p The development of the material world is an interminable process of the dying off of the old and the emergence of the new. The history of the Earth’s crust, for example, is the history of the formation of ever new geological structures. In the vegetable and animal kingdoms old organic forms give way to new and better ones. Just as cells are constantly regenerated in living organisms (old ones die and new ones arise) so in society too the obsolete forms of social structure die and new, progressive ones are born.

p The advanced, the new is thus constantly coming to the fore to succeed the old, and nothing can prevent this process. The invincibility of the new is the prime feature in the development of nature, society and thought.

p Marxist dialectics, however, does not regard every new phenomenon or everything that claims to be new, as truly new. Imperialist and reactionary forces, for instance, portray their economic expansion in the developing countries as a “new” policy, as assistance to their peoples. In reality this “assistance” is merely a new form of colonialism, or neocolonialism.

p The new is that which is progressive, improved and viable, which constantly grows and develops. At first the new is usually quite weak and at times hardly noticeable, while the old prevails and seems invincible. Nevertheless, the old deteriorates and dies, while the new develops and triumphs in bitter struggle against the old.

p After the Second World War the first small groups of the progressive-minded military appeared in the Ethiopian army. They were no match for the monarchy and the overwhelming majority of the military who supported it. Gradually, however, these groups gained in strength and number. On September 12, 1974, with the backing of the working masses, they deposed the Ethiopian monarch.

p Why is the new invincible?

p The new is invincible above all because it stems from the very course of development of reality and best of all corresponds to the objective conditions. Long ago, for example, plants with seeds that had no protective shell (so-called gymnospermous plants) predominated on Earth. Then new plants appeared, better adapted to the environment. Their 74 seeds were reliably protected from the vagaries of the weather and this made them greatly superior to the other species. As a result these plants ousted the older species, rapidly spread over the Earth and changed the entire appearance of its vegetation.

p The invincibility of the new is particularly apparent in social development. The new in society triumphs because it corresponds to the requirements of economic life, of material production. The socialist system is gaining the upper hand over capitalism because it provides scope for the development of the productive forces and eliminates private capitalist property, the big barrier in their way.

p The new meets the interest of the advanced, progressive classes of society and that is why they fight vigorously for its victory. Currently national democratic revolutions which are a new, progressive stage in social development, are under way in some Asian, African and Latin American countries. A revolution is in the interests of the working class, of all working people; they naturally support it and become more and more involved in it, and that is an earnest of its victory.

p The new in social development is also invincible because its social basis is constantly growing, expanding. The new, as it emerges, rallies round itself the most progressive forces of society. The world socialist system, which enjoys the support and respect of all progressive-minded people of the world, is a mighty centre of attraction for contemporary progressive forces. Its alliance with the international working-class and national liberation movement is an important factor of the invincibility of the world revolutionary process.

The invincibility of the new does not mean that its victory comes of itself, automatically. This victory must be prepared, must be doggedly fought for. The conscious activity of the people, the advanced classes, the progrssive parties plays a decisive part in the victory of the new over the old in social life.