Peng Changhua: Constructing a Logical Path for Empowering Ideological and Political Education Through the "Two Combinations"
General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized in the report to the 20th National Congress of the CPC that “to uphold and develop Marxism, we must integrate it with China’s specific realities; to uphold and develop Marxism, we must integrate it with fine traditional Chinese culture” (hereinafter referred to as the “Two Integrations”). The “Two Integrations” further clarify the three objects of integration—the basic tenets of Marxism, China’s specific realities, and fine traditional Chinese culture. For the subject of ideological and political education, this addresses the question of “what kind of people to cultivate,” while the “Two Integrations” solve the problem of “what to use to cultivate them,” achieving a scientific connection between the object and the subject. First, the “Two Integrations” highlight the openness, practical nature, and people-centered nature of the basic tenets of Marxism. By absorbing advanced thoughts from home and abroad, past and present, with an open vision and national sentiment, theory is innovated through practice. This constructs a Sinicized and modernized Marxism using a theoretical discourse system with Chinese characteristics, Chinese style, and Chinese spirit [1]. Ideological and political education can “correctly answer the major questions posed by the times and practice, and maintain the vigorous vitality of Marxism only by persisting in the application of dialectical materialism and historical materialism.” Effectively grasping the questions of the times and the questions of students is an important manifestation of strengthening moral education and cultivating people (立德树人) [2] in universities. Second, examining ideological and political education through the specific realities of the “Two Integrations,” we see that its developmental trajectory is embodied in the great practice of Chinese revolution, construction, and reform. Focusing on the theoretical, practical, and historical logic of the “Two Integrations” (hereinafter the “Triple Logic”), we can take the pulse of the rational trends of ideological and political education in the New Era. By persisting in a problem-oriented approach, integrating the theoretical achievements of the “Two Integrations” with specific focus and systematic steps, we can strengthen practical results, highlight theoretical innovation, and provide a value orientation for the renewal of ideological and political education. Third, regarding the integration of fine traditional Chinese culture, this culture plays an irreplaceable role in ideological and political education by enhancing national pride and national cohesion. Culture influences the development process of a nation. In the context of strengthening cultural self-confidence, ideological and political education activates fine traditional Chinese culture through Marxist educational thought, achieving its creative transformation and innovative development [3] in light of reality, upholding moral education, and fostering well-rounded human development. In short, integrating the “Two Integrations” into ideological and political education guides students to correctly apply the Marxist worldview and methodology, making the “Two Integrations” the value orientation for upholding the fundamentals and breaking new ground in ideological and political education, thereby solving the practical problems of students’ lack of theoretical depth and weak extension of practical abilities.
II. Taking the Pulse of the Practical Dilemmas of Ideological and Political Education in the New Era via the “Two Integrations”
In the New Era, faced with the interference of various erroneous trends of thought, students need to deepen their theoretical depth vertically and extend their practical breadth horizontally. Guided by the openness, practical nature, and people-centered nature of the “Two Integrations,” and combined with the reality of schools, we must highlight our own characteristics and strengthen theoretical elevation through practice. Taking a problem-oriented approach, we take the pulse of the practical dilemmas of ideological and political education in the New Era, persist in concrete analysis of concrete conditions, and continuously improve students’ cognition and practice of fine traditional Chinese culture. This provides value guidance for ideological and political education through the process of “cultivating the roots and casting the soul” [4].
First, utilizing the openness of the “Two Integrations” to strengthen the construction of the theoretical system and scrutinize the roots of various erroneous trends of thought. Openness is the inheritance of the understanding of inclusive absorption, advancing with the times, and continuous innovation. Through critical borrowing and creative transformation, the “Two Integrations” have developed the Chinese cultural lineage and expanded its cultural foundations, inheriting the Marxist worldview and methodology while continuing the ancient Chinese civilization. Faced with the tide of globalization, the impact of pluralistic values is increasing, and the influence of erroneous trends such as “universal values,” neoliberalism, and ecologism is intensifying. Neoliberalism stands in opposition to China’s economic system and institutions; "constitutional democracy" seeks to shake China’s fundamental political system; "universal values" and historical nihilism deviate from China’s core socialist values and fine traditional Chinese culture. Currently, there is also a rise in the "Confucianization" trend (儒化思潮), which overemphasizes ancient culture and forms a trend of "revivalism" (复古主义). In response to these trends, ideological and political education should start by gaining insight into the inner needs of students, persist in a problem-oriented approach, be adept at grasping the students' inner world, and manifest the worldview and methodology of the “Two Integrations.” This provides solid guidance for ideological and political education, addresses student concerns, focuses on theoretical system construction, scrutinizes the roots of erroneous trends, and effectively responds to the interference of harmful ideologies.
