Mao and Markets: The Communist Roots of Chinese Enterprise | Book Talk with Christopher Marquis

It was long assumed that as China embraced open markets and private enterprise, its state-controlled economy would fall by the wayside, that free markets would inevitably lead to a more liberal society. Instead, China’s growth over the past four decades has positioned state capitalism as a durable foil to the orthodoxy of free markets, to the confusion of many in the West.

Authors Christopher Marquis and Kunyuan Qiao argue that China’s economic success is based on—not in spite of—the continuing influence of Communist leader Mao Zedong. They illustrate how Mao’s ideological principles, mass campaigns, and socialist institutions have enduringly influenced Chinese entrepreneurs’ business strategies and the management of their ventures. Grounded in case studies and quantitative analyses, this book shows that while private enterprise is the engine of China’s growth, Chinese companies see no contradictions between commercial drive and a dedication to Maoist ideology.

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SPEAKER

Christopher Marquis, the Sinyi Professor of Chinese Management at the University of Cambridge Judge Business School

Chris is the author of the award-winning book Better Business: How the B Corp Movement Is Remaking Capitalism and the more recent Mao and Markets: The Communist Roots of Chinese Enterprise.

Prior to joining Cambridge, Chris was the Samuel C. Johnson Professor in Sustainable Global Enterprise at Cornell University, and before that spent 10 years as a professor at Harvard Business School and he also worked for 18 months at Harvard Kennedy School as a Professor of Social Innovation and Public Policy. Chris received a PhD in Sociology and Business Administration from the University of Michigan, and since then has authored more than 20 peer-reviewed academic articles and more than 50 Harvard business cases on topics related to social innovation, sustainable business, and doing business in China. Before returning to academia, he was a Vice President and Technology Manager at JP Morgan Chase.

One area of his research examines entrepreneurship and market development in China, and how China has developed an economic system that is profoundly different from the West. As a result, it has been difficult for Western leaders to effectively engage with China in business and political affairs, and many problematic policies and strategies have resulted. Through his work, Chris outlines the need to fundamentally rethink assumptions about China’s political economy from the ground up to create the opportunity for better cooperation and competition. 

MODERATOR

Jacob Wood, Principal, PNW Global LLC

Jacob advises leading global companies and nonprofits on a broad range of issues from US-China relations, corporate strategic positioning and global health to risk mitigation strategies and reputation management. During his nearly 20 years in China, he served as a bridge between business executives, nonprofits and university leaders in the U.S. and China to advance common goals.

Jacob most recently served as Senior Advisor for boutique U.S.-China strategic advisory firm, GreenPoint Group, where he supported a diverse portfolio of clients across industries, including Fortune 100 and 500 companies and international NGOs. Previously, Jacob served as the country representative of Emory University’s $15 million Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation-funded public health project where he worked with national and local government officials in 22 cities in China to roll out smoke-free initiatives and push forward legislation.

Jacob also serves as a contributing author with the Economist Intelligence Unit. He received a Master’s degree in Development Practice from Emory University and a Master’s Certificate from the Hopkins-Nanjing Center for Chinese and American Studies, where he graduated as the class valedictorian. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Chinese Studies from the University of Washington. He is fluent in Mandarin Chinese.