Mao Zedong, the main initiator of the Chinese communist movement, had been a man of ideas, who applied radical reforms (Great Leap Forward, Cultural Revolution) without regard to the Chinese people. (For details, see Dman's writeup on Zhou Enlai.)

Deng, a key figure from the 1960s until his death in 1997, was a pragmatist.

He will be remembered for bringing communist rule in touch with reality, restoring social stability and bringing economic prosperity.