The desire of the country to initiate successful economic reform stemmed from several aspects of economic struggle. The ideals brought forth through the discontent expressed in the working class during the Cultural Revolution remained an economic concern along with the ideals of socialism. The limited success of the economic plans and policies expressed within the Mao period was seen as a concern, for the economic status of the country was far inferior to its ideals. The death of Mao left the country to face this economic dilemma alone. Deng introduced reforms to attempt to completely modernize the country and establish some economic success.
Political reasons seem to have influenced the pattern of economic reform the most.
Economic reasons for reform seemed to obtain a role only after the political decisions had deteriorated. After Mao had died, basic factors created conditions which the economic reforms to happen. While economic factors made an economic reform applicable, the social and political factors were what really drove the effort. Before Mao s death the economy was slowly growing and China had largely become self sufficient. It was the erratic and unstable nature of the economy that Deng thought was inhibiting modernization.