Liu Jianjun: On the Fundamental Nature of Marxism as a Guiding Ideology
The report of the 20th National Congress of the CPC provided a profound and comprehensive exposition on "opening a new realm in the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism," in which a foundational and prerequisite element is the confirmation and reaffirmation of the guiding significance of Marxism. The guiding status and role of Marxism is not a new topic; it has been discussed at every Party Congress and emphasized many times by Party and state leaders. In particular, General Secretary Xi Jinping has repeatedly emphasized that Marxism is our banner and soul. The discourse on this issue in the 20th National Congress report contains new developments; a prominent new characteristic is its focus on the fundamental nature of the guiding significance of Marxism, which it elaborates upon. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out in the report: "Marxism is the fundamental guiding ideology upon which our Party and country are founded and thrive. Practice has told us that why the Communist Party of China 'can,' and why socialism with Chinese characteristics is 'good,' is, in the final analysis, because Marxism 'works,' and because the Sinicized and modernized Marxism 'works.' Possessing the guidance of scientific Marxist theory is the fundamental basis for our Party to firm up its ideals and convictions and to grasp historical initiative." This passage is concentrated, its viewpoints are sharp, its thought is systematic, and its connotations are extremely rich. We must understand it profoundly; therefore, a comprehensive explanation from a theoretical perspective is essential.
The "Three Fundamentals" and the Three Subjects
In the report of the 20th National Congress, General Secretary Xi Jinping discussed the fundamental nature of Marxism as a guiding ideology from three aspects, which can be summarized as the proposal and emphasis of the "Three Fundamentals." The first "fundamental" is the "fundamental guiding ideology," namely that "Marxism is the fundamental guiding ideology upon which our Party and country are founded and thrive." The second "fundamental" is the "fundamental basis" [1], namely that "possessing the guidance of scientific Marxist theory is the fundamental basis for our Party to firm up its ideals and convictions and to grasp historical initiative." The third "fundamental" is the "final analysis" [2], namely that "practice has told us... in the final analysis, it is because Marxism works." These three "fundamentals" are the strongest expressions of the importance of Marxism as a guiding ideology and constitute a comprehensive discourse on the fundamental significance of Marxist guidance. They possess rich and profound connotations and represent an innovation in our Party’s articulation of its guiding ideology.
To whom, then, is this "fundamental significance" directed? This is a question of the "subject of value" (jiàzhí zhǔtǐ). Whether any matter is important, and to what degree it is important, is always relative to a specific subject of value. If the subject of value differs—particularly if the standpoint of the subject differs—then entirely different judgments can be made regarding the importance of the same matter. The discourse in the 20th National Congress report regarding the fundamental significance of Marxism emphasizes its extreme importance; clearly, there must be specific subjects of value here. So, relative to which subject or subjects is the importance of Marxism fundamental? From the discourse of the report, we see there are three subjects of value: the Party, the Country, and the Cause. The fundamental significance of Marxist guidance is, first, relative to our Party—the Communist Party of China—indicating that Marxism is the fundamental guiding ideology for the founding and thriving of the Party, the fundamental basis for the Party to firm up its convictions and grasp historical initiative, and the fundamental reason why the Party "can." Second, it is relative to our country—the People's Republic of China—indicating that Marxism is the fundamental guiding ideology for the founding and thriving of the New China and the fundamental guarantee of its prosperity. Third, it is relative to our cause—the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics—indicating that the reason why socialism with Chinese characteristics is "good" is, in the final analysis, because Marxism "works."
These three subjects of value and their interrelationships provide three dimensions and lines of thought for us to deeply understand and grasp the guiding status and role of Marxism. Although in the phrasing of the 20th National Congress report the three fundamentals are integrated and do not have a simple one-to-one correspondence with the three subjects of value, a theoretical analysis reveals that the fundamental significance of Marxism can be reflected across these three dimensions: the Party, the Country, and the Cause—manifested as founding and thriving the Party, the Country, and the Cause respectively. We can certainly examine and discuss them separately, provided we never forget their organic connection.
