It is based partially on earlier theories by Marx and Lenin, but rejects the urban proletariat and Leninist emphasis on heavy industrialization in favor of a revolution supported by the peasantry, and a decentralized agrarian economy based on many collectively worked farms.
Osalt on selle aluseks Marxi ja Lenini varasemad teooriad, kuid maoism eelistab linnaproletariaadile ja leninlikule rasketööstuse eelisedendamisele talupoegade toetatud revolutsiooni ning detsentraliseeritud agraarmajandust, mis põhineb kolhoosidel.