Second, utilizing the practical nature of the “Two Integrations” to respond to new changes in students’ “Five Perspectives.” Practicality is the enrichment of the understanding of the primacy of practice and theory-guided practice; it is the distinguishing feature of Marxist theory from other theories. Mao Zedong pointed out: “We must fully and properly unite the universal truth of Marxism with the specific practice of the Chinese revolution; that is to say, it must be combined with national characteristics and expressed through a definite national form before it can be useful. It must never be applied subjectively or according to a formula.” This should become the greatest magic weapon (法宝) [5] for the theory and practice of ideological and political education. The practical logic of Sinicizing and modernizing Marxism has special inherent stipulations. In essence, it is not a simple, unidirectional linear development from theory to theory, text to text, or concept to concept, but a complex dialectical process of integrating the “book knowledge” (本本) [6] of Marxism as a theoretical form with China’s specific realities as a practical form. Surveys of college students have found that “changes in students’ moral concepts are mainly manifested in their perspectives on justice and interests, public and private, honor and disgrace, happiness, and values” (hereinafter referred to as the “Five Perspectives”). To a certain extent, new changes in these “Five Perspectives” reflect a lack of practical cognition among college students, manifested as a weak horizontal extension of practice—specifically an absence of practical initiative such as peer interaction, resource sharing, and brainstorming. Current college students are basically the “post-00s” generation; they grew up in a superior material environment with developed information technology, possessing the advantages of wide reading and large information volume. However, when faced with fragmented information, they easily develop a lack of theoretical interest and a relative dearth of historical knowledge, causing their understanding of ideological and political education content to remain on the surface and lack depth. Ideological and political education needs to change with the times and specific environments, persist in the practical nature of the “Two Integrations,” and strengthen practical initiative, for “empty talk harms the country, while solid work makes it flourish.” Through practice, students should be guided to advance with the times, remain grounded in their roles, and forge a practical philosophy of daring to act, being capable of acting, and finding joy in acting, thereby gaining true knowledge through practice.
Third, utilizing the people-centered nature of the “Two Integrations” to promote the transformation and development of fine traditional Chinese culture. The people-centered nature (人民性) is the adherence to the understanding of the people’s standpoint, the people as the subject, and the people as the standard. The people-centered nature of the “Two Integrations” contains unique values rooted in fine traditional Chinese culture. Its expressions—such as “the world belongs to the public” (天下为公), “the people are the foundation of the state” (民为邦本), “governing by virtue” (为政以德), “enriching the people and providing for their livelihood” (富民厚生) and “balancing justice and interests” (义利兼顾)—align with the ideals and beliefs of socialism and communism. This lays a solid foundation for absorbing all excellent achievements of human civilization and representing the developmental direction of human progress. Under the intermingling of diverse cultures, some students believe new thoughts are needed for the New Era and feel that classic traditional culture is outdated. They tend to worship foreign civilizations and "Western culture" (洋文化), even inheriting it unconditionally without critical thinking, while possessing only a superficial understanding of their own civilization. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: “In the course of over 5000 years of civilization development, the Chinese nation has created a profound and splendid culture... we must make the most basic cultural genes of the Chinese nation... come alive. We must convince people with reason, with culture, and with virtue... and display the charm of Chinese culture.” We must use the discourse of fine traditional Chinese culture to “enhance the ambition, backbone, and confidence of being Chinese, so as to live up to the times, live up to our youth, and live up to the earnest expectations of the Party and the people.” Otherwise, “we will have severed our spiritual lifeline.” Focusing on the innovative development and creative transformation of fine traditional Chinese culture responds to the current status of students' lack of traditional culture, allowing ancient wisdom to shine with the light of the New Era. The ultimate goal of student development is to gain the recognition of society and the state and to possess national sentiment; recognizing one's own national culture is a prerequisite. “The basic tenets of Marxism must be closely integrated with China's specific realities, and national traditional culture should be treated scientifically.” Targeting the innovative development and creative transformation of fine traditional Chinese culture to achieve a historical leap—making the traditional modern—and strengthening the education and guidance of students is an effective link for building the “roots” and “soul.” The people-centered nature lies in the effective path of helping students establish a correct materialist conception of history and cultivating the spirit of serving the people whole-heartedly. Ideological and political education must explain the "flesh-and-blood" relationship between the Party and the people clearly, thoroughly, and vividly. This helps enhance students’ perception of the Party’s fundamental purpose, nourishes patriotic sentiments, and cultivates the feeling of “studying for the rise of China” [7]. At the same time, teachers need to clarify the value relevance and indivisibility on a hierarchical basis to prevent students from falling into the value paradox of collectivism versus individualism.
