The Principal Contradiction: Applying Dialectical Materialism
Rev Left Radio
Breht O'Shea
4.8 • 3.6K Ratings
🗓️ 18 September 2020
⏱️ 84 minutes
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Summary
Torkil Lauesen joins Breht to discuss his newest book "The Principal Contradiction". In this discussion, Torkil and Breht discuss dialectical materialism, how it is applied in real world situations, and the role that contradiction plays in it all.
In the 1970s and 80s, Torkil Lauesen was a member of a clandestine communist cell which carried out a series of robberies in Denmark, netting very large sums which were then sent on to various national liberation movements in the Third World. Following their capture in 1989, Torkil would spend six years in prison. While incarcerated, he was involved in prison activism and received a Masters degree in political science. He is currently a member of International Forum, an anti-imperialist organization based in Denmark.
Find more of his writings HERE
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Outro Music: 'Dripping Sun' by Kikagaku Moyo
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | The Principle Contradiction |
| 0:02.6 | Around the year 1500, we can observe the beginnings of an all-encompassing world system. |
| 0:07.8 | By the year 1900, it was well established due to global trade and colonialism. |
| 0:12.6 | This global capitalism entailed a global division of labor, which became ever more pronounced |
| 0:17.5 | over this centuries. |
| 0:19.1 | If we look at the development of the capitalist world system, we find a single contradiction |
| 0:23.1 | at each of its stages, always pushing it toward the next. |
| 0:26.7 | We call this contradiction the Principle Contradiction, as it affects all others. |
| 0:31.2 | It is therefore important when developing political and strategic analysis to determine the world's |
| 0:36.5 | Principle Contradiction and its aspects. |
| 0:38.8 | How things develop is primarily determined by the dominant aspect in the contradiction. |
| 0:43.9 | Like everything else, the Principle Contradiction changes during the course of history. |
| 0:48.1 | Furthermore, the relationship between the Principle Contradiction and other contradictions |
| 0:52.2 | is not one-sided. |
| 0:53.9 | In particular, or local contradictions, always affect the Principle Contradiction as well. |
| 0:58.5 | They can give it decisive pushes and change the power relations between its aspects. |
| 1:03.0 | Mao had the following to say about the Principle Contradiction. |
| 1:06.0 | Quote. |
| 1:07.0 | If, in any process, there are a number of contradictions, one of them must be the Principle Contradiction |
| 1:12.7 | playing the leading and decisive role, while the rest occupy a secondary and subordinate |
| 1:17.9 | position. |
| 1:18.9 | Therefore, in studying any complex process in which there are two or more contradictions, |
... |
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