Not only does the whole process of the movement of opposites,[4-468]both in their interconnections and in each of the aspects, have particular features to which we should give attention, but each stage in the process has its particular features to which we must give attention too.[4-469]The fundamental contradiction in a process[4-470]and the essence of the process determined by this fundamental contradiction will not disappear until the process is completed; but the conditions usually differ at each stage of development of a process.[4-471]The reason is that, although the nature of the fundamental contradiction in a process[4-472]and the essence of the process remain unchanged, the fundamental contradiction becomes more and more intensified as it passes from one stage to another.[4-473]In addition, among the numerous major and minor contradictions which are determined[4-474]by the fundamental contradiction, some become intensified, some are temporarily or partially resolved or mitigated, and some new ones emerge; hence the process is marked by stages.[4-475]
For instance, when imperialism differed from nonmonopoly capitalism,[4-476] there was no change in the[4-477] nature of the two classes in fundamental contradiction, namely, the proletariat and the bourgeoisie, [p.256] or in the capitalist essence of society; however, the contradiction between these two classes became intensified, the contradiction between monopoly and non-monopoly capital emerged, the contradiction between the various monopoly cliques emerged, the contradiction between the export of capital and the export of commodities emerged, the contradiction between the colonial powers and the colonies became intensified, the contradiction among the capitalist countries resulting from their uneven development intensified,[4-478] and thus arose the special stage of imperialism.[4-479]