Political power grows out of the barrel of a gun." Whose statement is this ?

Correct option is B

Mao Zedong, the founder of the People’s Republic of China and a key figure in Chinese Communism, made the statement "Political power grows out of the barrel of a gun". This quote reflects his belief in the role of armed struggle in achieving and maintaining political power, particularly in revolutionary contexts.

Key Context:

1. The statement was made during a speech at the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) Sixth Congress in 1927, reflecting the CCP's emphasis on armed rebellion against the Nationalist government.
2. Mao emphasized that military force is a critical instrument for political revolution, particularly in the context of class struggles and the overthrow of feudalism and imperialism.

This statement became a core principle of Mao's revolutionary strategy and was instrumental in guiding the Chinese Communist Party's tactics during the Chinese Civil War and the establishment of the People's Republic of China in 1949.

Key Points:

1. The quote symbolizes Mao's belief in the necessity of revolutionary violence to bring about systemic change.
2. It reflects the Marxist-Leninist principle of the proletariat using force to dismantle existing state apparatuses.

Information Booster:

• Stalin: Focused on industrialization and state control but did not emphasize the "barrel of a gun" in this sense.
• Machiavelli: Advocated for pragmatic power politics in The Prince, emphasizing cunning and strategy, but not the literal use of guns.
• Hobbes: Known for his social contract theory in Leviathan, emphasizing the necessity of a strong central authority, not armed struggle.

Additional Information:

• Mao's approach to revolution, known as Maoism, combined Marxist-Leninist principles with specific strategies for peasant-based uprisings.
• This statement has often been cited in discussions of revolutionary movements worldwide, highlighting the role of violence in political change.