III. Reshaping the “Triple Logic” of Ideological and Political Education via the “Two Integrations”
The three objects of the “Two Integrations” are rich in characteristics of the times and national features, guiding the people to seek their roots while remaining grounded in the present. Ideological and political education persists in taking Marxism as the guiding ideology and fine traditional Chinese culture as the "root-vein" (根脉) for nourishment. It takes Sinicized and modernized Marxism as the guide for action, adheres to the Marxist standpoint of ideological and political education, and draws from the roots of deep-seated Chinese cultural genes and the source of the practical realities of reform and opening up. Regarding the practical dilemmas of ideological and political education, how to alleviate them has become the quintessential demand for the contemporary value of the “Two Integrations.” Grasping the pulse of the times, promoting the "main theme" (主旋律) [8], and focusing on the three objects of the “Two Integrations” to reshape the “Triple Logic” of ideological and political education becomes the source of power for its practice. “There is no end to practice, and there is no end to theoretical innovation. The world is changing every moment, and China is changing every moment. We must keep up with the times theoretically, continuously recognize laws, and continuously promote theoretical innovation, practical innovation, institutional innovation, and innovation in all other aspects.” The vitality of theory lies in continuous innovation in practice. The value significance of the “Two Integrations” is to focus on practice, innovate under theoretical guidance, and thereby promote the further elevation of theory in practice. By grasping problem-orientation, strengthening practical initiative, and implementing cultural guidance, we manifest the value orientation of the “Triple Logic.”
First, the integration of the “Two Integrations” with the basic tenets of Marxism, grasping the theoretical logic of ideological and political education. Marx pointed out: “A problem is the slogan of the times, the most practical cry expressing its state of mind.” Where do problems come from? And where do they lead? Ideological and political education cannot avoid problems; it must dare to face them and be adept at discovering them. In the process of solving problems, the level of ideological and political education is continuously improved, and "men of the times" (时代新人) who can withstand tests and shoulder the great responsibility of national rejuvenation are cultivated. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: “The explanation of theory must be grounded; we must let Marx speak Chinese, let great experts speak the language of the home, let basic tenets become vivid truths, and let fundamental methods become useful methods.” Ideological and political education arms people with scientific theory and is adept at using the explanatory power, cohesion, and attractiveness of the Marxist basic tenets within the “Two Integrations” to influence and call upon people. To win the favor of students, ideological and political education must use popular language to turn profound philosophy into common-sense truths and enhance the innovation of the discourse system. Mao Zedong pointed out: “Let philosophy be liberated from the classrooms and books of philosophers and become a sharp weapon in the hands of the masses.” We must be adept at converting profound truths into forms that students love to see and hear, moving toward the reality of students with easy-to-understand language. By being adept at dialogue with the times and winning the recognition of students, theory becomes a powerful ideological weapon and promotes theoretical innovation in practice.
