DOI: 10.38007/978-1-80053-629-6

In the long river of history, intellectuals, as the elite group of society, have always played an important role in inspiring ideas, inheriting culture, and promoting innovation. Especially in the wave of communist revolution in the 20th century, the fate and situation of the intellectual community not only deeply reflected the trajectory of the times’ changes, but also became an important yardstick for measuring the depth of the revolutionary process and social change. This book, “The Situation of Intellectuals in the Communist Revolution -- A Comparative Analysis of China and the Soviet Union”, aims to reveal the complex experience and diverse features of intellectuals in the context of the communist revolution by deeply analyzing the policies, attitudes and influences of the Soviet Union (Russia) and the CPC on intellectuals in different historical periods. 

The Soviet Union, as the world’s first socialist country, had a profound impact on future generations through its intellectual policies during its revolution and construction process. The class division and utilization strategy of intellectuals during the Lenin era, the persecution and purge of intellectuals during the Stalin era, and the subsequent cultural revolution constitute both glorious and heavy chapters in the history of Soviet intellectuals. The first and second chapters of this book will carefully sort out the twists and turns of the fate of intellectuals during this period, explore how political power changes profoundly shaped the living space and creative environment of intellectuals, and the long-term impact of these changes on the social and cultural development of the Soviet Union. At the same time, the intellectual policy of the CPC during the democratic revolution and after the founding of New China also experienced a complex process from attraction, solidarity to transformation and reassessment. From the active pursuit and reuse of intellectuals at the initial stage to the ideological transformation and “obedience” requirements for intellectuals after the founding of New China, this series of policy adjustments not only reflected the changes of the CPC in the role orientation of intellectuals at different historical stages, but also profoundly affected the fate and social contributions of Chinese intellectuals. The third and fourth chapters of this book will systematically review this process and analyze the role of intellectuals in the practice of revolution and construction under the leadership of the CPC and the challenges they face. The fifth chapter of this book is a comparative analysis of the plight of Chinese and Soviet intellectuals based on the first two parts. By reflecting on the fragility and character of intellectuals in the 20th century revolution, this article explores their complex manifestations in the face of collective violence and totalitarianism - both the helplessness of being forced to become “accomplices of resistance” and the courage to persist in independent thinking and humanistic care. At the same time, this book also raises a future oriented question: how should people, as the general public, view intellectuals? How to build a more inclusive and open social environment while respecting knowledge and talent, so that intellectuals can find a balance between freedom and responsibility, and contribute wisdom and strength to the progress and development of society. 

In short, this book attempts to restore the true situation of the intellectual community in the communist revolution through the lens of history, explore the deep reasons behind their fate, and the enlightenment of these historical experiences on today’s society. I hope that through this work, readers can not only enhance their understanding of the historical status and role of intellectuals, but also stimulate more thinking and discussions about the relationship between intellectuals and social development, providing historical insights and theoretical support for building a more harmonious and progressive social and cultural environment. 

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