A Intellectual History of the 30 Years of Reform and Opening-up
A History of Thought Over 30 Years of Reform and Opening Up
Content Summary
To solemnly commemorate the 30th anniversary of Reform and Opening Up, the Central Propaganda Department and the General Administration of Press and Publication have organized the "Road to a Powerful Nation—Core Book Series Commemorating the 30th Anniversary of Reform and Opening Up." The purpose is to demonstrate, from a historical perspective, the great practice led by the Communist Party of China, the great creative spirit of the Chinese people, and the great journey and brilliant achievements of the 30 years of Reform and Opening Up. It aims to summarize the precious experience of these 30 years and explore the laws governing the development of human society, the laws of socialist construction, and the laws of the CPC’s governance. The series promotes Socialism with Chinese Characteristics and the Theoretical System of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics to deepen education regarding the Party's basic theory, basic line, basic program, and basic experience [1]. This ensures that the whole Party and people of all ethnic groups nationwide increase their consciousness and determination in upholding the theories, lines, principles, and policies established since the Third Plenary Session of the 11th CPC Central Committee. It further strengthens the resolve and confidence to continue advancing Reform and Opening Up and following the path of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics under new historical conditions. The series strives to create a favorable atmosphere for continuing to emancipate the mind, persisting in Reform and Opening Up, promoting scientific development, and fostering social harmony. It provides a powerful ideological guarantee for winning new victories in the comprehensive construction of a moderately prosperous society [2] and opening new frontiers for the cause of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics, inspiring the whole Party and the nation to work with one heart and one mind.
Table of Contents
Preface
General Survey: A New Great Revolution and a New Historical Leap I. Reform and Opening Up: The Key Choice Deciding the Fate of Contemporary China (1) Reform and Opening Up as an Inevitable Requirement for Liberating and Developing the Productive Forces (2) Reform and Opening Up as an Inevitable Requirement for Adapting to the New Technological Revolution and the Developments of the Era (3) Reform and Opening Up as the Self-Perfection and Development of the Socialist System (4) Reform and Opening Up as the Only Path Toward the Great Rejuvenation of the Chinese Nation (5) Reform and Opening Up Decides the Fate and Future of the World Socialist Movement II. Brilliant Achievements of 30 Years of Construction of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics (1) Rapid Economic Growth and Development into a Major Industrial Power (2) Socialist Democratic Politics Demonstrating Vigorous Vitality (3) Prosperous Development in the Construction of Socialist Culture with Chinese Characteristics (4) Comprehensive Launch of Social Construction and Significant Results in Building a Harmonious Society (5) Comprehensive Advancement of the New Great Project of Party Building (6) Socialist China Standing Tall in the East III. Fruitful Results in the Ideological Sphere over 30 Years of Reform and Opening Up (1) Deng Xiaoping Theory: A New Theoretical Form of Scientific Socialism (2) The Important Thought of "Three Represents": Sinicized Marxism Facing the 21st Century (3) The Scientific Outlook on Development: The Worldview and Methodology of Chinese Communists Regarding Development IV. Surging Social Trends and Ideological Disputes over 30 Years of Reform and Opening Up (1) Great Waves Washing Away the Sand [3]: The Emergence and Competition of Various Social Trends (2) Leading Social Trends with the Socialist Core Value System V. Methods and Significance of the Study of the History of Thought over 30 Years of Reform and Opening Up (1) Research Positioning (2) Research Methods (3) Research Significance
Part One: The Period of Initiation and Foundation of the Theoretical System of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics Marked Primarily by Deng Xiaoping Theory (1978–1992)
Introduction
Chapter 1: The Incubation of Reform and Opening Up Thought Section 1: Mao Zedong’s Early Explorations of the Path of Socialist Construction (1) Theoretical Contributions of Mao Zedong’s Exploration (2) Ideological Errors in Mao Zedong’s Exploration Section 2: The 1975 Rectification: The Incubation of Deng Xiaoping Theory (1) "Taking the Three Instructions as the Key Link" [4] (2) "The Whole Party Focusing on the Big Picture and Advancing the National Economy" (3) "Rectification Must Be Carried Out in All Fields" (4) "Comprehensively Publicize Mao Zedong Thought" (5) Reform and Opening Up Thought Contained in Three Famous Documents Section 3: Precursors to the Emancipation of the Mind (1) Awakening from the "Great Cultural Revolution" (2) Reflections of Revolutionaries and Theoretical Circles
