An Attempt to Discuss "Antagonism" and "Antagonistic Contradictions"

Shan Hong [山虹]

Philosophical Research [哲学研究 ], 1957, no. 2, pp. 128 - 132.

This unusual article raises important questions about the conventional explanations of so- called “non-antagonistic” contradictions. The author, whose name appears to be pseudonym, defines an “antagonistic contradiction” as a one in which “the two sides do not give in and do not compromise,” not merely a contradiction in which the two sides show antagonism at some time or other. He claims that this uncompromising character of an antagonistic contradiction is pre- sent in a contradiction in which “both sides are predetermined to take on an antagonistic form of struggle in order to be resolved.” He admits that a contradiction can change from an antagonis- tic to a non-antagonistic character, or vice-versa, but this change involves a much more funda- mental and less frequent change in a contradiction than merely displaying or not displaying an- tagonism.

This article's aim is to inquire briefly relation of the forms of struggle which they into the following questions: What is an "an- inevitably take on. tagonistic contradiction?" Are "antagonistic I think that "antagonistic contradic- contradiction" and "antagonism" the same tion" and "antagonism" are two different but concepts or not? If they are not, then what closely related concepts. "Antagonism" con- kind of relationship is there between them? cerns a scientific generalization about the How can an antagonistic contradiction trans- form of struggle of one kind of contradiction. form into a non-antagonistic contradiction? In the natural or social realm, we can always catch sight of the existence of some contra- ONE dictions in which an external form of conflict arises at the time of their final resolution. "Antagonism" is one kind of form of Appearances of this kind of external conflict the struggle of a contradiction---the form of are quite varied, and each is different. There external conflict. This form of struggle mainly are bomb explosions and eruptions of vol- indicates the form which the contradiction canoes, and there are also armed uprisings takes on at the time of its final resolution. and wars that last a comparatively long time. [Mao Zedong's] "On Contradiction" points Even though these differ in a thousand ways, out, in class opposition society, "...it is nec- however, they still have a common charac- essary that in the development of the con- teristic, and this is precisely external conflict. tradiction of two classes up to a certain The concept of "antagonism" is only formed stage, both sides take on an external an- by giving a scientific generalization about tagonistic form, and develop into revolution." these various different phenomena which Certainly in the process of development of have the common characteristic of an exter- some contradictions, external conflict can nally conflicting form of struggle of a contra- also arise many times, and this is also "an- diction. "Antagonism" merely indicates a tagonism." Nevertheless we should begin to characteristic of one kind of form of struggle examine these contradictions with regard to of a contradiction, not what determines the the period of their final resolution and the content of this kind of struggle form.