The Fundamental Guiding Ideology for Founding and Thriving the Party
The guiding ideology of Marxism is addressed first to the Party. The fundamental significance of this guidance is first and primarily manifested in its meaning for the founding and thriving of the Party. Only by clarifying this point can we further grasp the significance of Marxism for our country and the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics.
Marxism is the fundamental guiding ideology for "founding the Party" (lìdǎng). "Founding" here includes two aspects: first, creation and establishment, i.e., "getting established" (lìdeqǐ); second, self-reliance and standing tall, i.e., "standing firm" (lìdezhu). The CPC is the product of the integration of Marxism with the Chinese workers' movement. Without the existence of Marxism, its spread in China, the faith of the CPC pioneers in it, and its integration with the workers' movement, the CPC could not have been born. Thus, Marxism is the ideological and theoretical prerequisite for the Party’s creation. Of course, not everything that is established can "stand firm." Some political parties collapse shortly after their founding when faced with difficulties and complex situations. The reason our Party has been able to stand tall amidst fierce storms and become the "mainstay" (zhōngliúdǐzhù) [3] of the cause of the Chinese people's liberation is inseparable from the ideological guidance and spiritual support of Marxism. In this sense, Marxism is the marker of independence that distinguishes our Party from other parties, providing us with a spiritual "backbone" (zhǔxīngǔ).
Marxism is also the fundamental guiding ideology for "thriving the Party" (xīngdǎng). After a party is established, it must not only stand firm but also continuously develop and grow. If founding the Party is the prerequisite and foundation, then thriving the Party is the realization and guarantee. It is precisely because our Party has continuously grown and developed that it can always stand firm and steady when the wind and rain arrive, moving toward new victories. The development and growth of our Party can be seen intuitively in its numbers: from a small party of just over 50 people at its inception to the world's largest governing party with over 96 million members today; this is unique in the history of global political parties. This, of course, has multiple causes, but fundamentally, it is inseparable from the scientific theoretical guidance of Marxism. Furthermore, it is extremely rare that over a century of growth, our Party has consistently maintained its nature, color, and character—never "deteriorating, changing color, or losing its flavor" [4]. Its nature and purpose remain unchanged, the color of its banner remains the same, and its spiritual disposition has not dissipated. Some political parties and organizations in the world, after absorbing too many members and growing large, see their nature change and forget their original aspiration and founding mission. Our Party has been able to remain true to its original aspiration after a century and remain evergreen because it has upheld the guiding status of Marxism, firmed up its Marxist ideals and convictions, and maintained its own advanced nature and purity.
As the fundamental guiding ideology for founding and thriving the Party, how does Marxism exert its guiding role? What is its inherent basic mechanism? The discourse in the 20th National Congress report—that "possessing the guidance of scientific Marxist theory is the fundamental basis for our Party to firm up its ideals and convictions and to grasp historical initiative"—profoundly reveals this mechanism. It elucidates the significance of Marxism for our Party from two basic aspects. Among these, "firming up ideals and convictions" primarily reveals the role of Marxism as a spiritual pillar and spiritual driving force; "grasping historical initiative" primarily reveals the role of Marxism as a method of thought and a strategic policy. These two aspects are indispensable and complementary.
Possessing the guidance of scientific Marxist theory is the fundamental basis for our Party to firm up its ideals and convictions. As a Marxist party, ours is a party of firm ideals and convictions and powerful faith. There are hundreds or thousands of political parties in the world, but not all of them possess faith, and in fact, the vast majority do not have a faith as clear and firm as ours. Some Western "electoral parties" exist only for elections; they may be said to have certain political beliefs, but not clear and firm political faith. Other parties may have specific political faiths but lack a complete worldview. For instance, while members of the Chinese Kuomintang [5] politically believe in the "Three People's Principles," they lack a common faith regarding their worldview; thus, some believe in Buddhism, some in Daoism, some in Confucius, and some in Christ. Such a party cannot have truly powerful faith. In contrast, the Communist Party has both a socio-political faith in socialism and communism and a complete worldview—the scientific faith of Marxism. Of course, Communist Parties in different countries vary; many allow religious believers to join the Party or allow members to hold religious beliefs, whereas the CPC explicitly requires that its members only believe in Marxism. This is the strictest and highest requirement. Clearly, for Chinese Communists, firming up ideals and convictions cannot be separated from scientific Marxist theory.
