Apolitical Attitude

a passive, indifferent attitude (real or pretended) toward social life and political activity. Widespread among the most backward, least class-conscious strata of the population in capitalist countries, the apolitical attitude is frequently the result of the deliberately propagated ideological influence of the ruling class. This attitude may be more than a manifestation of backwardness: it may be a conscious expression of unconcern and indifference. The apolitical attitude that is a manifestation of backwardness must be distinguished from that which results from deliberate propagation by the ideologists of reactionary and conservative classes. These classes attempt to veil and hide the class content of their ideology, which aims at maintaining and strengthening the dominance of the bourgeoisie while drawing working people away from the struggle for their class interests. This latter form of apolitical attitude appears in the guise of doctrines of “nonparty attitude,” the “neutrality” and “supraclass” nature of law and the state, “pure” science, and “art for art’s sake.” By means of empty entertainment or gangster films, comics, pornographic literature, and other devices, the propaganda for individualism, crude material comfort, and a consumer psychology serves to distract the masses from acute political problems.

In contrast to the apolitical attitude, Marxism-Leninism presents a scientifically grounded doctrine of the social obligation of each individual and the party identification and class character of all forms of ideology. Throughout the world Communists struggle resolutely against the apolitical attitude and lack of ideals in all spheres of culture and life. The resolutions of the Central Committee of the CPSU and other Marxist-Leninist parties on questions of ideology educate the people in the spirit of Communist Party identification; they instill a high ideological and principled attitude and call upon all toilers to be active participants in the country’s political life, the revolutionary struggle, and the construction of communist society.