Enver Hoxha and Mao Zedong

This chapter analyzes the lives and works of the two communist leaders, Enver Hoxha and Mao Zedong. They shaped relations between Albania and China during the Cold War. Their views permeated these relations until their deaths. The chapter discusses their ideological beliefs, leadership style, and cult of the individual. It is stated that Hoxha and Mao consolidated totalitarian systems based on Marxist-Leninist ideology. They considered themselves opponents of Soviet “revisionism.” Hoxha and Mao also differ in essential ideological terms. In his theoretical concepts, Mao tolerated, to some extent, coexistence with elements of the bourgeoisie, particularly during the early phase of the People’s Republic under the doctrine of “New Democracy,” while Hoxha represented a classic Stalinist interpretation that rejected any class compromise. Mao demonstrated a more diplomatic approach to foreign relations, including rapprochement with the United States, while Hoxha maintained a rigid, uncompromising stance toward the USA, the USSR, and later even with China itself. Mao and Hoxha fostered a cult of personality around themselves. Both were harsh toward political opponents and surrounded themselves with loyal supporters who embraced their ideological beliefs. They applied different methods to maintain power: Mao through the mobilization of the broad masses of the people, supported by the army, while Enver through control over the Party and, through it, over the state. Millions in China and thousands in Albania are estimated to have lost their lives as a consequence of their policies.