The theoretical logic of the "Two Combinations" lies in taking the scientific Marxist worldview as a theoretical weapon for analyzing, interpreting, and leading the times; it is the soul of ideological and political education. In terms of grasping the ultimate aim of ideological and political education, the primary task lies in resolving the issue of ideals and convictions. In the New Era, as value orientations become increasingly diverse, ideological and political education should focus on ideals and convictions, guiding students with grand aspirations, pure hearts, and noble integrity. General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out: "If one lacks ideals and convictions, or if they are not firm, one will experience a 'calcium deficiency' in the spirit, leading to the 'rickets' [9]." The university period, in particular, is the "jointing and booting stage" [10] of life's growth. By nurturing students with the theory of the "Two Combinations," we provide them with ideological faith and spiritual strength, allowing high-quality "calcium" to melt into their souls and win their complete conviction. The gene sequence of the "Two Combinations" presents the pursuit of faith inherent in the transmission of "red genes" [11]; it is a love for the Party and the country and loyalty to the people. It is the spiritual calcium that the broad masses of students must absorb to establish their ideals and convictions. As the main battleground for theoretical transmission and innovation, schools must be adept at "cultivating roots and molding the soul," strengthening "calcium" through the Party’s revolutionary culture, and ensuring that "red" becomes the underlying spiritual color of Chinese youth in the New Era. This sows the seeds of virtue and wisdom in students' hearts, solidifying their love for the Party and the country, and inspiring them to become "pillars of talent" who possess both integrity and ability.
Second, the combination of the "Two Combinations" with China's specific realities grasps the practical logic of ideological and political education.
The century of practice by the Communist Party of China (CPC) has proven that without revolutionary theory, there can be no correct revolutionary action. The "Two Combinations" vividly illustrate that practice must be guided by theory. Transforming theory into practice, testing theory through practice, and ensuring that "gray" theory remains evergreen [12] amidst ever-changing practice is the fundamental demand of the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism. The CPC’s century of practice proves that even under the banner of Marxism, practical dynamism divorced from the reality of the time—merely copying books—brought huge losses to the revolution. These profound lessons prompted the orderly evolution of "Sinicization and modernization," laying the foundation for "planning new chapters and opening new horizons." As noted, "Marx’s entire worldview is not a doctrine, but a method. It provides not ready-made dogmas, but starting points for further research and the method for such research." Currently, ideological and political education faces unprecedented new situations and problems. The more heavy the tasks, the more essential it is to persist in upholding the fundamentals and breaking new ground. Facing new challenges, only by having the courage to continuously advance theoretical innovation in practice and the skill to guide new practice with new theory can we allow Marxism to demonstrate an even more powerful and persuasive strength of truth on campus. Ideological and political education should integrate with real-world problems, promoting the mutual elevation of theory and practice through teacher-student interaction. It must adhere to the principle of "coming from practice and going to practice," being tested in practice and continuously developing theory alongside it. Targeting the dogmatism of his time, Mao Zedong clearly proposed that "Marxism must be combined with the specific characteristics of our country and realized through a certain national form," further noting the need to "materialize Marxism in China, ensuring that in every manifestation it bears the necessary Chinese characteristics—that is to say, applying it according to China's traits." The "Two Combinations" advance innovation precisely around the interaction and transmission between the "Sinicization and modernization" of theory and the "transformation of China" through practice.
Ideological and political education makes good use of the practical fruits of the "Two Combinations," which embody practical agency. Regarding the red resources that materialize these theoretical achievements, we must protect, manage, and utilize these non-renewable and irreplaceable precious resources with "heart, emotion, and strength." More importantly, we must be adept at using modern tools such as big data, flipped classrooms, and micro-videos. We must leverage various resources—online and offline, inside and outside the classroom, and on and off-campus—taking multiple measures to continuously expand the depth and breadth of ideological and political education. This ensures that theory stays close to students, influences them, hits the mark, and is imbued with the spirit of the times. By carrying out social practice from multiple dimensions and perspectives, we can closely link the students' hearts with society, testing and enriching theory through practice. The innovation of theory stems from practice and requires the subjects of practice to be proactive. Ideological and political education adheres to technology as a means and practice as a carrier, fully stimulating students' enthusiasm for participation to push theoretical innovation within practice. Through students' reflections on their practice, a "red discourse system" of their peers is formed. This promotes a theoretical system for ideological and political education characterized by advanced "formulas," exquisite "craftsmanship," and fashionable "packaging," becoming a unique educational system that effectively enhances students' practical agency and elevates their cognitive capacity and level through practice.
