Decades after the fall of the Soviet Union, the legacy of the Sino-Soviet split stands out sharply in the history of socialism and the Cold War as a major turning point, impacting conflicts all over the world and within the movement, the collapses of 89-91, and China's relationship with the West and embrace of foreign investment.
How do Marxists in China (inside and outside of the CPC) think of it? As justified, as a mistake, as well-intentioned but with bad consequences? What works of theory analyzes its causes, effects? And in light of China's reform and opening up, how is "revisionism", in general and as an ideological rebuke of liberalization in the post-Stalin era in particular, understood?
Any and all answers appreciated, let me know if another comm is better suited for this post.
I don't think either side comes out looking particularly good. Mao was rash and took his personal dislike of corn dude too far despite some valid concerns over the Soviet geopolitical direction (a direction that China ironically took even further in the 1970s. I mean, breaking relations with the USSR over not starting nuclear war with the USA over Cuba was shockingly dumb.
Conversely, the Soviets sometimes did treat China as a de facto Eastern Bloc member rather than an independent Socialist state with its own line.
I think we agree that aside from outright Nazbols and Capitalist Restorationists, the motto for Communists is the same as the motto for D&D, "Never split the party." This split should have never left the realms of internal practice.