Possessing the guidance of scientific Marxist theory is also the fundamental basis for our Party to grasp "historical initiative" (lìshǐ zhǔdòng). The 20th National Congress emphasized "firming up historical confidence and grasping historical initiative," indicating that the latter is of great importance. Only by grasping historical initiative can we succeed in our cause, fulfill our mission, and enable ourselves to continuously grow and develop. Grasping historical initiative requires keen observation and scientific judgment of changing situations to determine our strategies and policies. To do this, one must master the laws of history and grasp the general trend of history—all of which are inseparable from the guidance of Marxism. Marxism is a scientific worldview and methodology; it scientifically reveals the laws of historical development and provides fundamental scientific guidance for the Party's struggle and practice, enabling the Party to grasp the general trend and historical initiative. Moreover, Marxism is a powerful form of strategic thinking. It possesses outstanding significance for guiding our Party in strategic planning and implementation, in dealing with complex and ever-changing contradictions, and in maintaining strategic focus and strategic initiative.
The reason the CPC "can" is, in the final analysis, because Marxism "works" and Sinicized and modernized Marxism "works." Here, "can" (néng) refers to being capable of achieving things and establishing a cause; this is a new dimension. It is a different perspective from the growth of the Party itself. For our Party, growth is not the end in itself; the end is to seek happiness for the people and rejuvenation for the Chinese nation—to accomplish great deeds and create a great cause. Therefore, the question of "capability" (néng) vs "incapability" (bùnéng) must be examined separately. Throughout a century of struggle and brilliance, the Party's capability has been fully verified by history and widely recognized by the people. So, why "can" the Party do this? Why does it possess such strong capability, and why can it accomplish such great deeds? The reasons are manifold—such as the individual quality of members, the talents tempered in practice, and the manifestation of the Chinese nation's excellent qualities within the Party. However, in the "final analysis," it is because "Marxism works" and "Sinicized and modernized Marxism works." The historical resolution adopted by the Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th CPC Central Committee elucidated this profoundly: "Over the past century, the Party has consistently written Marxism on its banner, continuously promoted the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism, absorbed all the outstanding achievements of human civilization with a broad mind, and led great practices with the scientific theories of Sinicized Marxism. The scientific and truthful nature of Marxism has been fully tested in China; its people-centered and practical nature has been fully implemented in China; and its open and contemporary nature has been fully displayed in China."
The Fundamental Guiding Ideology for Founding and Thriving the Country
Marxism is not only the fundamental guiding ideology for founding and thriving the Party but also for founding and thriving the country. Because the CPC and the People's Republic of China are closely linked, the Party led the people of all ethnic groups to found this country and, as the long-term governing party, leads the country toward prosperity. Consequently, after the founding of the New China, the Party's guiding ideology also became the country's guiding ideology.
Marxism is the fundamental guiding ideology for the establishment of our nation. First, the prerequisite for the founding of New China was laid by the Party leading the people under the guidance of Marxism. Without the guidance of scientific Marxist theory, it would have been impossible to achieve victory in the New Democratic Revolution [6], overthrow the rule of the reactionary Kuomintang regime, and establish New China. Second, the national character and social system of New China were established under the guidance of Marxism. The Communist Party of China (CPC) leading the Chinese people to establish New China was entirely different from the dynastic changes [7] of history; it was not a restart of the previous historical cycles, but rather the establishment of a brand-new state and an advanced socialist system, which necessitated scientific theoretical guidance. Marxism is the guiding ideology for our country's institutional design, which determines the class nature of our state power and the socialist nature of the country’s basic economic and political systems. The Constitution of the People's Republic of China explicitly stipulates that the PRC is a socialist state under the people's democratic dictatorship, led by the working class and based on the alliance of workers and peasants. This is classic Marxist discourse and a concentrated expression of Marxist principles. The report to the 20th CPC National Congress restated and emphasized this sentence, further demonstrating that this is the "ballast stone" and "navigation star" [8] for our country's reform and development. Finally, the reason New China has been able to stand tall among the forest of the world's nations, consistently maintaining its spiritual independence and safeguarding the fundamental interests of national development, is also inseparable from the ideological guidance and spiritual support of Marxism.
