If Mao had died in '56, would his successors have avoided the Great Leap Forward and Cultural Revolution?
If so, would the lack of damage related to these events lead to reforms and growth in earlier decades, making for a richer China today?
Or might it have led to a period of Soviet style industrialization and urbanization, causing China's economy to outperform OTL from the late 50s through the 80s, but then face a slow-down later because safer and more stable party bureaucrats have a stronger stake in the planned economy and succeed in resisting market reforms?
If so, would the lack of damage related to these events lead to reforms and growth in earlier decades, making for a richer China today?
Or might it have led to a period of Soviet style industrialization and urbanization, causing China's economy to outperform OTL from the late 50s through the 80s, but then face a slow-down later because safer and more stable party bureaucrats have a stronger stake in the planned economy and succeed in resisting market reforms?