If you'd like to print out this page, click the Print button above. Alternatively, you may click the printer icon on your browser's toolbar, or choose File>Print from the menu.     Mao on Labor and the State Working class power and state formation in Mao Zedong's thought, 1931-1934. Nick Knight. Journal of Contemporary Asia March 2002 v32 i1 p29(18) 1. Why was the peasantry important for Mao’s revolution? 2. How did Mao view the importance and role of the urban working class? 3. Why did he not bring his full attention to the working class until 1949? 4. How did Mao interact with workers from 1931 to 1934? 5. What were the major obstacles faced by Mao as he struggled to overthrow the nationalist government?