ABSTRACT
The theoretical underpinnings of rectification were laid in Yan’an during the late 1930s and early 1940s as part of the creation of a coherent set of Party organizational norms. This doctrine underwent remarkably little development in the 1950–65 period despite a profound evolution in Mao’s overall thought. The theoretical refinement that did take place was mostly confined to Mao’s 1957 writings—especially his essay “On the Correct Handling of Contradictions among the People” which elaborated the concept of “non-antagonistic contradictions.” This development, although accompanied by a major departure in rectification methods, did not break with past doctrine. It was essentially an effort to extend well established principles to a new situation following “the victory of socialist transformation” (see Chapter 6). A far more significant impact on the rectification process grew out of Mao’s increasing preoccupation with protracted class struggle from 1959 onwards, but this did not directly alter formal rectification theory. a