Third, the combination of the "Two Combinations" with fine traditional Chinese culture grasps the historical logic of ideological and political education.
The historical initiative of the "Two Combinations" clarifies the primary task of our country's education: to serve the realization of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "Opening up and developing Socialism with Chinese Characteristics on the profound foundation of over 5,000 years of Chinese civilization, and combining the basic tenets of Marxism with China’s specific realities and fine traditional Chinese culture, is the path we must take." This clarifies that ideological and political education, in its process of upholding fundamentals and breaking new ground, must follow the historical logic of the "Two Combinations." By combining the basic tenets of Marxism with fine traditional Chinese culture, we further strengthen confidence in our history and culture, ensuring the cause of ideological and political education possesses even more distinct Chinese characteristics. General Secretary Xi Jinping has repeatedly emphasized the importance of "Four Histories" [13] education: "We must carry forward fine traditional Chinese culture, revolutionary culture, and advanced socialist culture; implement projects for the transmission of Chinese culture; promote the integration of fine traditional Chinese culture into education and teaching; and strengthen education on revolutionary culture and advanced socialist culture." Chinese civilization is the only continuous great civilization in the world. Viewing it from a historical perspective endows Chinese civilization with a consistent integrity, providing a basis for historical and cultural confidence. Ideological and political education is meant to lay the foundation for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, and thus must be effectively advanced in combination with students' realities. Only by looking at history and summarizing the past can we grasp the present and better create the future. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized: "We must use history as a mirror to reflect on reality and look into the distant future. From the Party’s century of struggle, we can see clearly why we were successful in the past and understand how we can continue to succeed in the future." Ideological and political education must focus on current issues, refer to past lessons and experiences, and look forward to specific future trends to achieve comprehensiveness and foresight in education.
The historical initiative of the "Two Combinations" is further reflected in methods and strategies. We must persist in seeking truth from facts in all things, especially amidst the "changes unseen in a century" [14]. Competition between nations is, in the final analysis, a competition for talent. Ideological and political education is intrinsically manifested in the effectiveness of "fostering virtue through education" (立德树人), highlighting the practical logic of combining practice with specific realities within historical initiative. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "China has firm confidence in its path, theory, and system; its essence is cultural confidence built on the foundation of over 5,000 years of civilization heritage." Fine traditional Chinese culture is the "root and vein" that ideological and political education must hold fast to. As the vanguard and pioneer of fostering virtue through education, ideological and political education emphasizes the cohesive and leading power of socialist ideology. While "cultivating the roots" of fine traditional Chinese culture and "molding the soul" of Chinese revolutionary culture, we must persist in proceeding from reality, achieving "creative transformation and innovative development" [15] to promote national revitalization and provide fundamental support for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Grasping the historical logic of ideological and political education lies in "seizing the initiative in the field of cultural construction, making Marxism 'Chinese' and transforming fine traditional Chinese culture into something 'modern'." Through combination and optimization in practice, these are elevated into advanced socialist culture with Chinese characteristics, subsequently becoming "living textbooks" for ideological and political education.
IV. Constructing the Practical Path of Empowering Ideological and Political Education through the "Two Combinations"
As the greatest "magic weapon" [16] for our Party’s great achievements, the "Two Combinations" explain the dialectical unity between "Sinicized and modernized Marxism" and "Marxism’s transformation of China." We must both let Marxism "speak Chinese" and, based on reality, transform traditional Chinese culture into modern forms, always persisting in upholding fundamentals and breaking new ground. For ideological and political education, upholding fundamentals is the premise, and breaking new ground is the "source of living water" [17]. Only through innovation can we face new situations and solve new problems, continuously enriching and perfecting the basic theory of the discipline. Grasping the contemporary characteristics of the "Two Combinations" means that ideological and political education must integrate with the specific realities of the New Era, transforming basic Marxist theory and fine traditional Chinese culture into contemporary education. Strengthening the "four identifications" (political, ideological, theoretical, and emotional) of all teachers and students with Sinicized and modernized Marxism is precisamente the value demand of current ideological and political education. The contemporary value of the "Two Combinations" empowers ideological and political education to grasp its theoretical traits and achieve the unity of content and form. In light of the practical agency of the "Two Combinations," we must stimulate the source of momentum for ideological and political education. In implementing the historical initiative of the "Two Combinations," we "cultivate roots and mold the soul" to enhance cultural confidence. In terms of strategy, the results of the "Two Combinations" should be integrated into ideological and political education, highlighting their contemporary value. We must elevate the level of ideological and political education within the thinking logic of the "Sinicization and modernization" of Marxist achievements and the "transformation of China" through the practice of basic Marxist tenets, ensuring that the practice of ideological and political education is effective as practice evolves.
