Recent events in China illustrate similarities between MaoZedong’s and Xi Jinping’s construction of socialist ideologyspecifically when it comes to class struggle, economic legitimacy,solidarity, as well as cooperation elicited by propaganda effortsand the construction of common enemy. These similarities inconstruction have led to concern that Xi’s governance will lead toa catastrophic outcome, similar to that of Mao’s administration.However, this paper argues that, based on current data andscholarship, Xi is different from Mao in that Xi’s policies areproactive and grounded in actual realities. Moreover, hisrecognition that political and social stability are conducive to acountry’s economic growth indicates that his administration willnot lead to Mao’s level of political, economic, and social disaster