# Maos Redbook

> Mao's Redbook (毛泽东选集 1-5) — strategic frameworks for thinking and action. Covers contradiction analysis, practice theory, military strategy, mass line, united front. Use when analyzing competitive dynamics, strategic dilemmas, organizational leadership, or seeking dialectical problem-solving approaches. 毛选战略思维库：矛盾论/实践论/军事战略/群众路线/统一战线五大框架，分析竞争态势、战略困境、组织管理、辩证思维时使用。

- Skill: `justinjchen-cornell/maos-redbook` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 10 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add justinjchen-cornell/maos-redbook`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/justinjchen-cornell/maos-redbook/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: Justinjchen-Cornell (https://skillmd.com/u/justinjchen-cornell)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/justinjchen-cornell/maos-redbook

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# 毛泽东选集 · Mao Zedong Selected Works

A structured knowledge base extracted from the 1,258-page, 5-volume compendium of Mao Zedong's key writings (1925–1957). Designed for strategic thinking, dialectical analysis, and organizational problem-solving.

## Core Frameworks

This skill provides five core frameworks distilled from Mao's work:

| Framework | Chinese | Key Concept | Quick Use |
|-----------|---------|-------------|-----------|
| Contradiction Analysis | 矛盾论 | Principal vs. secondary contradictions; internal vs. external causes | When facing complex, multi-factor problems |
| Practice Theory | 实践论 | Knowledge → Practice → Knowledge cycle; perceptual → rational cognition | When theory and reality diverge |
| Military Strategy | 军事战略 | Concentration of forces; active defense; guerrilla principles | Competitive strategy, resource allocation |
| Mass Line | 群众路线 | From the masses, to the masses; investigation over assumption | Product-market fit, user research |
| United Front | 统一战线 | Unite the many, isolate the few; independence within alliance | Partnership strategy, coalition building |

### When to Use Which Framework

1. **"I'm facing a messy problem with many conflicting factors"** → `frameworks/contradiction-analysis.md`
2. **"My plan isn't working in practice"** → `frameworks/practice-theory.md`
3. **"I'm outnumbered / under-resourced against a stronger opponent"** → `frameworks/military-strategy.md`
4. **"I need to understand what users/stakeholders really need"** → `frameworks/mass-line.md`
5. **"I need to build a coalition but maintain independence"** → `frameworks/united-front.md`

## Quick Reference

See `CHEATSHEET.md` for the one-page bilingual reference card.

## Reading by Need

- **Philosophical foundations**: Chapters 实践论, 矛盾论
- **Competitive strategy**: Chapters 论持久战, 中国革命战争的战略问题, 抗日游击战争的战略问题
- **Organizational leadership**: Chapters 关于纠正党内的错误思想, 党委会的工作方法, 关于领导方法的若干问题
- **Cognitive methods**: Chapters 反对本本主义, 改造我们的学习, 实践论
- **Dialectics in action**: Chapters 论十大关系, 关于正确处理人民内部矛盾的问题

## Key Terms

See `glossary.md` for definitions of core concepts: 实事求是, 纸老虎, 群众路线, 游击战, 持久战, 整风, 本本主义, etc.

## Article Index

See `ARTICLE_INDEX.md` for the complete list of ~120 articles across all 5 volumes.

## Using This Skill

When invoked, I will:
1. Identify which framework(s) apply to your situation
2. Reference specific articles and passages
3. Apply Mao's dialectical method: analyze contradictions → identify principal contradiction → propose resolution
4. Quote original text in Chinese with English explanation

## ⚠️ Context Note

These writings span China's revolutionary period (1925–1957). The frameworks are extracted for their **analytical and strategic value**, abstracted from their specific historical context. Apply the method, not the historical conclusions.