Stalinism, Maoism, and Socialism in Higher Education

This book explores the efforts to establish socialist systems of higher education in the Soviet Union and China, comparing and contrasting the approaches of Stalin and Mao. It highlights the convergence of Maoism with Stalinism in the early 1950s, the historical similarities between Stalinism and Maoism, and the eventual divergence of Maoism from Stalinism in terms of the definition of socialist society.

Format: Hardback
Length: 251 pages
Publication date: 20 November 2021
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

This comprehensive book delves into a comparative analysis of the efforts to establish socialist systems of higher education in the Soviet Union under Stalin and in China under Mao. It is structured around three central themes:

The convergence of Maoism and Stalinism in the early 1950s, leading to the transnational transplantation of the Soviet model of higher education to China.

The historical convergence between Stalinism during the First Five-Year Plan period (1928-1932) and Maoism during the Great Leap period (1958-1960), which was evident in the shared higher education policies of both the Soviet Union and China during these respective periods.

The eventual divergence of Maoism from Stalinism in terms of their definition of socialist society, which resulted in contrasting final outcomes in the Maoist and Stalinist endeavors to establish a socialist system of higher learning.

The book explores the intricate interplay between political ideologies, economic development, and educational policies, shedding light on the complex dynamics that shaped the development of higher education in these two nations. It examines the similarities and differences in the approaches taken by Stalin and Mao to achieve their socialist goals, as well as the impact of these policies on the educational systems and the lives of students and scholars.

Through a rigorous examination of primary sources, historical documents, and scholarly research, the book provides a rich and nuanced understanding of the historical and ideological context in which socialist systems of higher education were established. It offers valuable insights into the challenges and complexities faced by these two nations in their pursuit of social and economic transformation, and serves as a valuable resource for scholars and researchers interested in the history of education, socialism, and political ideologies.

Weight: 500g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030887766
Edition number: 1st ed. 2021