Autocracy and China's Rebel Founding Emperors: Comparing Chairman Mao and Ming Taizu

by Anita M. Andrew, John A. Rapp

It is now common to hear Mao Zedong referred to as a modern-day 'emperor, ' and the authors argue that Mao can best be compared to a specific imperial predecessor, Ming Taizu, the fourteenth-century peasant rebel who founded the Ming dynasty. Both rulers created autocratic regimes that violently purged political enemies; both used the power of their own words to transform the masses. Utilizing a rich mix of analysis and new translations, the book begins by examining other imperial predecessors and the elements linking Mao and Taizu, as well as critiques of Western and Chinese scholarship. The book presents translations with commentary of PRC scholars on Taizu and Mao, showing the evolution in Chinese thought toward both rulers from the Cultural Revolution to the Deng Xiaoping reform era

Genres: China, History

384 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2000

Reviews

[Laurie Dennis · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting comparison of Ming founder Zhu Yuanzhang of the 14th century and CCP Chairman Mao Zedong. The book has two parts - a discussion of autocracy with respect to Zhu and Mao, and then a series of translated articles by Chinese writers, including Democracy Wall activist/dissedent Wang Xizhe. The authors have assembled translations presenting views of both of these important rebel founders. Lots of good, well-sourced information to ponder.