Now that there is a certain equilibrium in the military strength of the socialist and imperialist camps, the decisive battle for the orientation of world development is being waged in the ideological field. And ideological struggle is today 197 more important’than ever before. Any advantage in moulding mass thinking might well prove decisive. It could decide whether the forces of war or the forces of peace, socialism or capitalism, will at the critical moment determine the course of events.
p This raises clear problems for the Communist Parties in pursuance of their common aims in the struggle to refashion society on the basis of their common Marxist-Leninist ideology. Many problems have a common relevance for all peoples. We must step up the offensive against bourgeois attempts to sow ideological confusion and doubts about the possibility of achieving the peoples’ vital interests and social ideals. There is need for considerable improvement of our information in promoting peace and socialism in order to overcome the high-pressure, and often subtle, misinformation disseminated by the monopolies. Another important need is for a more tense struggle on the theoretical front, more profound and effective criticism of the new-fangled theories that serve the bourgeoisie. Similarly, we should creatively develop the theory of socialism, tackle the new problems that arise in the course of social development and struggle. The communist movement, we feel, can do much more than it has been doing. We must be fully on a par with the requirements of our time, find positive answers to questions agitating people’s minds, and support all useful initiatives.
However, it is also important for the Communist Parties purposefully to orient their discussion and mutual co-operation on strengthening their ideological unity on the basis of Marxism-Leninism. It would be wrong to exclude ideological problems from inter-Party co-operation. That would be tantamount. to a retreat from reality, since all the problems with which we have to contend are intimately associated with ideological issues. And any retreat from ideological issues would be contrary to the very nature’ of the communist movement, founded as it is primarily on community of ideological views. Closer ideological unity necessitates responsible discussion. And there are many opportunities for this—theoretical conferences, systematic use of Problems of Peace and Socialism as a forum for exchanging views. The Lenin centenary should be made the occasion for more extensive ideological work.
Notes