The productive forces largely move independent of individual ideas, but by real, physical mechanisms. Marx believed Socialism to succeed Capitalism not because of an inherent idea of moral superiority, but because Capitalism naturally forms monopolist syndicates, centralizing and socializing itself, making itself ripe for public ownership and management. This is why Marx and Engels repeatedly stated that Private Property could not be abolished overnight. The role of the DotP is to wrest from the bourgeoisie its Capital as it has socialized, steadily increasing and socializing the productive forces.

This is why Marx says the bourgeoisie produces, above all else, its own gravediggers. I recommend reading the article I linked, the author also has another article called Socialism Developed China, Not Capitalism. Mao was able to develop the productive forces, but due to socializing too early there were recessions and struggles. This was a left-deviation, Maoism as Marxism-Leninism applied to China's conditions had reached a less useful stage, where Deng moved rightward, back as Marxism-Leninism applied to China's conditions of the late 20th century, and now Xi is a reversion to a leftward point now that China is socializing more and more and exerting more control over their markets, in a sort of birdcage model where Capital can only move with their consent in plans and lines directed by the CPC. Deng's analysis using Marxism-Leninism served its purpose, as did Mao's, both served critical points in the PRC's history before being succeeded by new analysis for new material conditions.

I'm sure a more well-read comrade will be able to offer better explanations, however. I'm still a baby ML