Jeffrey Wasserstrom: China, Xi Jinping, Trade War, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Mao | Lex Fridman Podcast #466

Summary

The discussion compares Xi Jinping and Mao Zedong, highlighting the revival of a personality cult under Xi, reminiscent of Mao's era. Unlike Mao's embrace of "chaos" and class struggle, Xi is characterized as being very orderly and concerned with control. The takeaway is that Xi Jinping represents a return to a style of leadership more akin to Mao's than that of subsequent Chinese leaders.