13 points
Point taken, but would Deng have had the power he did given only little support in the Central Committee or People’s Congresses? Would he have even been elected to the official offices he did hold?
9 points
I feel like what you’re asking is just tautologically true. yes, deng would not have been as powerful and influential if he didn’t have as much support. in the case of stalin I have no doubt he would have been able to effectively rule in the case where he did retire. it seems naive to assume he wouldn’t be able to
