ChinaTalk MAGA-Mao Connections with Orville Schell
127 snips
May 23, 2025 
Orville Schell, a renowned Sinologist and Director at the Asia Society, and Alexander Boyd, associate editor at China Books Review, dive deep into intriguing parallels between Mao Zedong and Donald Trump. They explore how Mao's psychological complexities influenced his leadership style and reflect on the Cultural Revolution's lasting impacts on modern China, including Xi Jinping's family. The discussion also touches on loyalty dynamics and the role of civil society in defending democracy, illuminating the echoes of past authoritarianism in today's political landscape.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Death and Fear as Checks on Power
- Mao’s death was the ultimate check on his terror, as dissent was brutally suppressed during his rule.
- Autocrats use fear and disorder to neutralize opposition and maintain absolute control.
Uncertain Future of Trumpism
- Trump’s revolutionary efforts might fail or cause worse outcomes, similar to Mao’s failed Great Leap Forward leading to Cultural Revolution.
- American democracy’s future under Trump remains uncertain amid rising autocratic tendencies.
Lack of Ideology in Trump
- Mao and Marxism had clear ideological agendas, unlike Trump, who acts impulsively without coherent political principles.
- Trump’s leadership is marked by animalistic emotional reactions rather than deliberate ideology.