First, the theoretical traits of the "Two Combinations" achieve the unity of content and method in ideological and political education.
Ideological and political education is the primary channel for cultivating the "Two Combinations" and bears an unshakable responsibility. To practice the theoretical traits of the "Two Combinations," we must grasp the creativity, openness, and contemporary nature of ideological and political education. Specifically, the "student-centered" concept must be implemented within its "people-centered" character. Depending on the disciplinary differences in "Curriculum Ideology and Politics" (课程思政), the perspectives for problem-solving will vary. When integrating the theoretical results of the "Two Combinations" into ideological and political education, we must both persist in creating an overall atmosphere and ensure the integration is targeted and stepped. It should be integrated into relevant courses and taught thoroughly, deeply, and completely, avoiding repetition as much as possible. This requires that while ensuring holistic integration, we emphasize the teaching of specific values based on the academic distribution of each course. We must coordinate the distribution of courses and the organic combination of teaching points to maximize educational effectiveness.
Firstly, practicing the innovativeness of the "Two Combinations" enriches campus culture while passing on "red genes." To enhance the internal substance of campus culture and draw from the innovative traits of the "Two Combinations," we must fully reflect the deep value systems contained within campus culture, providing students and teachers with behavioral references and subtly influencing their moral character, behavioral norms, and lifestyles. By passing on red genes to enrich campus culture, we use the campus environment to nurture people, the cultural substance to unite people, and the cultural spirit to guide and inspire people. We should be adept at utilizing the role of "mass organizations" [18]. General Secretary Xi Jinping noted: "The Party’s mass organizations, combining their own reality and centering closely on enhancing their 'political, advanced, and mass-based' character, should solidify the grassroots foundation of mass work." School mass organizations are advanced organizations that unite and influence students. Taking student associations and science/technology activities as the starting point, we can push the "red spirit" from single points to lines and then to entire surfaces. Using the "Challenge Cup" [19] and "Elegant Art into Campuses" as vehicles, we can organically integrate red culture to lead and drive the construction of campus culture. We must strive to create a campus atmosphere of "Party-building guidance, red transmission, fostering virtue, and building the school through culture," achieving the goal of "arming people with scientific theory, guiding people with correct public opinion, and shaping people with noble spirit."
Secondly, practicing the openness and contemporary nature of the "Two Combinations" ensures that red culture is organically integrated into textbooks and permeates the classroom. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out:
"History is the best textbook. Studying the history of the Party and the history of our country is a compulsory course for upholding and developing socialism with Chinese characters and for continuing to push forward the various undertakings of the Party and the state." We must organically integrate the theoretical achievements of the "Two Combinations" [20] into teaching materials to construct a cultivation system that has a profound impact and touches the soul. "Entering the textbooks" means transforming the theoretical system of the "Two Combinations" into an instructional system. This involves innovatively compiling teaching cases for ideological and political theory courses, introducing moving scenes from "red resources" [21] at appropriate times, explaining points of knowledge through vivid cases, "writing red stories well" using language that moves the hearts of students, and elucidating the "red spirit" [22] with simple and clear text. This will achieve a curriculum system where the "recipe" is advanced, the "craftsmanship" is exquisite, and the "packaging" is fashionable. As the theoretical achievements of the "Two Combinations" enter the classroom, we must "attach importance to the practical nature of ideological and political courses, and integrate the small classroom of ideology and politics with the grand classroom of society." By upholding the openness and contemporary connotations of the "Two Combinations," we can enrich the teaching content of ideological and political theory courses and persist in organically combining the transmission of knowledge with the transmission of faith. We must promote the unity of the value-oriented and knowledge-oriented nature of ideological and political education, linking profound Marxist theory with the vivid practices of the New Era. We must affectionately tell the story of the Chinese Communist Party's century of struggle and the great miracles it has created, materializing the spiritual pedigree of Chinese Communists—which condenses the spirit of the times and the national spirit—into vivid deeds, truly telling the Chinese story of the past, present, and future. "Entering the classroom" truly allows students to understand the logic of "how history came to be and how it will continue." The theoretical character of the "Two Combinations" has a distinct "red" hue; by deeply excavating the red spirit and transforming the theoretical system of red resources into a textbook system, and then from a textbook manifestation into a teaching system, it must consistently permeate the students' cognitive systems. This ensures that the teaching of ideological and political theory courses is both substantive and practical, well-defined, affectionate, and engaging. It requires a profound analysis of the knowledge points in various textbooks and their organic integration to deepen students' understanding and perception of the red spirit, generating resonance.
