What can Mao Zedong teach us about Donald Trump?

To find out, ChinaTalk interviewed the legendary sinologist Orville Schell, who visited China during the Cultural Revolution and is currently at the Asia Society.

We discuss…

Mao Zedong’s psychology and political style,

Similarities and differences between Mao and Trump,

How Mao-era traumas reverberate in modern China, including how the Cultural Revolution has influenced the Xi family,

How Zhou Enlai and Deng Xiaoping survived the Cultural Revolution, and which of their tactics could be useful in modern America,

What civil society can do to defend democracy over the next four years.

Co-hosting is Alexander Boyd, associate editor at China Books Review and former ChinaTalk intern.

Book recommendations:

Outro music:

Bach's Partita No. 1 for Solo Violin in B Minor, BWV 1002: VIII. Double, Gidon Kremer

https://open.spotify.com/track/3x1Rdpgy6QGSlW9tItHYdm?si=20fa2051dc5d4f91

Aria from J.S. Bach Cantata 'Schwingt freudig euch empor'

https://open.spotify.com/track/5pIy4Gll1YywqKX25EbbOb?si=520327db35f54201

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