Marxism is also the fundamental guiding ideology for "prospering the nation." Whether a country can thrive and flourish is influenced by various factors and conditions, a very important aspect of which is whether it possesses a scientific guiding ideology and a strong spiritual pillar. If a country lacks its own guiding ideology and is instead randomly influenced by various ideologies and cultures, it will fall into ideological confusion, the people will be at a loss, and national development will inevitably take detours. If a country has a clear guiding ideology, but that ideology is unscientific or lags behind the times, its development will likewise be severely restricted. As a socialist country, New China possesses its own clear and scientific guiding ideology; therefore, regarding the direction of national development, it can achieve ideological awareness and spiritual awakening, reaching a state of being "conscious and self-determined." Consequently, Marxism not only could "save China" but can also "develop China." Moreover, only by adhering to and developing Marxism—particularly Sinicized and modernized Marxism—can we truly develop China. It is precisely under the guidance of Marxism that the Chinese nation achieved the great leap from "standing up" to "becoming prosperous," and has ushered in the great leap toward "becoming strong" in the New Era.
The foundation of a nation lies in its people; prospering the nation focuses on prospering the people. National prosperity is not an end in itself; the goal and endgame are to enable the people to live and work in peace, lead happy lives, and achieve well-rounded development. Properly handling the relationship between national strength and people's happiness, and reaching the latter through the former, is inseparable from the guidance of Marxism and its basic principle that the masses are the creators of history. Marxism is a theory of the people, and its "people-centered nature" is its essential attribute. In a socialist country, Marxism is not only a scientific theory for national security and state governance but also a scientific theory for "ordering the world and succoring the people" (jingshi jimin) [9], and a scientific theory guiding the people toward a better life. It requires us, in the process of national construction and development, to persist in a people-centered approach and always remember that the people's aspiration for a better life is the Party's goal of struggle, as well as the objective and significance of national development.
The Fundamental Guiding Ideology for Initiating and Advancing the Cause
The development of the Party and the country is concentrated in the development of the "cause" (shiye). The "cause" here refers to the cause of the Party and the people, particularly the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Of course, looking at the century-long history of the CPC’s struggle, the cause of the Party and the people has had different manifestations and expressions in different periods: it was the cause of revolution during the New Democratic Revolution; the great cause of nation-building after the victory of the revolution; the cause of socialist transformation and socialist construction after the founding of New China; and the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics since the beginning of reform and opening up, and especially since the New Era. Marxism, as the guiding ideology of the Party and the state, is further manifested as the guiding ideology for initiating and advancing the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics. There are various reasons why socialism with Chinese characteristics has succeeded and why it enjoys the support of the people, but in the final analysis, it lies in the guidance of Marxism and the guidance of Sinicized and modernized Marxism.
"Capable" (neng), "effective" (xing), and "good" (hao) [10] are the language of the masses; they are the affirmative evaluations given by the people toward the Party, Marxism, and socialism with Chinese characteristics. General Secretary Xi Jinping has not only explicitly affirmed these folk expressions but has further clarified the relationship between the three, pointing out: "Why the Communist Party of China is capable and why socialism with Chinese characteristics is good is, in the final analysis, because Marxism is effective, and Sinicized and modernized Marxism is effective." This indicates that the effectiveness of Marxism and its Sinicized and modernized forms is not only the fundamental reason why the CPC is "capable" but also the fundamental reason why socialism with Chinese characteristics is "good." Furthermore, this internal causal relationship is not merely a hidden logical connection to be grasped theoretically; it is a manifest embodiment in practice that people can sense in their actual lives and personal experiences. For this reason, when General Secretary Xi Jinping discussed the relationship between "capable," "effective," and "good" in the report to the 20th CPC National Congress, he used the introductory phrase "Practice has told us."