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If it is said that "antagonism" is a re- sides do not give in and do not compromise. flection of one kind of form of struggle of a This kind of contradiction contains the fol- contradiction [and not what determines the lowing real possibility (or maximum possibil- content of this form of struggle], then "an- ity): its final resolution must pass through tagonistic contradiction" reflects the content the form of external conflict. Some antago- of those contradictions which inevitably take nistic contradictions also must pass through on an antagonistic form to obtain final reso- many external conflicts in order to be finally lution. "Antagonistic contradiction" and "an- resolved. tagonism" are related as content to form, The two sides of an antagonistic con- and the former determines the latter; there is tradiction therefore do not give in and do not a close, inseparable relation between them, compromise because it is a condition of this but their distinction must not be obscured. It contradiction's existence, which is deter- is like the relation of use value and ex- mined by the characteristics of both sides of change value. If there were no exchange the contradiction, the relation between them, value then value would not exist. If the final and other factors. For example, a chick is period of resolution did not take on an an- situated in an eggshell. On one side, the tagonistic form, then antagonistic contradic- chick depends on the eggshell, and on the tions also would not exist. other side, at a certain period of time it "Antagonistic contradiction" is an needs to break through the eggshell. If not, it equally scientific concept, but is not a syno- cannot develop and cannot live. As for the nym for "class exploitation." Since the natu- eggshell itself, on one side it sets up a pro- ral and social domains always have a num- tection of the chick's life, and the other side, ber of contradictions which take on an ex- it also sets up restrictions which affect the ternal, antagonistic form of struggle at the chick's development. Neither side of the moment of final resolution [but do not have contradiction concedes to the other or class exploitation], why must they take on compromises with the other. In this kind of struggle form and not another contradictions like this, the initial stage struggle form in order to be able to strive for moves toward a zone which has an resolution? Certainly, it is necessary took for antagonistic character, because its their inherent causes. The specific [129] resolution must include the real possibility of causes corresponding to the complex con- taking on an antagonistic form. Under tent of contradictions in the natural, social, certain conditions, the chick breaks the shell and intellectual realms are not the same. and comes out, and the contradiction is However they also have a common charac- finally resolved. Also inside class society, for teristic; as a result of a scientific generaliza- instance, in the contradiction between ex- tion, this kind of common characteristic re- ploiting and exploited classes, in the initial sults in a scientific concept, which is pre- stage, both sides of a contradiction move cisely the concept of "antagonistic contra- toward the obvious occurrence of un- diction". compromising and non-conceding qualities. Now we must go a step further and Under normal circumstances, the final reso- study what is the content of "antagonistic lution of this kind of contradiction, only exists contradiction." In other words, we need to by taking on the real possibility of an an- study just how a contradiction can be an an- tagonistic form. This certainly has something tagonistic contradiction. I think that a so- to do with the opposite basic interests of the called "antagonistic contradiction", is pre- two sides of the contradiction, but in the cisely a struggle of both sides of some study of this sense of "antagonistic contra- thing's internal contradiction in which the two diction," the more important aspect is that the mass of laboring people absolutely will 2

not willingly endure exploitation and oppres- class contradiction in new conditions of final sion without rising up in revolution, and the resolution. exploiting class absolutely will not surrender For example, in the epoch of bour- unconditionally to the laboring people. geois revolution, some countries took up the This is what must still be explained: form of armed struggle and abolished the an antagonistic contradiction depends on a feudal system. Can this be the opposition of certain condition and this condition makes it the basic interests of the capitalist class and take on the real possibility of an antagonistic landlord class or not? If it can be explained form of resolution of the contradiction; but if this way, then how is it to be explained that this kind real possibility requires having a some countries also have not taken up the change into external conflict, then new con- form of armed struggle, because they have ditions must still arise. For example, for a adopted more or less improved forms of bomb explosion, an ignition condition must resolution of contradictions? arise and for a war to break out, the condi- Again, war inevitably erupts between tion that political struggle turn white hot must imperialists. Certainly, regardless of new emerge. In normal circumstances, however, conditions which may not have appeared the emergence of this kind of condition is before, contradictions between them also inevitable and cannot be avoided, therefore must undergo warfare in order to become this kind of possibility can be real possibility. resolved. In that case, aren't the class inter- Antagonistic contradiction is absolutely not ests between each imperialist group to be explained as always in a condition of basically opposed but still basically identical? external conflict. Naturally, in the process of Are all their contradictions antagonistic and development of an antagonistic contradiction, also non-antagonistic? another kind of condition can also appear, Next we consider briefly whether the which sufficiently changes the characteris- formulation that antagonistic contradictions tics or relationship of the two sides of the are "contradictions of basically opposed contradiction, and then an antagonistic con- class interests," is suitable even for class tradiction is transformed into its opposite. contradictions. Maintaining the comrades' formula- TWO tion mentioned above encounters the prob- lem of the contradiction of the working class Some comrades have concluded that and national bourgeoisie during China's an "antagonistic contradiction" is a "contra- transition period, admitting that its final reso- diction in which the basic interests of both lution adopts a non-antagonistic form, but sides cannot be mediated," or they simply still not admitting that the content (or quality) say the result is "a contradiction of basically of the contradiction appeared to change. opposed class interests." This kind of formu- Their formulation is: "under certain condi- lation obviously cannot be generalized to tions antagonistic contradictions can adopt a natural phenomena, thus it cannot be re- non-antagonistic form of resolution." I think garded as a scientific definition of "antago- this kind of formulation is cannot stand. This nistic contradiction." Furthermore, this kind is because: First, in the final analysis, the of formulation also is not fully suited to social form is determined by the content, [130] and phenomena. Because this generalization the antagonistic nature of a contradiction de- does not include the internal contradiction termine that its final resolution inevitably and struggle of exploiting classes, it also adopts and antagonistic form. If the nature does not include the diversity of forms of of a contradiction and the form of struggle which it is adopts were completely sepa- 3

