Hou Huiqin: Marx's Critique of Ideology and Contemporary China
Marx’s critique of ideology is a fundamental component of the scientific worldview of dialectical materialism. Since the founding of New China [1], and particularly منذ its entrance into the new historical period of reform and opening up, the development of Marxism in China has consistently unfolded within the profound dialectical relationship between "the critique of ideology" and "the construction of ideology." In the New Era, correctly grasping the essence of Marx’s critique of ideology and its contemporary value is of paramount significance for upholding the guiding position of Marxism, advancing the Sinicization of Marxism, and promoting the healthy development of the socialist cause with Chinese characteristics.
Marx’s critique of ideology did not originate from a purely abstract theoretical impulse, but from the practical necessity of the proletarian revolution. In works such as The German Ideology, Marx and Engels thoroughly liquidated [2] their former philosophical consciousness and, through a critique of Young Hegelianism, revealed the class nature and illusory character of bourgeois ideology. They pointed out that the ruling ideas of each age have ever been the ideas of its ruling class. Ideology, as a specific form of the superstructure, is determined by the economic base and serves the consolidation and development of certain relations of production. This profound insight laid the theoretical foundation for us to recognize the essence of various non-Marxist and anti-Marxist ideological trends in the contemporary world.
In the process of promoting Chinese-path modernization, we face an extremely complex ideological environment. On one hand, we must persist in the "Two Establishments" and the "Two Upholds," continuously strengthening the leading role of Marxism in the ideological field; on the other hand, we must remain highly vigilant against the erosion caused by "Four Winds" and various erroneous trends of thought. Marx’s critique of ideology teaches us that ideology is not a neutral discourse system, but a concentrated reflection of interest relations and class positions. Therefore, we must seek truth from facts, uphold the fundamentals and break new ground, and maintain the creative vitality of Marxist theory while resolutely resisting the "peaceful evolution" [3] strategy of Western hostile forces.
Furthermore, we must recognize that the socialist ideology of the New Era is a unity of scientificity and partisanship. Unlike the illusory ideology of the exploiting classes, Marxist ideology is based on a scientific understanding of the laws of social development and represents the fundamental interests of the broadest masses of the people. Through the practice of comprehensively and strictly governing the Party and self-revolution, our Party has continuously purified its political ecosystem and strengthened its ideological Party building. This is not only a continuation but also a creative development of Marx’s theory of ideology.
To ensure that the "community with a shared future for humanity" gains broader international recognition and to promote the high-quality development of our economy and society, we must persist over the long term in building an ideological system with strong cohesive and leading powers. This requires us to correctly handle the relationship between the productive forces and the relations of production, ensuring that the development of the economic base and the progress of the superstructure reinforce one another. Only by doing so can we truly realize common prosperity and successfully advance the great cause of the Sinicization of Marxism in the 21st century.