The premise of asking why socialism with Chinese characteristics is good is the acknowledgment that it is good. The formation of this positive, high-level evaluation was, of course, a process. When China's reform and opening up began, and when "socialism with Chinese characteristics" first appeared as a new phenomenon, there were people both at home and abroad who shook their heads in doubt, questioning whether it could succeed or if it was truly good. Some people, proceeding from personal subjective will or rigid mindsets, did not favor this cause, held a cynical attitude toward it, and even asserted it was destined for failure. However, as China's reform, opening up, and modernization continuously achieved new and immense successes—especially as socialism with Chinese characteristics entered the New Era and as Chinese-path modernization achieved world-renowned success—"socialism with Chinese characteristics is good" has gained the shared recognition of the Chinese people and the recognition of unbiased people worldwide. Consequently, people have begun to shift their focus from whether it can succeed to what the reasons for its success are, representing both a change in attitude and a deepening of understanding.
Socialism with Chinese characteristics is good, in the final analysis, because Marxism is effective. In interpreting "why socialism with Chinese characteristics is good," views are not unanimous. Some mistakenly believe that the reason China's reform, opening up, and modernization achieved world-renowned success is that the guidance of Marxism was diluted, socialist principles were abandoned, and the "panacea" of capitalism was utilized, thus interpreting "socialism with Chinese characteristics" as "capitalism with Chinese characteristics" in essence. Such an interpretation is, of course, completely erroneous; it mistakes means for ends and takes a part for the whole. General Secretary Xi Jinping's discourse on "why socialism with Chinese characteristics is good" truly reveals the fundamental reason for China's development and strength. General Secretary Xi has repeatedly pointed out that socialism with Chinese characteristics both adheres to the basic principles of scientific socialism and possesses distinct Chinese characteristics. He also stated that socialism with Chinese characteristics is socialism, not any other "ism." Indeed, the success of socialism with Chinese characteristics proves the truth of the basic tenets of Marxism and the basic principles of scientific socialism. Therefore, although the success of socialism with Chinese characteristics has multiple causes, in the final analysis, it is because "Marxism is effective," because Marxism guides us along the correct path.
Socialism with Chinese characteristics is good, in the final analysis, because Sinicized and modernized Marxism is effective. The thesis that "Marxism is effective" contains two levels of meaning: first, the basic principles of Marxism are effective, are not outdated, and still possess the vibrant power of truth today; second, the theoretical achievements of the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism—especially Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era—are effective and have a more direct guiding role for China's reform and development. The first level is the foundation, while the second level is the focus. The history of the Chinese revolution, construction, reform, and development fully proves that while unswervingly adhering to the basic principles of Marxism, we must combine these principles with China's specific realities and with the best of China's traditional culture, advancing the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism with the times, and using an evolving Marxism to guide new practices. The success of China’s reform, opening up, and socialist modernization is not only the result of our exploration and pastoral trial-and-error in practice but, more importantly, the result of our conscious theoretical innovation used to guide practice; it is the result of the scientific guidance of the theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and especially Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. Precisely for this reason, the 20th CPC National Congress separated "Sinicized and modernized Marxism is effective" from "Marxism is effective" and articulated it as a distinct statement.
On the new journey of the New Era, to further advance the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics, we must adhere to and develop Marxism. Building a modern socialist country in all respects and advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through Chinese-path modernization offers a bright future, yet the task is heavy and the road is long. We must, with a high degree of theoretical consciousness, adhere to and develop Marxism, and continuously advance the cause of the Party and the people while upholding the fundamentals and breaking new ground. On one hand, we must persist in the fundamental system of Marxism’s guiding position in the field of ideology, remain unswerving in the basic principles of Marxism, and persist in using Marxist positions, viewpoints, and methods to observe, analyze, and solve the difficult problems we face. On the other hand, we must further promote the "two combinations," [11] constantly opening up new realms of Sinicized and modernized Marxism and writing new chapters in this endeavor. As contemporary Chinese Marxism and 21st-century Marxism, Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is ever-evolving. We must integrate the realities and needs of the New Era and the new journey to further advance the academic and systematic development of this scientific thought, arming our minds and advancing our work with the evolving Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and striving to achieve the great goals of building a strong country and national rejuvenation.
(The author’s affiliation: School of Marxism studies, Renmin University of China) Online Editor: Tongxin Source: Contemporary Chinese Marxism Studies, 2023, Issue 2.