rated, and the nature of the contradiction did antagonistic, then what will determine this? not give rise to any determinate effect, then It is obviously determined by the non- this in logic obviously would not make sense. antagonistic nature of this kind of contradic- The reply will be that the form of struggle of tion. a real contradiction can change under "spe- Second, suppose one says that an cific conditions." But certainly it is necessary antagonistic contradiction can adopt a non- to concretely analyze what kind of conditions antagonistic form of final resolution; certainly these so-called "specific conditions" and de- in another situation it can also be said that a termine whether or not this kind of condition non-antagonistic contradiction can take on only appears to influence forms of struggle an antagonistic form of final resolution. Pro- and cannot actually change the quality of the ceeding this way, isn't the scientific predic- contradiction. Suppose the apparent condi- tive character of Marxism abolished for this tion is this kind of condition: it not only influ- question? If, when facing one type of con- ences the form of struggle, but it above all tradiction, we still do not know what form of influences the content of the contradiction, struggle its final resolution will take on, then influences the position of both sides of the we have to "submit to the will of heaven", contradiction, makes one side of the and sink into the realm of chance! contradiction able to direct the other to The purpose of the study of the na- surrender peacefully. Suppose, however, ture of contradictions is involved here. Con- that the condition in which both sides of the tradictions are studied in order to unmask contradiction do not concede to each other contradictions and resolve contradictions, and do not compromise with each other and the quality of contradictions is studied in does not already exist, it would it thus be order to expose this kind of quality, to pro- decided that at the time of final resolution vide in advance the form of struggle which this contradiction would also be obliged to this kind of contradiction can inevitably take adopt a non-antagonistic form? In that case on at the time of its final resolution, and thus could it be said that the quality of the tell us that there is adequate preparation, lay contradiction appeared to change? I think down policies in accord with objective reality, this can be completely explained like this. In promote the resolution of contradictions. "On Contradiction," Chairman Mao was able In "On Contradiction," Chairman Mao to speak clearly about this point: pointed out that to know the status of an- "Contradiction and struggle are universal tagonism in a contradiction is extremely im- and absolute, but methods of resolution of portant, and "it makes us understand that in contradiction and even forms of struggle, class society, revolution and revolutionary because of the quality of the contradiction, war is unavoidable. If this is abandoned, are thus different and not identical. Some then leaps of social development cannot be contradictions possess open antagonism, accomplished, reactionary ruling classes some contradictions then are not of this cannot be overturned to enable people win type" (emphasis added by the author). I political power." It is very clear that we rec- think that what is called here "open ognize the antagonistic contradictions of antagonism" just indicates the quality that class society precisely in order to persist in both sides of the contradiction do not con- the Marxist-Leninist theory of social revolu- cede to each other and do not compromise tion (in normal circumstances, to use vio- with each other, which alone can decide the lence to seize political power), prevent re- final "method of resolution of the contradic- formist attacks, and finally resolve of this tion" or "form of struggle." On the other hand, kind of antagonistic contradiction. The quali- if the method of final resolution and form of ties of contradictions are definitely not stud- struggle of one kind of contradiction is non- 4