Chapter 2: The Re-establishment of the Ideological Line of Seeking Truth from Facts Section 1: Deng Xiaoping Takes the Lead in Criticizing the "Two Whatevers" [5] (1) Continuation of "Leftist" Guiding Ideology and the Proposition of the "Two Whatevers" (2) Deng Xiaoping's Criticism of the "Two Whatevers" Section 2: The Great Discussion on the Criterion of Truth (1) Publication of "Practice is the Sole Criterion for Testing Truth" (2) Ideological Confrontation Surrounding the Criterion of Truth (3) "Make-up Lessons" on the Criterion of Truth Section 3: Deng Xiaoping’s "Talks in the North": "Emancipate the Mind, Break Through Forbidden Zones" (1) "Setting Fires Everywhere": A Call to Emancipate the Mind (2) Persisting in the Principle of Seeking Truth from Facts, Using One’s Brain, and Proceeding from Reality in All Matters (3) Developing Productive Forces and Shifting the Focus of Work to Economic Construction (4) Reconsidering Numerous Institutional Issues Section 4: The Manifesto for the Emancipation of the Mind (1) Ideological Confrontation at the Central Working Conference (2) Emancipate the Mind, Seek Truth from Facts, and Unite as One in Looking to the Future Section 5: The Third Plenary Session of the 11th CPC Central Committee: The Starting Point of Deng Xiaoping Theory (1) Re-establishing the Ideological Line of Seeking Truth from Facts (2) Proposing the New Policy of Reform, Opening Up, and Invigorating the Economy
Chapter 3: The Start of Reform and Opening Up and the Initial Formation of Deng Xiaoping Theory Section 1: Proposing the Four Cardinal Principles [6] (1) Erroneous Trends Emerging During the Process of Setting Things to Rights (2) Discussions at the Theoretical Seminar on Ideological Principles (3) Deng Xiaoping Proposes Adherence to the Four Cardinal Principles Section 2: Setting Things to Rights and Clarifying Major Historical Issues Since the Founding of the PRC (1) Ye Jianying’s Speech on the 30th Anniversary of National Day (2) The Resolution on Certain Questions in the History of Our Party Since the Founding of the People’s Republic of China (3) Redressing Unjust, False, and Wrongful Cases Section 3: Disputes and Social Trends During the Initial Period of Reform and Opening Up (1) Disputes Triggered by the "Fixing of Output Quotas Based on the Household" [7] (2) Discussions on Socialist Economic Theory (3) The "Xidan Democracy Wall Incident" (4) The Great Discussion on the Outlook on Life (5) New Atmosphere and Resulting Disputes in Literary and Art Circles Section 4: Initial Reflections of Deng Xiaoping and Chen Yun on Reform and Opening Up (1) Allowing Some to Get Rich First is "A Great Policy" (2) Massive Introduction of Foreign Capital, Advanced Technology, and Management Experience (3) Establishing Special Economic Zones: "Carving Out a Blood-Stained Path" [8] (4) Initial Reflections on the Relationship Between Planning and the Market (5) Charting a Path of Chinese-path Modernization (6) Reforming the Leadership System of the Party and State (7) "The Conduct of the Governing Party is a Matter of Life and Death for the Party"
Chapter 4: Advancing Economic Restructuring and the Initial Expansion of Deng Xiaoping Theory Section 1: Explorations in Theoretical Circles During the Advancement of Economic Restructuring (1) Discussions on Economic Restructuring (2) Discussions on Humanism and Alienation Section 2: Clearing Away Spiritual Pollution Section 3: Initial Expansion of Deng Xiaoping Theory (1) "Walk Our Own Road and Build Socialism with Chinese Characteristics" (2) "In General, This Road is Called the Road of Building Socialism with Chinese Characteristics" (3) "This Document on Economic Restructuring is Good Because it Explains What Socialism Is" (4) "One Country, Two Systems"
Chapter 5: Full Implementation of Reform and Opening Up and the Formation of the Outline of Deng Xiaoping Theory Section 1: Active Thought During the Full Implementation of Reform and Opening Up (1) "Neo-Enlightenment" (2) The "Traditional Culture Fever" (3) The "Western Culture Fever" Section 2: Spread of the Trend of Bourgeois Liberalization (1) The Trend of Denying the Four Cardinal Principles (2) The Trend of "Political Pluralism" Section 3: Taking a Clear Stand Against Bourgeois Liberalization (1) Deng Xiaoping’s Expositions Against Bourgeois Liberalization (2) The CPC Central Committee’s Notice on Opposing Bourgeois Liberalization (3) Theoretical Circles Refute Bourgeois Liberalization Section 4: Formation of the Outline of Deng Xiaoping Theory (1) "Peace and Development are the Themes of the Contemporary World" (2) "Reform is China’s Second Revolution" (3) "Our Country is in the Primary Stage of Socialism" (4) "One Center, Two Basic Points" [9] (5) The "Three-Step" Strategy (6) "Without Democracy, There is No Socialism" (7) "Grasping Two Civilizations Simultaneously" [10] (8) "Forming the Outline of the Theory of Building Socialism with Chinese Characteristics"
