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TudoRama

TudoRama explores the nature and practice of creativity in the arts, sciences, politics and above all in everyday life. Tudor Rickards is Emeritus Professor of Creativity and Organizational Change at the University of Manchester. Tudor studied chemistry and radiation chemistry at The University of Wales at Cardiff. Following post-doctoral research at New York Medical College, he returned to the UK to work in technical management before joining Manchester Business School. He has published numerous books and articles on creativity, sporting management and leadership, as well as fictional works involving the mythical University of Urmston. He has been influential in the development of creativity-related projects in Europe, including the European Association for Creativity and Innovation (EACI), and was co-founder (with Susan Moger) of the journal Creativity and Innovation Management. He is also author of detective stories centred around the fictional University of Urmston, and a nearby chess club which houses a top-secret government surveillance operation. His recent switch to podcasting reaches out to a wider general audience interested in current affairs, and the processes of creativity previously described in his lectures, blogposts, and textbooks.

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Mao to Xi. A tale of two leaders

February 21, 2025 • Tudor Rickards

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Chinese leadership from Mao to Xi. A review of The Political Thought of Xi Jinping, by Tsang and Cheung.

To understand the role played by Xi Jinping in shaping China’s future it is necessary to understand the revolutionary origins of the State.

The birth of the nation of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) occurred under the charismatic leadership of Chairman Mao.

Mao Zedong fits a profile of charismatic revolutionary leaders, whose stories have become embedded in history. His courage, creative vision, and resourcefulness were backed by his physical attractiveness. He is recognised for his unique role in creating the modern state, first as a military leader and later as Chairman Mao.

His success spread among socialist movements around the world, not least by the publishing effect in multiple languages of ‘Quotations from Chairman Mao’ colloquially referred to in the English speaking world as ‘The little red book’.

Mao’s ideas had been developing for many years during the Chinese revolution, after which he played an increasingly significant part in establishing the People’s Republic of China (PRC).

After Mao, a succession of leaders presided over liberalisation reforms which were accompanied by considerable economic gains and internal party struggles.

Thirty years after Mao’s death, Xi Jinping, an ambitious young politician, was elected President. His background differed considerably from that of Mao.

Xi was an able, soft-spoken functionary...

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