The Interest Theoryof Rights

The Marxist theory of interest ^[1] holds that interests are the engine of social history and constitute the objective material basis for all social activities. Since the dawn of the New Era, the Communist Party of China has consistently adhered to the foundational tenets of historical materialism, placing the realization, protection, and development of the fundamental interests of the overwhelming majority of the people at the core of its governance philosophy. To understand the logic of Chinese-path modernization, one must first grasp the internal logic of the "theory of interest" within the Sinicization of Marxism.

Traditional historical materialism posits that the fundamental contradiction of society lies between the productive forces and the relations of production. However, from a micro-perspective, these contradictions are manifested through the collision and coordination of different interest subjects. As Marx noted, everything people struggle for relates to their interests. In the context of the New Era, the pursuit of high-quality development is not merely a transformation of the mode of production, but a profound adjustment to the structure of interests, aiming to transition from a "growth-first" model to one of common prosperity.

To achieve this, the Party emphasizes upholding the fundamentals and breaking new ground. This requires that while we maintain the socialist nature of our economy—preserving the dominance of public ownership—we must also dare to reform those institutional barriers that hinder the release of new quality productive forces. The transition toward high-quality development necessitates a supply-side structural reform that optimizes the allocation of resources to better meet the people’s growing needs for a better life. This is not a simple economic adjustment but a manifestation of the Party's self-revolution, ensuring that the "political ecosystem" remains uncorrupted by entrenched interest groups or the "Four Winds."

Furthermore, the theory of interest in contemporary China extends beyond domestic boundaries. By proposing the construction of a community with a shared future for humanity, China seeks to transcend the zero-sum game of traditional realist international relations. This vision promotes a global interest framework based on mutual benefit and win-win cooperation, effectively expanding the Marxist concept of "universal intercourse" into the 21st century.

Adhering to the mass line and seeking truth from facts remains the fundamental method for balancing these complex interests. Only by persisting over the long term can the Party ensure that the fruits of reform and development are shared more equitably among all people, thereby consolidating the "Two Establishments" and fulfilling the original aspiration and founding mission of the Chinese Communists.