The Unfinished Business of De-Maoization in China

Fifty years after Mao Zedong’s death, China has undergone significant transformation, yet his legacy continues to shape the country’s politics and society. Mao died in 1976, leaving behind a nation still reeling from his catastrophic policies and social experiments. His demise marked the beginning of a new era, one that saw radical economic reforms and a gradual opening up to the world.

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has never fully abandoned Mao’s core principles. One of the most enduring aspects of Mao’s legacy is the party’s supremacy over the state and society. His thought remains part of China’s official ideology, his portrait still hangs in Tiananmen Square, and his name is enshrined in the CCP constitution.

This emphasis on party supremacy has remained a constant throughout China’s transformation. The institutional core of Mao’s vision – that “the party leads everything” – has been preserved, serving a state vision of concentrating resources at all costs. Experts argue that this means sacrificing the interests of ordinary people if necessary to preserve the regime.

Xi Jinping’s current leadership is reminiscent of many aspects associated with the Mao era. The emphasis on ideological unity, the spirit of “struggle,” and the concentration of power are all echoes of Mao’s style. However, Xi’s approach differs fundamentally from Mao’s in terms of governance. While both leaders emphasize the party’s supremacy and populism, Xi prioritizes control and top-down governance.

In economic policy, there’s no sign of a return to Mao-era communism; instead, China has developed a highly dynamic model of state capitalism with a strong private sector. Xi views China’s current leadership as drawing on Mao’s historical status as the founder of the state, military, and party to justify their own power consolidation.

However, experts argue that de-Maoization – the process of moving away from Mao’s legacy – remains an unfinished business. While China has made significant progress in recent decades, the country still struggles with authoritarian rule, political rigidity, and a lack of effective guarantees for citizens’ rights.

Xi’s own experience during the Cultural Revolution is often cited as a factor in his approach to power. Rather than learning from the mistakes of the past, some argue that Xi has drawn a very different conclusion: that whoever loses power is at the mercy of others. This raises disturbing questions about the future of democracy and human rights in China.

As we mark this milestone anniversary, it’s essential to recognize both the progress made since Mao’s death and the challenges that remain. While China has transformed into a global economic powerhouse, its politics and society still grapple with many of the same issues that defined the Mao era. The unfinished business of de-Maoization is a reminder that true change requires more than just economic reforms; it demands fundamental shifts in the way power is exercised and citizens are treated.

China’s future will depend on whether its leaders can break free from the stranglehold of Mao’s legacy and forge a new path.