9781422277676

An enormous portrait of Mao Zedong watches over visitors to Beijing’s Tiananmen Square. Many Communist leaders, including Mao, have used propaganda to promote themselves as heroic figures who never make mistakes and always act in the best interests of their people. By promoting intense devotion, the leader establishes a “cult of personality” in order to extend his power.

Words to Understand in This Chapter

cadres— trained and highly motivated members of a revolutionary party. indoctrination— instruction in the basic principles of a political party or other organization. private property— in Marxist theory, property capable of producing a profit for its owner. utopia— an imaginary place where everything is perfect.