Speech During Discussion of the Motion on "Proportional Representation as an Item of the Congress's Political Program"[1]

(January 29, 1924)

The current system of proportional representation is an outcome brought about by the movements of minority parties. Our Party is a revolutionary party; whatever benefits the revolution may be adopted, and whatever harms the revolution should be discarded. The proportional system is harmful to the revolutionary party, because when a minority is elected, it gains the power to sabotage the revolutionary cause, thus granting opportunities to minority factions. I am fundamentally opposed to this motion and hold that it should not be discussed and should not be put to a vote.

Although the system of proportional representation is endorsed by socialist parties, this is indeed the case when they have not yet succeeded; once they have succeeded, it is not necessarily so. This system is very harmful to the revolution itself, for by granting freedom to the opposition party, the revolutionary cause is placed in great peril.

[1] On January 29, 1924, the Kuomintang convened its National Congress to discuss the motion on "Proportional Representation as an Item of the Congress's Political Program." This resolution was not passed. This is a portion of Mao Zedong's speech at the congress.