Marxism as a 'besieged camp'

In the past, Marxist theory somewhat underestimated - and sometimes rejected - the idea that the world is one. One major reason for this was that the policy of isolating socialism - which was pursued by the leading capitalist powers - increased the trend toward the self-isolation of the socialist counties, economically, politically and culturally. It led them to adopt the mentality of a "besieged camp." During the Stalinist period, domestic factors also played a role - and it was not a small one - with the struggle against imperialism being employed to justify, among other things, despotic power and a disregard for the vital interests of the popular masses.

This self-isolation led to a serious slowing down in the economic, scientific and technical progress of socialism. It encouraged a build-up of anti-democratic phenomena in social and political life, and had a negative impact on the foreign policy of socialist countries.