ied just in order to study the qualities of con- Certainly this is not to say that the tradictions. If we regard some kind of con- method of regarding "a contradiction whose tradiction (perhaps a class contradiction) as two sides are basically opposed interests" already destined to adopt a non-antagonistic as the content of an antagonistic contradic- form when resolution occurs, but we still tion is completely incorrect. If this kind of stubbornly insist that this kind of contradic- formulation were only used for the contradic- tion is antagonistic, then this makes a big tion of exploiter and exploited classes, it departure from the aim of the study of the would be correct. Both sides of the contra- quality of contradictions, and thus makes it diction of exploiter and exploited classes fre- lose any meaning. quently show the refusal to concede or The question of the methods of study compromise, but one factor of both sides is also involved here. All abstract scientific refusing to concede or compromise is pre- concepts emerge from and summarize a cisely basic opposition of class interest. But large number of different phenomenon of this point cannot be regarded as the only objective things which differ and but are factor. In the study of this issue of antago- identical in essence. These concepts should nistic contradiction it will be said that if a yield concepts that conform to the reality of change in the balance of class power can things, but should not make reality agree give rise to one of the two sides of a contra- grudgingly with a predetermined concept. diction [131] making a concession toward We cannot prefabricate a concept (no matter the other side, this constitutes a basic char- whether it is scientific or not) and then ar- acter and can be a very important condition. range things in order and force them inside Once this condition appears, the real possi- the circle of this concept; what conforms will bility taking on an antagonistic form of final remain, but what does not conform will be resolution of the contradiction can disappear. got rid of. Regarding "basically opposed Even though two class interests still are ba- class interests" as the definition of the con- sically opposed, the quality of the contradic- cept of antagonistic contradiction is just like tion changes. this: natural phenomena are not about so- This shows that although regarding called social classes and do not correspond an antagonistic contradiction as "a contra- with this framework, which is only left aside diction of basically opposed class interests," in any case. Contradictions between imperi- is partly true, its narrow and one-sided char- alists do not conform to this framework, and acter is also revealed, and it is shown to be are also an exception. The contradiction of an artificial, rigid, unscientific concept. To China's working class and capitalist class use it come study the quality of a contradic- does conform to this framework and leads to tion would inevitably run into a stone wall. a conclusion about antagonistic contradic- Some comrades say that to recognize tions, but as to the form of struggle which a condition under which the contradiction of the final resolution of these contradictions the working class and the capitalist class is take on, another theory is also needed, and regarded as non-antagonistic contradiction so forth. I think that this kind of procedure would obscure the distinction between cannot be called a scientific method. For the worker-peasant contradictions and labor- correct scientific study of the question, it is capital contradictions. I also think this kind necessary first to return for a second time to approach is untenable. Worker-peasant con- investigate the true content of the concept of tradictions and labor-capital contradictions antagonistic contradiction. Without the cor- have an essential distinction, which is pre- rect concept, thought will sink into confusion. cisely the distinction of basically identical versus basically opposed class interests, but 5

