Amendments to the United Front Work Department’s Opinions on Launching a Comprehensive Rectification Campaign Among Industrial and Commercial Circles [1] (August 18, 1957)

I. Following the high tide of socialist transformation, socialism had essentially replaced capitalism. The capitalist economy had thereby lost its previously progressive aspect and become fundamentally reactionary. Consequently, those who persisted in a capitalist stance—namely, the bourgeois rightists—who were anti-Communist and anti-socialist, had themselves become reactionaries. The contradiction between these bourgeois rightists—anti-Communist, anti-people, and anti-socialist elements, comprising both the bourgeoisie and bourgeois intellectuals—and the people is an irreconcilable, life-and-death antagonism; it is not an internal contradiction within the ranks of the people. However, they are referred to as “rightists” rather than “counter-revolutionaries” for two reasons: first, to facilitate the winning over of the middle forces; and second, to promote division within the rightist camp, thereby creating the possibility that a portion of them might be transformed. This is necessary.  Nationwide, there are approximately 100,000 rightist elements, the majority of whom are intellectuals. Some among them are indeed capable individuals and should be vigorously won over. A small minority, meanwhile, have already abandoned their capitalist position politically and shifted to the standpoint of the working class, becoming leftists. The number of leftists is increasing, in some cases reaching as high as ten percent, which is a gratifying development. Nevertheless, the middle forces still constitute the vast majority. On the one hand, to varying degrees, they tend to accept the socialist path and the leadership of the Communist Party, having taken the first step along the long journey from a capitalist to a proletarian standpoint. On the other hand, fundamentally they have not yet renounced their capitalist position. They remain reluctant and unconvinced about surrendering their enterprises, about socialism, and about the leadership of the working class and the Communist Party. They still harbor attachments to capitalism, though most do not express this openly. Nonetheless, they are wavering and capable of further progress; given another five years, they will likely advance considerably.

II. In identifying rightist elements among industrial and commercial circles, in addition to referring to the Central Committee’s approval and circulation of the United Front Work Department’s “Proposal on Criteria for Distinguishing Between the Left, the Middle, and the Right,” the primary basis for judgment should be their reactionary statements and actions since the current campaign of open criticism began, supplemented by their conduct after last year’s high-tide period. Except for a few extreme rightists who have consistently been anti-Communist and anti-people throughout history, no account should be taken of their behavior prior to the high tide. This is because, before the implementation of enterprise joint ventures, industrial and commercial circles were operating under a legal capitalist framework, and their capitalist stance was both natural and lawful. After the advent of the high tide and the subsequent nationwide introduction of joint ventures across all industries, they had indeed made a major stride toward accepting socialist transformation. To continue basing judgments on pre-high-tide conduct would be unpopular and counterproductive to winning over the majority. Moreover, this post-high-tide period has lasted little more than a year, during which many have found it difficult to effect a complete ideological shift from their old position to the new one. The struggle against the right and the rectification campaign can help the majority overcome this hurdle and make further progress. Printed according to Mao Zedong’s revised manuscript. Note [1]: The text typeset in Song typeface represents additions and revisions made by Mao Zedong.