Rodong Sinmun on lessons left by intellectuals in collapse of socialism

Korean News, 20 November 1997

Pyongyang, November 20 (KCNA)—Rodong Sinmun November 19 came out with a lengthy article entitled “Lessons left by intellectuals in collapse of socialism”. The authors of the article said: In the former Soviet Union, intellectuals who were ideologically degenerated before anyone else by “reforms” and “restructuring”, took the lead in collapsing socialism and reviving capitalism. This teaches a serious lesson to the people. Citing specific materials to expose how intellectuals of the former Soviet Union took the van in destroying the party, the state, economy and culture, the authors of the article continued: As “reforms” were announced in the former Soviet Union, intellectuals, notably those of central organs zealously defended them and slipped into the ranks of the party after being absorbed by socialist renegades. A “reform faction” was formed within the party. Siding with this faction, intellectuals within the party shook it to its very foundation and were the first to break with it. The socialist renegades took such measures as reinstatement of reactionary elements, issuing of anti-socialist reactionary books, “openness”, “pluralism” and plural election, above all, for intellectuals. Intellectuals of the former Soviet Union, who had ardently advertized the advantages of socialist economy, completely changed their position and slandered the socialist economic system. They went the length of “theorizing” the “shocking remedy” in economy, “benefits from reforms” and “happy life in capitalism”, making loud advertisements about them. They also took the lead in destroying culture, while press media played a role as “standard bearers of openness”. As seen above, they, failing to penetrate into the counter-revolutionary intention of the socialist renegades, sympathized with them in ideology and took the van in its implementation. By doing so, they weakened the party and state, made havoc with economy and culture and created social confusion and disorders. As a result, the former Soviet Union collapsed. Realities teach us serious lessons that if efforts are not made to revolutionize and working-classize intellectuals, they are powerless to the capitalist ideology and, finally, they fall victims to the counter-revolutionary acts. They also show that if intellectuals abandon socialism, failing to have an unshakable faith in it, they will be destined only to miserable fates. There is no boundary in science and technology. But, intellectuals should have their motherland and faith. The intellectuals of the former Soviet Union had no such faith, the article stressed.