Mao Tse Tung Quotations from Mao Tse Tung 5. War is the highest form of struggle for resolving contradictions, when they have developed to a certain stage, between classes, nations, states, or political groups, and it has existed ever since the emergence of private property and of classes. War is the continuation of politics. However, war has its own particular characteristics and in this sense, it cannot be equated with politics in general.
War is the continuation of politics by other . . . means.
When the obstacle is removed and our political aim attained the war will stop. It can therefore be said that politics is war without bloodshed while war is politics with bloodshed. All wars that are progressive are just, and all wars that impede progress are unjust. We Communists oppose all unjust wars that impede progress, but we do not oppose progressive, just wars. The way to oppose a war of this kind is to do everything possible to prevent it before it breaks out and, once it breaks out, to oppose war with war, to oppose unjust war with just war, whenever possible.