The Department of the International Communist Movement Holds the First Academic Salon of 2022
On the afternoon of March 16, 2022, the Department of International Communist Movement Studies of the Institute of Marxism Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) invited Professor Xi Guangqing—a researcher at the Institute of Contemporary Socialism at Shandong University and the Institute of History of the Development of Marxism-Leninism at Renmin University of China—to deliver a report to all research staff titled "Expanding and Deepening the Study of World Socialism." The meeting was chaired by Professor Pan Jine, Director of the Department of International Communist Movement Studies, and attended by all department personnel and researchers from other departments.
I. Research Traditions and Suggestions Regarding the Discipline of the International Communist Movement
Professor Xi Guangqing graduated in July 1960 from the "History of the International Communist Movement" major at Renmin University of China and remained there to teach, becoming one of the first undergraduate students in this major trained in our country. Combining his personal experience in studying the history of the international communist movement, Professor Xi first reviewed the history of the creation and development of the disciplines of the international communist movement and scientific socialism. By sorting through the basic categories and logical relationships of related disciplines at different levels—including the international communist movement, scientific socialism, world socialism, political science, and Marxist theory—Professor Xi provided a systematic exposition of the internal logic and external factors in the development of the discipline.
Professor Xi argued that only by using the term "modern socialism" can one express the rich historical connotations of the proletarian movement originating in Europe. In 1875, Engels defined "modern socialism" for the first time: "The change which modern socialism seeks to effect is, briefly, the victory of the proletariat over the bourgeoisie and the establishment of a new social organization through the abolition of all class distinctions." This is a concise and vivid classic expression of the socialist nature, mission, and goals of the working class. In 1887, Engels defined Marx's position in the history of socialist development as the "great founder of modern socialism." Engels used terms like "modern socialism" and "modern workers' socialism" primarily to clarify that socialism is the revolutionary practice of modern workers, de-emphasizing academic color so it could be more easily understood and accepted by the worker masses. Today, socialism has developed into a world-historical movement and has become the living social practice of hundreds of millions of people; we must understand Engels' thoughts more deeply. Therefore, Professor Xi suggested using Engels' term "modern socialism" to restore its proper status in the history of socialist development.
II. The Valuable Legacy of 20th-Century Modern Socialism Should Be Studied Deeply
Professor Xi pointed out that the 20th century was a great century in which modern socialism marched forward in triumph despite developing through twists and turns. In a century of sharp global class contradictions, intense social upheaval, and frequent wars between great powers, the modern socialist movement set off magnificent revolutionary waves and wrote grand historical chapters that shook the world, though it also encountered errors and setbacks. Modern socialism has always moved toward victory by struggling heroically, summarizing experience, grasping objective laws, upholding truth, and correcting mistakes. We should self-assuredly learn from errors and setbacks to enhance our theoretical understanding and open a new journey for modern socialism.
To meet the requirements of advancing modern socialism and developing 21st-century Marxism, Professor Xi believes several significant topics require in-depth exploration.
First, we must thoroughly liberate ourselves from Soviet dogmatic Marxism and develop 21st-century Marxism. The British Marxist historian Eric Hobsbawm argued that "the Marx of the 21st century will almost certainly be different from the Marx of the 20th century." Marxism must be upheld, but dogmatism must be discarded. The Communist Party of China (CPC) holds high the great banner of Marxism, emancipates the mind, seeks truth from facts, puts people first, innovates through change, correctly reflects on lessons from experience, launches the great revolution of reform and opening up, and creates socialism with Chinese characteristics. This is a great victory in inheriting and developing Marxism.
Second, we must break the rigid view that socialism is unchanging or "set in one mold" [1], and promote the development of modern socialism in diverse, pluralistic, and multi-lineage forms. The rigid thinking of "one path, one model, one system, and one center" promoted by the CPSU and the Comintern has been transcended by history and reality. Diversity and pluralism are historical laws of modern socialist development. In the new century, we must uphold the basic principles of scientific socialism, combine them with contemporary conditions, summarize practical results, deepen understanding, innovate theory, and advance the theory and practice of modern socialism.