this is not the distinction between antagonis- mation depends on certain natural and so- tic and non-antagonistic contradictions." cial conditions. Once new conditions appear, Antagonistic contradiction" only indi- they give rise to changes in the positions cates a kind of contradiction of things in and relations of both sides of a contradiction, which both sides are predetermined to take and it also becomes possible to change the on an antagonistic form of struggle in order quality of the contradiction. As examples of to be resolved, and it cannot indicate the antagonistic contradictions changing into specific character of "antagonism." The non-antagonistic contradictions we cite: in various specific characteristics of contradic- the capitalist system, contradictions of the tions should not all be included in the two forces of production and the relations of concepts of "antagonism" and "non- production, production and waste, city and antagonism." For example, under China's village, mental labor and physical labor, ex- present conditions, the forms of struggle of change value and use value, etc., all contra- worker-peasant contradictions and labor- dictions which contain a real possibility that capital contradictions have many specific their final resolution must take on an an- points of difference, but have one point of tagonistic form. Therefore, these contradic- identity, which is that these two groups of tions all are antagonistic contradictions. The contradictions both specifically take on non- quality of these contradictions depends on antagonistic forms to obtain resolution. social conditions which are capitalist institu- If the above-mentioned approach is to tions (there are some which depend for their be tenable, then we also can ask the ques- existence on any exploitative system). If this tions: can our country's current labor-capital condition happened to change, for example, contradictions and the contradictions of the by establishing a New Democratic or social- working class and the popular masses of the ist system, then, even though contradictions whole nation before liberation with imperial- still exist in these things themselves, an- ism, feudalism, and bureaucrat capitalism, tagonism would then disappear. Antagonis- all be regarded as antagonistic contradic- tic contradictions transform into non- tions? Can it be said that the distinction be- antagonistic contradictions. tween the two groups of contradictions is We can also say this about class con- obscured and can it be said that we treat tradictions. The quality of class contradic- contradictions with the national bourgeoisie tions likewise depends on certain social and with imperialism, feudalism, and bu- conditions. In the general situation, class reaucrat capitalism as having to take on contradictions are antagonistic contradic- completely identical forms of struggle? tions, and this is because those depending on someone else for their existence are an THREE exploiting class, which occupies the ruling position of the social system. If major Antagonistic contradictions and non- changes were to happen to this system, how antagonistic contradictions can transform could the quality of its contradictions be ab- into each other, but that is not to say that solutely unchangeable? they must do so. Some qualities of contra- Certainly, a change in objective con- dictions basically cannot change. For exam- ditions does not always necessarily give rise ple, the certainty of death will be explained to a change in the quality of a contradiction as the final resolution of a contradiction in a (for example, after the liberation of the whole person's physiology. country, the contradiction of the peasantry But many qualities of contradictions, and landlord class still has an antagonistic however, can change. This kind of transfor- form of resolution), because of its insufficient 6

application to some kind of contradiction to that a class contradiction cannot transform produce the real possibility of peaceful reso- into the opposite of what is expected? lution. It cannot be denied, however, that ob- In brief, the fact that antagonistic con- jective conditions change the quality of a tradictions can be transformed into non- contradiction, a change which gives rise to antagonistic contradictions just means that decisive action. The important issue is the the final resolution of this kind of contradic- concrete analysis of the quality of every kind tion appeared to have a real possibility of of contradiction and finding the real possibili- taking on an antagonistic form but this origi- ties which are contained inside it. nal real possibility of taking on an antagonis- Some people think that for class con- tic form of resolution tends to disappear. tradictions, an antagonistic contradiction Some people say that a contradiction must be eliminated and cannot be trans- undergoes antagonism several times before formed. I think that this kind of view is a bit it can obtain final resolution, and say that the too absolute. It is true that in past history, result is that antagonism and non- class contradictions transforming and turn- antagonism frequently change. Today if a ing into non-antagonistic contradictions is contradiction's struggle takes on an antago- rare, and from now on, this kind of situation nistic form, then it will be said that this kind is also unlikely to be a universal phenome- of contradiction is antagonistic; if in the fu- non. But I'm afraid it is wrong not to consider ture the contradiction's struggle takes on a changes in the international situation, not to non-antagonistic form, then it will be said consider changes in the social condition of that this kind of contradiction turned into a every country, not to consider internal oppo- non-antagonistic contradiction. This way of site classes that a country possesses and understanding the transformation of a con- the change of the characteristics and rela- tradiction is one kind of view. It not only con- tions between them, but seize on one obsti- fuses form and content, but it drops the de- nate formula. I want to construct a similar termination of form by content into a quag- but not very precise analogy (because a mire. class contradiction is exactly like a class I think that one kind of contradiction is contradiction, but not all analogous cases antagonistic or non-antagonistic, depending can be exactly like a class contradiction): in on the real possibility of the form of struggle the past in our country, it was necessary to that it takes at the time of resolution. As for say that between the parties that represent the process of development of contradic- the interests and thought of the national tions, the influence of a certain number of bourgeoisie and the CPC there existed an conditions can make an antagonistic contra- [132] antagonistic contradiction. But in the diction take on a non-antagonistic form of present, perhaps we will arrive at a socialist struggle, and can also make a non- society after many years, and these party antagonistic contradiction take on an an- groups will still exist and have coexisted with tagonistic form. the CPC over a long period of time. Could it As an example of the former kind of then still be said that their contradiction with transformation, consider that in the capitalist the CPC remains antagonistic? I think it is system, contradictions of the working class unlikely anyone will admit that this is an an- and capitalist class are generally all antago- tagonistic contradiction. That is just to say nistic. Besides the form of external antago- that if the quality of this kind of contradiction, nism inevitably taken on in final resolution of which is similar to a class contradiction, can this contradiction, external antagonism also also change along with change and trans- frequently appears in the process of the de- formation of social conditions, then why is it velopment of these contradictions. But it cer- 7

