In
On the Correct Handling of Contradictions Among the People, Mao discusses the contradictions still existing in socialist society. According to Mao:
Antagonistic contradiction Antagonistic contradiction (
Chinese language: 矛盾) is the notion that compromise between different
social classes is impossible, and their relations must be of
class struggle. The term is most often applied in
Maoist theory, which holds that differences between the two primary classes, the
working class/
proletariat and the
bourgeoisie are so great that there is no way to bring about a reconciliation of their views. Because the groups involved have diametrically opposed concerns, their objectives are so dissimilar and contradictory that no mutually acceptable resolution can be found. Nonantagonistic contradictions may be resolved through mere debate, but antagonistic contradictions can only be resolved through struggle. The term is usually attributed to
Vladimir Lenin, although he may never have actually used the term in any of his written works. In
Maoism, the antagonistic contradiction was usually that between the
peasantry and the
landowning class.
Mao Zedong expressed his views on the policy in his famous February 1957 speech "On the Correct Handling of Contradictions Among the People." The Chinese term derives from the
Han Feizi: "There was once a man in the
state of Chu, who was selling shields and lances. He was praising them saying: 'My shields are so firm, that there is nothing that can pierce them.' He praised his lances saying: 'My lances are so sharp, that there is nothing that they cannot pierce.' Someone asked: 'What if you used your lances to pierce your shields?' The man could not answer. A shield that cannot be pierced and a lance that can pierce everything cannot exist in the same world." (
Irresistible force paradox) == Impact ==