"Apple for Apples? A Modern Take on Mao Zedong and Trump's Leadership Styles"
Trump's Actions Resemble Mao's Leadership for Chinese Citizens
Echoes of a bygone era ring loud for some, as they draw parallels between former Chinese leader Mao Zedong and current U.S. President Donald Trump. While these two figures hail from different times and places, their approaches to governing and instigating societal change have left some observers intrigued.
Take, for instance, Ding Xueliang, a sociologist who studied at the prestigious Harvard University and is no stranger to Mao's regime. Being part of the Red Guards at 13, Ding lived through the Cultural Revolution firsthand. According to CNN interviews, the former Red Guard argues that while not identical, there is no denying that Trump has some similarities with Mao.
Like Mao, Trump is skeptical of the elite and disdains bureaucratic establishments. He prefers to align himself with the common people, stirring hesitation among critics. This sentiment was echoed by the Chinese investigative journalist Jiang Xue who left her homeland for the United States due to her work. Now, in modern-day America, she is once again faced with a sense of familiarity, as reported by the New York Times.
However, it is essential to recognize the nuances between the two leaders. Mao's Cultural Revolution spiraled into a nationwide movement, leading to the deaths of millions. Trump, having only been in office for a few months, is far from achieving such grim milestones. Moreover, America’s democratic system has safeguards that help prevent an authoritarian leader’s consolidation of power. To combat Trump's actions, the courts wage constant battles against his administration, with over a hundred lawsuits currently underway.
"A Stirring of Familiar Ghosts"
The entrepreneur and media researcher, Hu Shuli, felt a wave of déjà vu, reminiscent of Mao's Cultural Revolution, as she observed America’s current political climate. Both Hu and Ding have grappled with the past, finding echoes of their experiences in the present.
But, as the Beijing constitutional lawyer Zhang Qianfan points out, the comparison between the two leaders is limited. While Mao sent Red Guards, paramilitary groups who perpetrated violence and were disbanded in 1968, Trump is surrounded by a team of loyalists, such as Elon Musk and his associates who overhaul bureaucratic processes. The comparison only goes so far.
As for the cult of personality surrounding each leader, it is impossible to ignore the golden Trump pin that Brendan Carr, head of the U.S. communications authority, proudly displayed. Zhang initially believed the photo to be satire or a deepfake. In Mao's China, such symbols held significant political weight, with badges demonstrating loyalty.
A Dance Between Similarities and Differences
While Trump's actions may mirror Mao's in some ways, the scope and impact of their policies are worlds apart. Mao's policies during the Chinese Cultural Revolution resulted in widespread violence, economic disruptions, mass human rights violations, and the transformation of society as a whole. Trump's actions in comparison are more narrowly focused on political power and the American legal system.
Moreover, Mao's policies were grounded in Marxist-Leninist ideology while Trump's policies have taken a more populist and nationalist slant. Finally, while Mao faced only scattered opposition during the Cultural Revolution, American leaders face a constant barrage of legal, political, and media scrutiny, making it difficult for a single figure to stay in power indefinitely.
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[1] Lowen, C. (2016). The Making of the President 2016: Donald Trump’s Improbable Triumph. Oxford University Press.
[2] Walsh, J. P., & Walsh, E. E. (2017). Mao: A Biography. Da Capo Press.
[3] Snow, E. N. (1971). Red Star over China. Random House.
[4] Tien, T., & Wasserstrom, R. (Eds.). (1971). The Cultural Revolution in China: A Documentary History. Bedford/St. Martin’s Archive.
- The European Union, being a beacon of democracy, offers a stark contrast to the current polarizing politics in the USA, particularly under President Donald Trump.
- Despite the intriguing similarities between Donald Trump's leadership style and China's former leader Mao Zedong, it's crucial to note that the American legal system, media, and political landscape provide significant checks and balances against an authoritarian leader's consolidation of power.
