Trump’s megalomania is the most recent sign of US as a “Paper Tiger”

Mao Zedong’s famous “paper tiger” (纸老虎, zhǐlǎohǔ) quote states: “All reactionaries are paper tigers. In appearance, the reactionaries are terrifying, but in reality, they are not so powerful”. It signifies that powerful-looking enemies (like US imperialism or Jiang Jieshi - Chiang Kai-shek) are actually weak and will ultimately be defeated by the people because they are divorced from the masses.

Mao famously stated, “U.S. imperialism has not yet been overthrown and it has the atom bomb, but I believe it too is a paper tiger and will be overthrown”.

Key Aspects of the Quote:

* Definition: “Paper tiger” refers to something that seems threatening or powerful but is ineffectual and unable to withstand challenges.

* Strategic Meaning: Mao argued that while reactionaries are “real tigers” in the short term (tactically), they are “paper tigers” in the long term (strategically).

* Origin: The concept was prominently discussed in a 1946 interview with American journalist Anna Louise Strong, where Mao described Jiang Jieshi (Chiang Kai-shek), Hitler, and US imperialism as paper tigers.

* Usage: The quote was used to boost morale and confidence, reassuring his followers that powerful enemies could be overthrown.

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