China Pt. 8: Mao Zedong and Maoism with Yueran Zhang

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Nov 4, 2025

Yueran Zhang, an Assistant Professor at the University of Chicago, explores the complex legacy of Mao Zedong and Maoism. He delves into Mao's formative years and the rise of the Chinese Revolution. The discussion highlights Maoism's unique tenant of peasant-centered revolution and its implications for modern socialist movements. Zhang critiques China's current political economy, arguing that it leans towards capitalism while challenging traditional narratives around Deng Xiaoping and Mao's policies. He emphasizes the importance of grassroots organizing in striving for true socialism.

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INSIGHT

Indigenize Revolutionary Theory

Maoism insists Marxism-Leninism must be adapted to local conditions rather than applied as a universal formula.
This indigenization made revolutionary theory more dynamic and context-sensitive.

INSIGHT

Peasantry As Revolutionary Base

Mao elevated the peasantry as a central revolutionary force when industrial workers were weakened by repression.
This repositioning inspired revolutions in agrarian contexts worldwide.

INSIGHT

Mass Mobilization And Guarding Socialism

Post-1949 Maoism emphasized mass mobilization to build socialism through popular energy and labor.
Mao also warned that socialist projects risked ossification and needed constant guarding against capitalist restoration.

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In Part 8 of our ongoing series on China we're joined by Yueren Zhang to discuss Mao Zedong and the political philosophy of Maoism. Yueran Zhang is Assistant Professor in the department of sociology at the University of Chicago. He specializes in the comparative studies of capitalism, socialism, and transitions in between, with a special emphasis on political economy and the dynamics of development in the Global South.

The conversation opens by presenting a biographical and historical overview of Mao Zedong, the context in which the Chinese Revolution occured, and Mao's role in the Chinese Revolution. We then introduce Maoism as a philosophy and political practice and take a deep dive into how Mao's philosophy shaped his political practice—using the cultural revolution and building mass movements as examples. We explore Mao and his relationship to Deng Xiaoping, China's political system and whether we can view China as a socialist or capitalist state (Yueren holds a very different view from most of our previous guests in this episode), the role that Mao's political practice and philosophy plays in modern day revolutionary movements, and much more.

Producer's note: Our China series is a Patreon series, but we've published this episode publicly. The episode itself is completely fine to listen to as a standalone. If you like what you hear and want to hear more, the entire series is available on Patreon and covers a wide range of topics and perspectives which complement this episode.

Further resources:

Related episodes:

Listen to our ongoing series on China
Migration as Economic Imperialism w/ Immanuel Ness
Revolutionary Leftism with Breht O'Shea (includes an introduction to Marxism-Leninism)
Dialectical Materialism w/ Josh Sykes (includes a basic introduction to Maosim)
Historical Materialism w/ Torkil Lauesen
Our ongoing series on the Alliance of Sahel States
Our ongoing series on Venezuela
Our ongoing series on Palestine

Intermission music: "The Way That You Slope Your Shoulders" by Witchdream Mansion

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