The Sino-Soviet Conflict in Perspective

Three issues divide Russia and China: organiza tion, decision-making, and leadership in the Communist world; revolutionary tactics and strategy in mid-twentieth century; content and form of intrabloc assistance. The Chinese, to protect their minority status and advance their political power, emphasize the sovereignty and independence of each Com munist party and advocate a commonwealth theory of inter national Communist organization. The Soviet Union pays homage to the equality and independence of each party but believes that power must go with responsibility and does not intend to relinquish international Communist leadership to Peking. The Chinese, dissatisfied and unable to compete nation-to-nation with the United States, advocate pushing global revolution, particularly in the non-Western world. The Soviet Union bases its strategy on nation-to nation competition with the United States and unification of the total Socialist camp. The Russians reject any equal-development theory that might disperse Soviet resources too widely. They insist upon the validity of economic co-operation among Communist states. The Chinese, resentful of Soviet preoccupation with Russian power and development, attack Soviet imperialism, the use of aid for political pressure. Thus far, the dispute has passed through five tactical phases. This escalation has been delib erate, after repeated failures of agreement. The underlying cause of the Sino-Soviet conflict is the basic paradox between pluralism in the Communist world and monolithism in Com munist ideology.