Third, we must adapt to the changes of the times and the development of the movement, innovate the theory of social revolution, and advance the great social revolution of reform and opening up. The CPC summarized lessons, inherited and developed Lenin's ideas, and created the theory and policy of comprehensive reform and opening up. It defined reform and opening up as a "great revolution" and regarded the revolution of the productive forces as the most fundamental revolution for eliminating classes and building a new society of common prosperity. Innovating the concept of social revolution from history and reality and taking the path of reform and opening up is the greatest secret to the resolute rise of 20th-century modern socialism amidst hardships and setbacks.
Fourth, we must fully recognize the long-term, complex, and arduous nature of socialist construction and overcome "acute communism" [2]. We should profoundly absorb the lessons of the 20th century. In the new century, we must keep a clear head, calmly analyze objective and subjective conditions, recognize the laws of the objective world, and fully estimate the long, difficult, and complex struggle process of the movement, preventing the mindset of rushing for results, reaching the goal in one step, or achieving success in a single stroke.
Fifth, we must adhere to the principles of independence and equal association, elevating internationalism to the level of the New Era. The lessons of 20th-century world socialism and the international communist movement, along with contemporary conditions such as economic globalization and the world becoming a "global village," require us to combine independence with concerted effort, and national grounding with equal association. We must create new ways and forms of upholding internationalism, striving to build a community with a shared future for humanity and to win a beautiful future for human society.
III. Profoundly Grasp the Laws of Development of 21st-Century Modern Socialism
In the new century, modern socialist transformation is undergoing new explorations, creating new forms, proposing new views, formulating new strategies, and opening new horizons. Professor Xi argued that we must deepen our understanding of the laws of modern socialist development with a brand-new perspective.
First, strengthen research on the process, manifestations, and impact of the evolution of modern capitalism. The capitalist mode of production, basic contradictions, and class relations are the basis and conditions for the emergence and development of modern socialism. To grasp changes in the conditions, processes, subjects, and short-term goals of the modern socialist movement, we must systematically study the ceaseless changes of capitalism. Thus, we need to continuously reveal the structural contradictions of capitalism as well as contradictions in the mode of production, class contradictions, and social contradictions, providing in-depth analysis of capitalist crises, the evolutionary process, and the new forms and essence of capitalism.
Second, under the conditions of "changes unseen in a century" [3], we must deepen our understanding of the conditions, processes, modes of struggle, and short-term goals of modern socialist transformation. History shows that the logical relationship between capitalist economic crises and social revolution is changing. We must continuously recognize new conditions and propose new views based on these changes. We should study the historical logic and contemporary characteristics of social revolution in the new century, form a new understanding of the relationship between economic crises and social revolution, accurately grasp the conditions and paths of the movement, and innovate the theory and strategy of social revolution.
Third, with a global vision and an inclusive heart, observe and recognize the new struggles and waves of people around the world against monopoly capital. Advanced socialist parties must uphold the basic principles of scientific socialism and, based on the conditions of the times and their own national circumstances, thoroughly shed their "foreign clothes" and walk their own path. The powerful historical engine of the new century and the leading role of socialism with Chinese characteristics have pushed modern socialist revolutionary transformation to a new stage; any view that clings to old conventions, remains pessimistic, or "holds onto the broken and preserves the flawed" [4] is undesirable.
Fourth, track and study left-wing movements in capitalist countries. In the new century, left-wing political groups in some developed countries are seizing opportunities arising from social fragmentation and systemic decay. Currently, there are dozens of social-democratic left-wing groups in the United States. In the new century, the wide activity of social-democratic movements in the most frantically anti-communist country, the United States, is a political event of extraordinary significance. This shows that the American people are adopting an American socialist way to carry out the struggle against monopoly hegemony and oligarchy, while also reflecting the decaying, declining, and crisis-ridden state of American capitalism. At present, these struggles are still in the budding stage; we must observe and study them carefully, respect the facts and the creations of the American people, and avoid simply attaching labels or treating them with contempt.
