2023 Selection Guide for Topics in "Studies on Marxism" | Marxism Research Network

Research and interpretation of the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the CPC ^[1]
Research on Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era
Research on the worldview and methodology of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era
The fundamental experience of the Communist Party of China in adhering to the worldview and methodology of dialectical materialism and historical materialism
Research on the Marxist standpoint, viewpoints, and methods ^[2]
Research on the Sinicization and modernization ^[3] of Marxism
Research on the "Two Combinations" ^[4] in the Sinicization of Marxism
Research on the value propositions of scientific socialism
Research on the fundamental questions of 21st-century Marxism
Research on the disciplinary system, academic system, and discourse system of Marxism ^[5]
The great changes unseen in a century ^[6] from the perspective of Marxist philosophy
Research on Chinese-path modernization
Research on comprehensively building a modern socialist country and comprehensively advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation
Research on the Great Founding Spirit of the Party ^[7] and the spiritual lineage of Chinese Communists
Research on the Party's self-revolution
Research on common prosperity for all people
Research on the basic socialist economic system ^[8]
Research on whole-process people's democracy
Research on building a strong socialist cultural power
Research on building a socialist ideology with strong cohesion and leadership
Research on Marxism leading contemporary social trends of thought
Research on the harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature
Research on the common values of humanity ^[9] and a community with a shared future for humanity
Research on the path of Chinese-path modernization and the new form of human civilization
Research on the new manifestations of contemporary capitalism
Research on world Marxism and socialism

Notes

↩ [1] 党的二十大 (Dǎng de èrshí dà): Refers to the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China held in October 2022. In the Chinese political calendar, "research and interpretation" of the most recent Congress spirit is the top priority for academic funding and publication.

↩ [2] 立场观点方法 (lìchǎng guāndiǎn fāngfǎ): A standard triad in Chinese Marxism. While Westmarxists might focus on "theory," Chinese discourse emphasizes this practical toolkit used by the Party to analyze and solve concrete problems.

↩ [3] 时代化 (shídàihuà): Often translated as "modernization" or "adapting to the times," this refers specifically to the process of updating Marxist theory to address the specific historical conditions of the current era, paralleling "Sinicization" (spatial/cultural adaptation).

↩ [4] 两个结合 (liǎng gè jiéhé): The "Two Combinations." This refers to combining the basic tenets of Marxism with (1) China’s specific reality and (2) China’s fine traditional culture. The second "combination" has been heavily emphasized in the New Era to root Marxism in Chinese civilization.

↩ [5] “三大体系” (sāndà tǐxì): The "three major systems" (disciplinary, academic, and discourse). This is a strategic goal to build independent Chinese soft power in social sciences, reducing reliance on Western academic categories and terminology.

↩ [6] 世界百年未有之大变局 (shìjiè bǎinián wèiyǒu zhī dàbiànjú): A signature concept of the New Era, suggesting that the current global shift in power (the rise of the East and decline of the West) is the most significant change in a century, comparable to the shifts around WWI.

↩ [7] 伟大建党精神 (wěidà jiàndǎng jīngshén): The Great Founding Spirit of the Party, characterized by "upholding truth and ideals, staying true to our original aspiration and founding mission, fighting bravely without fear of sacrifice, and remaining loyal to the Party and faithful to the people."

↩ [8] 社会主义基本经济制度 (shèhuì zhǔyì jīběn jīngjì zhìdù): Defined in China as the coexistence of multiple forms of ownership with public ownership as the mainstay, and multiple modes of distribution with "distribution according to work" as the mainstay, alongside the socialist market economy.

↩ [9] 全人类共同价值 (quán rénlèi gòngtóng jiàzhí): "Common values of humanity" (peace, development, equity, justice, democracy, and freedom). This is positioned as a Chinese alternative to "universal values" (pǔshì jiàzhí), which the CPC criticizes as a Western ideological tool.