maoism: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Formal, academic, historical, political discourse.
Quick answer
What does “maoism” mean?
A political theory and communist ideology derived from the teachings and practices of Mao Zedong, emphasizing peasant-led revolution, mass mobilization, and continuous class struggle.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A political theory and communist ideology derived from the teachings and practices of Mao Zedong, emphasizing peasant-led revolution, mass mobilization, and continuous class struggle.
Used more broadly to refer to any political movement, stance, or ideology that follows the principles established by Mao Zedong, often characterized by anti-revisionism, cultural revolution, and a focus on agrarian socialism.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical or definitional differences. Pronunciation of the first vowel in 'Mao' may show slight regional variation.
Connotations
In both varieties, the term carries strong political and historical connotations linked to the Cultural Revolution, the Chinese Communist Party, and specific revolutionary strategies. It can be used neutrally in academic contexts or pejoratively in general discourse to denote dogmatic or extreme leftist views.
Frequency
Higher frequency in academic and specialist publications. In everyday language, it is a low-frequency term, equally uncommon in both BrE and AmE.
Grammar
How to Use “maoism” in a Sentence
[Maoism] + verb (spread, declined, influenced)Adjective (revolutionary, agrarian) + [Maoism][Maoism] + prepositional phrase (in Peru, of the 1960s)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “maoism” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The group's maoist rhetoric appealed to the landless peasants.
- He held strongly maoist views on cultural revolution.
American English
- The party's Maoist platform emphasized protracted people's war.
- She studied Maoist guerrilla tactics.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Almost never used. Might appear in risk analysis about political instability in certain regions.
Academic
Common in political science, history, and Asian studies departments to discuss Chinese politics, communist theory, and revolutionary movements.
Everyday
Very rare. If used, it is typically in a general discussion about politics or history.
Technical
Used as a specific classification within political theory and historiography to denote a distinct strand of communist ideology.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “maoism”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “maoism”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “maoism”
- Incorrect capitalisation (e.g., 'MaoIsm').
- Using it as a countable noun (e.g., 'a Maoism'). It is uncountable.
- Confusing it with general Chinese culture or policies not directly stemming from Mao's thought.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
As a formal state ideology, it was superseded in China by Deng Xiaoping's reforms. However, it remains influential in some revolutionary movements and as a subject of academic study.
While both are communist, Marxism traditionally focused on the industrial proletariat as the revolutionary class. Maoism adapted this to agrarian societies, emphasising the revolutionary potential of the peasantry and the concept of 'protracted people's war'.
The derived adjective is 'Maoist'. It is more common to say 'Maoist ideology' than 'Maoism ideology'.
It is derived from a proper name but is not typically capitalised in modern English usage, similar to 'marxism' or 'darwinism'. However, some older or more formal texts may capitalise it.
A political theory and communist ideology derived from the teachings and practices of Mao Zedong, emphasizing peasant-led revolution, mass mobilization, and continuous class struggle.
Maoism is usually formal, academic, historical, political discourse. in register.
Maoism: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmaʊ.ɪ.zəm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmaʊ.ɪ.zəm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'MAO' + 'ISM' - the ideology (ISM) of MAO Zedong.
Conceptual Metaphor
Ideology as a guiding path or doctrine.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'Maoism' most appropriately used?