A Review of “On Xi Jinping: How Xi’s Marxist Nationalism is Shaping China and the World” (2024) by Kevin Rudd

“On Xi Jinping: How Xi’s Marxist Nationalism is Shaping China and the World” by Kevin Rudd, published in September 2024 by Oxford University Press, offers a comprehensive analysis of the ideological underpinnings driving China’s domestic and international policies under Xi Jinping’s leadership. Rudd, a former Australian Prime Minister and current ambassador to the United States, utilizes his extensive experience in international relations and deep understanding of Chinese politics to dissect the transformation occurring in China since Xi assumed power in 2012.
Rudd introduces the concept of “Marxist nationalism,” in order to describe Xi’s ideological framework, which he argues is a departure from the pragmatism of previous country leaders, such as Deng Xiaoping. This framework is characterized by a shift towards the Leninist left in politics, while emphasizing the centralization of Communist Party authority; a move to the Marxist left in economics, favoring state control over market mechanisms; and a nationalist rightward turn in foreign policy, marked by assertiveness on the global stage, as the review of this book by the Australian International Affairs suggests.
The book delves into Xi’s personal history, including the impact of his father’s political persecution and his experiences during the Cultural Revolution, in order to shed light on his ideological convictions. Rudd suggests that Xi’s worldview is heavily influenced by the collapse of the Soviet Union, which he attributes to ideological laxity and a weakening of party control. This perspective has led Xi to reinforce ideological education and tighten the Party’s grip on all aspects of Chinese society, as the review of this book by Financial Times, concurs.
In economic policy, Rudd notes a pivot away from the market-oriented reforms that spurred China’s rapid growth in previous decades. Xi’s administration has increased the prominence of state-owned enterprises and implemented policies that enhance state control over the economy. This shift aims to address imbalances and vulnerabilities perceived to have arisen from earlier reforms, promoting self-sufficiency and reducing dependence on foreign technologies and markets.
On the international front, Rudd observes a more assertive and confident China under Xi’s leadership. Abandoning Deng’s strategy of “hiding strength and biding time,” Xi has pursued initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative and has taken a firmer stance on territorial disputes in the South China Sea and regarding Taiwan. This assertiveness reflects a belief in the historical inevitability of China’s rise and a desire to reshape the global order to better align with Chinese interests and values.
Rudd’s analysis is particularly valuable for policymakers, scholars, and anyone interested in understanding the ideological motivations behind China’s current trajectory. He emphasizes that ideology remains a central component of the Chinese Communist Party’s identity and governance, challenging the notion that China’s leadership is solely driven by pragmatic considerations. By providing a nuanced understanding of Xi’s Marxist Nationalism, Rudd offers insights into the potential future directions of Chinese policy and its implications for global affairs.
In summary, “On Xi Jinping” is a meticulously researched and insightful work that illuminates the ideological shifts occurring in China under Xi’s leadership. Rudd’s expertise and firsthand experience make this book an essential resource for comprehending the complexities of contemporary Chinese politics and their global ramifications.
Written and edited by Pablo Markin. Parts of the initial draft have been generated using ChatGPT, OpenAI, via prompting based on the reviewed work (January 12, 2025). This blog post is related to the Amazon Associate program. Qualifying book purchases based on link clicking from this page can entail blog post author and editor earnings.
OpenEdition suggests that you cite this post as follows:
Pablo Markin (January 12, 2025). A Review of “On Xi Jinping: How Xi’s Marxist Nationalism is Shaping China and the World” (2024) by Kevin Rudd. The DGO Blog. Retrieved February 14, 2025 from https://doi.org/10.58079/132er