The Golden Rule of Marxism-Leninism: Hate Thy Neighbour
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
The Golden Rule of Marxism-Leninism: Hate Thy Neighbour An Analysis of the Relationship between the Two Norwegian Self-Proclaimed Marxist-Leninist Parties, AKP and NKP, between 1973 and 1979 Ferdinand Eide Rode Master’s Thesis in Peace and Conflict Studies, Department of Archaeology, Conservation and History UNIVERSITY OF OSLO Spring 2019 The Golden Rule of Marxism-Leninism: Hate Thy Neighbour — An Analysis of the Relationship between the Two Norwegian Self-Proclaimed Marxist-Leninist Parties, AKP and NKP, between 1973 and 1979 I © Ferdinand Eide Rode 2019 The Golden Rule of Marxism-Leninism: Hate Thy Neighbour Ferdinand Eide Rode http://www.duo.uio.no/ Print: Reprosentralen, University of Oslo Word count: 34 901 II Abstract Why did the relationship between AKP and NKP grow so hostile during the 1970s? How could two self-proclaimed Marxist-Leninist parties develop such tension and hate for one another and find it natural to claim that the other was a fascist party? This thesis examines the relationship between the two Norwegian parties, AKP and NKP, between 1973 and 1979 by analysing their attitude towards each other represented in material meant for both internal and external use. The thesis approaches the relation on three levels: regarding domestic issues, international issues and ideological differences. It furthermore points to the ideological differences of the parties, with NKP being a part of the Soviet-communism and AKP a part of the Maoist movement, as the underlying factor for why the relationship grew hostile during the seventies. The year 1975 stands out as a special year for the relationship as both parties consolidated ideologically, tightening its bond to respectively China and the Soviet Union. The ideological consolidation had ripple effects on how AKP and NKP perceived different issues, both at the domestic and international level. Even though AKP continued to be formally tied to the Chinese Communist Party until 1989, the party lost attraction to AKP at the end of the seventies as a result of problems within the Maoist movement, which again led to internal problems for AKP. In turn, this was one factor for why the relationship between AKP and NKP became less hostile at the end of the seventies as both parties either lacked or were reluctant to use energy on the other party after several years of hysteria between them. III IV Acknowledgements Several people have helped me in different ways with this thesis and therefore deserves to be thanked. First, I want to thank my supervisor Øystein Sørensen for enlightening conversations and discussions about the left-wing parties in addition to thorough guidance. Sørensen has shared his knowledge and made this whole process much more manageable than expected. Second, I want to thank the whole PECOS gang for many quizzes and tons of chess games in the common room. Thank you to Fride, Ingeborg and Sofia, for reviewing my thesis, correcting all my English flaws. Third, I want to thank my parents for supporting, helping and cheering me on. Fourth, I want to thank Arsenal Football Club for re-orienting my frustration from the thesis to football this semester. Nevertheless, Arsenal-games has been something to look forward to in a stressful period. And last, a big thank you to Vilde for your help and support! You have made it possible to focus entirely on this thesis and have carried my weight of house-duties. I owe you more than you can imagine! All errors are mine, Ferdinand Eide Rode, May 2019 V VI Table of contents 1 Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Background information .................................................................................................. 4 1.1.1 The parties ................................................................................................................. 4 1.1.2 International influence .............................................................................................. 6 1.2 Scholarly literature .......................................................................................................... 8 1.2.1 NKP ........................................................................................................................... 8 1.2.2 AKP ............................................................................................................................ 9 1.2.3 The relationship between AKP and NKP ................................................................ 10 1.3 Sources ........................................................................................................................... 12 1.4 Methodological considerations ....................................................................................... 13 1.5 Outline of the thesis ....................................................................................................... 16 2 1973-1974: “Now, comrades, which side are you on?” ................................................ 17 2.1 AKP’s memorandum and the following meeting with NKP .......................................... 18 2.2 Denial of AKP participation in leftist cooperation ........................................................ 20 2.3 “In a revolution, the pacifist-socialists end up in the churchyard.” .............................. 22 2.4 The problem of the Soviet Union ................................................................................... 25 2.5 May Day, May Day – Marching towards a collision ...................................................... 28 2.6 Revisionism and reactionary behaviour ........................................................................ 33 2.7 Summary ........................................................................................................................ 35 3 1975-1976: From cooperation to isolation ..................................................................... 37 3.1 Internal revision ............................................................................................................. 37 3.1.1 Tron Øgrim’s ‘Theses of right deviation.’ ................................................................ 37 3.1.2 Godager’s manuscript on how to handle AKP ......................................................... 40 3.2 The SV-project: From fusion to collision ........................................................................ 42 3.3 Mutual Criticism ............................................................................................................ 44 3.4 Strikes, demonstrations and a most likely world war................................................... 49 3.5 Monumental disagreement ............................................................................................ 53 3.6 Summary ........................................................................................................................ 56 4 Late 1976-1979: On rough terrain ................................................................................... 57 VII 4.1 Mao’s death, the Gang of Four and the Sino-Albanian split ......................................... 58 4.2 Southeast Asia ............................................................................................................... 61 4.3 Red letter days: annoyance, frustration and violent meetings ..................................... 65 4.3.1 21 August ................................................................................................................. 65 4.3.2 Elections ................................................................................................................... 66 4.3.3 International Women’s Day – 8 March. ................................................................... 67 4.3.4 International Labour Day – 1 May .......................................................................... 68 4.3.5 The Norwegian National Day – 17 May .................................................................. 70 4.4 Surveillance, proletarianisation and common accusations ........................................... 71 4.5 Third world war, armed revolution and Afghanistan ................................................... 74 4.6 The Iranian revolution ................................................................................................... 76 4.7 Summary ........................................................................................................................ 77 5 What factors can explain how the relationship unfolded? ....................................... 79 5.1 Domestic level ................................................................................................................ 80 5.1.1 From competitors to enemies ................................................................................... 80 5.1.2 Right and wrongs on red letter days ....................................................................... 83 5.2 International politics ...................................................................................................... 84 5.2.1 Solidarity movements .............................................................................................. 86 5.3 Party characteristics ...................................................................................................... 87 5.3.1 Ideology – It is my way or no way ............................................................................ 87 5.3.2 Revolution is the solution, and war is coming. ......................................................