tainly cannot be said that this kind of exter- this should also be appraised. For example, nal antagonism occurs every day. After an if in one kind of non-antagonistic contradic- economic crisis there can be a recovery, a tion, because of the influence of objective prosperous stage, and after a strike struggle conditions, an antagonistic form frequently is over, there can be a period of return to erupts, then this can give rise to a transfor- work. During this time the contradiction mation of the quality of the contradiction. Al- takes on a non-antagonistic form. This ap- though this issue has a fairly obvious pearance of this kind of form is determined connection to the subject of this essay, by many objective conditions. The question detailed additional study of it cannot be is whether these objective conditions are in- given here. sufficient to change the position and rela- If the final resolution of one kind of tionship of the two sides of the contradiction, contradiction is regarded as having lost the and insufficient to form the real possibility possibility of taking on external antagonism, that one kind of final resolution of the that does not at all exclude its simultane- contradiction takes on a non-antagonistic ously having additional possibilities. These form. Therefore, the appearance of this kind latter possibilities, however, are not real of non-antagonistic form is brewing a more possibilities (they are comparatively small or serious antagonism. very small), and are hardly the possibility of As an example of the latter kind of an inevitable need to change. If Marx long transformation, consider the circumstance ago pointed to the picture of the powerful that the master class is in power, and a nation of Great Britain, which had the possi- peasant disturbance can take place in part bility of the peaceful surrender of the capital- of a region. The contradiction of the working ist class to the proletariat, this kind of possi- class and the peasantry is non-antagonistic, bility is still not real possibility. He only re- but the emergence of a certain number of garded the British working class as having objective conditions, give rise to partial, the capacity to become big and powerful temporary, external antagonism. The ques- enough to bring the capitalist class under tion is whether this kind of partial, temporary control, and if condition emerge later that external antagonism could not possibly show the intention of the British capitalist change the quality of the contradiction and class also showed the emergence of condi- could not form the real possibility that it will tions producing the intention to surrender take on an antagonistic form in the period of peacefully, this kind of possibility can its final resolution. change into a real possibility. At the present It follows from this, I think, that for time in Britain there is still a real possibility every kind of contradiction in which the that the contradiction of the working class process of its development takes on various and the capitalist class will take on an an- forms of struggle, its relation to the real pos- tagonistic form of final resolution. It still can sibility of taking on a form of struggle in the happen that after our country's war of resis- period the final resolution should be exam- tance against Japan, we will continue to ined, its relation to the quality of the contra- preserve the existing unified condition and diction must also be examined. The objec- avoid the possibility of civil war between our tive conditions for taking on this or that kind party and the KMT reactionary group. The of struggle form must be concretely ana- party expended a major effort in striving for lyzed, but not there is no need to be con- this change into the loss of one possible as- fused by forms of struggle. pect. But at that time a real possibility of a As for the reaction of the form of civil war crisis was increasingly aggravated struggle to the content of a contradiction, (finally Chang Kai-Shek tore up the armistice 8

agreement, and started a nation-wide civil war against the people), and took on an an- tagonistic form to resolve this contradiction. Mainly because of this, therefore, the two types of contradictions mentioned above were both antagonistic contradictions at that time.

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