K. This is the 1st working draft of vol. VI. It still ... - From Marx to Mao

194 MAO TSE-TUNG
to understand completely each comrade’s circumstances, capacity,
and knowledge.
5. According to their character, these activities can be divided
into discussion meetings, review meetings, and criticism meetings.
4. METHODS
Before the meeting we must prepare for it. These preparations
consist in informing the members of the group, establishing the essential
subject matter of the discussion, and, at the same time, reporting
to the next higher echelon.
FROM MARX
TO MAO
1. As regards the number of participants, from three to five rep-
⋆
resents the optimum.
2. One should not be bound by any rigid pattern. Discussion
meetings can be held at all times and in all places.
3. As for the time limit, it is not desirable that the meetings
should last too long. One hour is the maximum permissible.
4. It is appropriate to hold one meeting a week. The order of
procedure consists in a report by the chairman, discussion of the
report by the participants, and a conclusion entrusted to the leader
of the group. The record of the meeting should indicate in detail
the name of the chairman, NOT the subjects FOR of discussion, the number of
those present and absent, and the place where the meeting was held.
5. Not more than two problems at most should be discussed.
The discussion should COMMERCIAL
have as its starting point the individual problems
of the participants.
6. As for the manner of speaking, it is appropriate that the remarks
of the participants should deal with essentials and be simple
and clear. They should DISTRIBUTION
be systematic and not repetitive. They should
be persuasive in content and presented in a friendly and agreeable
manner. In answering questions, one should avoid any hint of mockery
and pay attention to what the others say. At the same time, one
should arrive at a decision concerning the topic discussed.
7. As regards the leader of the group, his report should be simple.
He should not give a long and repetitive presentation but seize the
occasion to induce the participants to speak.
8. The conclusion should follow the inductive method. It should
include a criticism of the whole of the discussions. If there are dissident
conclusions, they may also be expressed