Chapter 6: Deepening Reform and Opening Up and the Enrichment and Development of Deng Xiaoping Theory Section 1: Ideological Disputes Triggered by Deepening Reform (1) Discussions on Mid-term Reform Ideas (2) Discussions on the Socialist Economic Operating Mechanism (3) The Neo-Authoritarianism Dispute Section 2: Overflow of the Trend of Bourgeois Liberalization (1) The River Elegy Controversy [11] (2) The Trend of Neoclassical/Neoliberal Economics (3) The Total Outbreak of Bourgeois Liberalization (4) Critiques of Bourgeois Liberalization Section 3: The CPC’s Reflection and Summation of Ten Years of Reform Section 4: Enrichment and Development of Deng Xiaoping Theory (1) "Science and Technology are the Primary Productive Forces" (2) "The Reform and Opening Up Policy Will Not Change" (3) "The Central Authorities Must Have Authority" (4) "Stability Overrides Everything" (5) "Genuinely Opposing Corruption" (6) "Focusing Intently on Party Building" (7) "The Key to China’s Issues Lies in Having a Good Politburo" (8) "The Greatest Failure Has Been in Education" (9) "The Opposite of the Four Adherences is Bourgeois Liberalization" (10) "Establishing a New International Order"
Chapter 7: Continued Advancement of Reform and Opening Up and the Formation of the Scientific System of Deng Xiaoping Theory Section 1: Re-discussing the Relationship Between Planning and the Market (1) "Confirming the Substantive Significance of the Socialist Market Economy" (2) "Socialist Economy Can and Must Develop in a Planned Way" (3) Bo Yibo’s Reflections on Planning and the Market Section 2: Controversies After the Political Turmoil of 1989 (1) Disputes Over Whether Reform and Opening Up is Surnamed "Socialism" or "Capitalism" (2) The Rise of Nationalist Trends Section 3: A New Manifesto for Emancipating the Mind: The Southern Tour Talks (1) "Reform is Also the Liberation of Productive Forces" (2) "The Basic Line Must Be Upheld for a Hundred Years" (3) "The Crucial Issue is the Question of being Surnamed 'Capitalism' or 'Socialism'" (4) "Development is the Hard Truth" (5) "Only When We Surpass Them in Both Civilizations Will This Be Socialism with Chinese Characteristics" (6) "Attention Must Be Paid to Cultivating People" (7) "The Number of People in the World Who Support Marxism Will Increase" Section 4: Deng Xiaoping’s Final Reflections (1) Favoring the Term "Socialist Market Economic System" (2) "Where Does the Superiority of the Socialist Market Economy Lie? It Lies in the Four Adherences" (3) "Once China Develops to a Certain Point, the Issue of Distribution Must Be Considered" (4) "Reform and Development in Agriculture Will Experience Two Leaps" Section 5: The Scientific System of Deng Xiaoping Theory (1) Philosophical Foundations of Deng Xiaoping Theory (2) Basic Framework of the Deng Xiaoping Theoretical System (3) Historical Position and Guiding Significance of Deng Xiaoping Theory
Part Two: The Period of Advancement and Enrichment of the Theoretical System of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics Marked Primarily by the Important Thought of "Three Represents" (1989–2002)
Introduction
Chapter 8: Carrying Forward the Cause into the Future: New Explorations and Reflections on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics Section 1: Unwaveringly Persisting in Reform and Opening Up (1) "Be Unswerving and Unshakable," "Implement Comprehensively and Consistently" (2) Drawing a Fundamental Line Between "Two Views of Reform and Opening Up" (3) New Reflections Under New Circumstances Section 2: Improving the Economic Environment and Rectifying the Economic Order in Harmony with Deepening Reform ...
Chapter 9: Initial Launch of Socialist Market Economy Construction and the Incubation of the Important Thought of "Three Represents"
Chapter 10: Holding High the Banner Facing the New Century: Proposing the Basic Program for the Primary Stage of Socialism
Chapter 11: Comprehensive Advancement of the Cause of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics and the Initial Formation of the "Three Represents"
Chapter 12: Actively Responding to New Stakes and Challenges in the New Century: Systematic Elaboration of the "Three Represents"
Chapter 13: Proposing the Goal of Building a Moderately Prosperous Society in All Respects: The Enrichment and Development of the "Three Represents"
Part Three: The Period of Development and Improvement of the Theoretical System of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics Marked Primarily by the Scientific Outlook on Development (2002–2008)
Introduction
Chapter 14: Surging Trends in the New Stage
Chapter 15: The Proposition and Formation of the Scientific Outlook on Development
Chapter 16: Basic Ideas of Economic Construction Since the 16th National Congress
Chapter 17: Innovative Development of Socialist Democratic Political Theory
Chapter 18: Cultural Construction Theory in the New Stage
Chapter 19: Socialist Harmonious Society Theory
Chapter 20: Innovative Development of Party Building Theory
Chapter 21: Efforts to Build a Harmonious World of Lasting Peace and Common Prosperity
Concluding Remarks: Patterns of Ideological Development Over 30 Years of Reform and Opening Up
Closing Words: Broad Prospects for the Path of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics
Chronology of Events
References
Important Terminology
Appendix: Table of Contents in English
Afterword