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Now in the second of his two programs on useful idiots,

John Swini turns his attention to modern times,

and he starts in China.

In April 69, Communist Party delegates assemble for their ninth Congress,

Mao's victorious conclusion to the Cultural Revolution.

By now he's hosted his opponents,

and the shouts of long lives are louder than ever.

The sound of tyranny from Mao Zedong's China.

This is the second of two programs on the BBC World Service,

looking at useful idiots,

a loaded term attributed to Lenin.

First, a definition,

historian Donald Rayfield,

and then journalist Bruce Anderson.

It's someone who doesn't think they're an idiot,

who thinks they're highly intelligent,

but is so easily persuaded by flattery from people in power,

that they're prepared to serve their purposes,

and allow themselves to be duped,

...