At least eight major and fairly well-established models of Chinese politics during the Maoist era have been formulated in the United States. In this study, these models are applied to post-Mao Chinese politics, using a synthetic approach.; The study includes a detailed examination of Chinese politics between 1977 and 1985 that covers such factors as the de-Maoization campaign, the readjustment of party-military relations, party and bureaucratic reforms, economic reforms, and ideological conflict. Having reviewed the ongoing political process during the period 1977-1985, the study finds that significant changes have taken place that have opened up the Chinese economy, diversified ideology, institutionalized organization, and stabilized the polity. However, changes in the post-Mao political system do not mean that politics within China have acquired a brand new face during the era of Deng Xiaoping; the major findings of this research reveal much continuity between the Mao and post-Mao periods.; It is concluded that no single model will suffice to explain any single period, and that a certain model may explain Chinese politics better at certain times than at others. Thus, it is appropriate to say that the factional model seems less applicable, and the tendency and bureaucratic models more applicable, to relatively stable periods. In any case, as long as China maintains a Leninist party-state, ideology and organization will remain central to Chinese politics.
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