Fifth, advance the theory of labor party building with the times, absorb the achievements of modern party civilization, and open a path for the construction of advanced political parties. The two great revolutions of the 20th century (the Russian and Chinese Revolutions) both creatively applied Marxist party-building theory based on national realities and the development of the times. They forged strong parties that were politically robust, ideologically advanced, organizationally rigorous, and firm in their work style, leading the people to forge ahead and win great victories. Party leadership is the most essential feature of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Amidst changes unseen in a century, modern political parties have increasingly become an important force for social progress. The CPC continuously summarizes the achievements and experiences of a century of Party building, draws on the achievements of modern party civilization, and builds itself into a stronger and more powerful entity. It provides Chinese experience and wisdom for strengthening global party cooperation, seeking the happiness of the people, and opening a new horizon for the development of modern party civilization.
Professor Xi pointed out that modern socialism is rooted in the people and the times; it is a historical movement full of vitality that continuously breaks new ground. Modern socialist transformation in the 21st century will certainly uphold the fundamentals and break new ground, achieving new development and transcendence. Our research must "climb high to see far" [5], embrace the globe, base itself on practice and a problem-oriented approach, and be bold in innovation while seeking truth from facts.
IV. Strengthen Research on Socialist Movements in Emerging Economies
Professor Xi believes that in the new century, the development path and basic experience of socialism with Chinese characteristics have important referential significance and a leading role for the transformation and development of emerging economies. Furthermore, emerging economies have become the most active regions for modern socialist transformation, and research on the socialist movements and trends in these countries should be given a prominent position.
The rise of emerging economies stems from a sublation [6] and transformation of the capitalist mode of production and economic system by these nations. It is a revolutionary attempt to explore non-capitalist development paths and social models, which is closely linked to socialism with Chinese characteristics and should not be understood as the perfection or development of the world capitalist system. From the perspective of the international power structure, these are countries and nations that have grown out of the underdeveloped world in an era of multi-polarization, economic globalization, IT-based society, and cultural diversity, wishing both to accelerate development and to maintain their independence. They are no longer appendages of international capital forces, but important forces for opposing hegemonism and power politics, promoting world peace, human development, and cooperation, and participating in the cause of building a community with a shared future for humanity.
In the new century, emerging economies have become regions where the ideological forms, lines, strategies, and means of modern socialist transformation are constantly innovating. Contemporary China is the world's largest emerging economy. The creation and development of socialism with Chinese characteristics—through its achievements and examples in material, political, spiritual, and ecological civilization—demonstrates the superiority of socialism and the vitality, attraction, and influence of modern socialism, making China a powerful leader of the world socialist movement. Emerging economies and nations increasingly value China’s experience and practices in exploring their own independent development paths. Working-class parties and revolutionary groups in some countries have formulated and implemented independent programs, attained governing status through revolutionary means or democratic and legal channels, and adhered to a people-centered, independent, and social justice-oriented approach. They carry out reforms and updates to promote economic and social development, improve people’s livelihoods, and develop education and culture, attempting to explore a modernization path and development strategy different from that of European and American countries.
Finally, Professor Xi pointed out that while struggle inevitably suffers setbacks, "failure is the mother of success." The dawn of the victory of the great revolution for the liberation of the proletariat and humanity is ahead. Systematically summarizing and comparatively studying the process and experience of the great social revolutions of the world's people has great significance for our Party leading the people to carry the great social revolution of socialism with Chinese characteristics through to the end. He stated that CASS has the nation's strongest research team on the international communist movement. As long as they arm their minds with Comrade Xi Jinping’s thoughts on persisting in theoretical innovation, independence, having a global vision, and daring to struggle; maintain self-confidence and self-reliance; uphold the fundamentals and break new ground; work hard and forge ahead with fortitude; continuously summarize lessons; grasp the great changes in world development; and deepen their understanding of the laws of modern socialism in the new century, they will be able to make active contributions to the continuous development of contemporary Chinese Marxism and 21st-century Marxism.
In the discussion session, Professor Pan Jine introduced the organizational structure, personnel composition, and research results of the Department to Professor Xi, and thanked him for his selfless academic guidance, which helped everyone broaden their thinking on the study of the international communist movement and inspired them to think about new issues. Professor Xi also answered questions from the attendees on specific issues in international communist movement research.
(Contributed by Liu Xiangyang)