Introduction

Abstract

Mao Zedong and the Cultural Revolution is one of the most important pieces of writing to emerge from China's dissident Democracy Movement. Written during the latter part of 1980, the 40,000-character essay analyzes the origins and development of political despotism under Mao. At once an interpretation of modern Chinese politics and a proclamation of personal political belief, it exhibits a grasp of recent Chinese history and a maturity of political analysis unusual among the manifestos of the Democracy Movement.