Third, we must practice the "people-centeredness" of the "Two Combinations" and transform the cognitive system into a system of faith for serving the people. People-centeredness is the distinct stance of the theoretical character of the "Two Combinations." Through the construction of a theoretical system, we promote the formation of a spiritual system. General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out: "A person cannot stand without spirit, and a country cannot be strong without spirit." Doing a good job in ideological and political education requires skill in "telling red stories well" so that the red spirit enters the heart and mind. Telling red stories well means persisting in using red scenes to move people, solemn and stirring plots to touch people, and the connotations of the spirit to inspire people. Through emotional exchange, we can drive emotions, render feelings, and stimulate a spiritual shock in students, allowing the red revolutionary spirit to enter the heart and mind, transforming the cognitive system into a system of faith for serving the people and fortifying the students' "people's standpoint." Aiming at the red culture of students' hometowns, we should use technology as a means and practice as a carrier. Through a series of links—"entering the red, perceiving the red, and sharing the red"—students can perceive cases of red resources in their hometowns and promote exchange and sharing between teachers and students to jointly inherit the "red gene" [23]. This should especially be displayed in ideological and political theory courses, and the connotative value and spirit of red resources should be integrated into a "red database." This provides data resources for subsequent student sharing and learning, continuously enriching and optimizing the "red discourse system" among peers, achieving data sharing, and leading ideological and political education to reach a consensus through interactive collision. This effectively breaks through the shackles of traditional models, promotes the transformation of the cognitive system, internalizes it into a conscious sense of responsibility, and externalizes it into practical action.
Second, the "practical agency" of the "Two Combinations" is the source of power for stimulating ideological and political education. At present, the weight of the tasks for school reform is unprecedented. We must adhere to the principle of upholding the fundamentals and breaking new ground, further combining the basic principles of Marxism with China’s specific realities and with the fine traditional Chinese culture. We must have the courage to combine with new practices to continuously promote theoretical innovation and be adept at using new theories to guide new practices. We must adhere to the "practical thinking" of the "Two Combinations," grasp its practical connotations, highlight practical agency, and use Marxism to observe, interpret, and lead the times. We must continuously promote the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism, allowing Marxism to demonstrate a more powerful and persuasive power of truth on campus, so that the "Two Combinations" can stimulate the source of power for ideological and political education in the practice of "transforming China" [24], enabling ideological and political education to better guide and lead practice.
First, the "practical consciousness" of the "Two Combinations" can stimulate the source of power for ideological and political education. Using the practical consciousness of the "Two Combinations," we can lead students to take the initiative in practice, dare to struggle, and obtain value enlightenment through practice. "Happiness is achieved through struggle," "Only a life of struggle can be called a happy life," "Youth is for struggle," and "Struggle is the most beautiful backdrop of youth." We must persist in raising cognitive levels and enhancing insight through practice, creating self-value through struggle, and achieving a brilliant life. Based on the practical consciousness of the "Two Combinations," the school is the primary channel for its exercise. In talent cultivation, we must handle the relationship between "knowing" and "doing" well, emphasizing "valuing action" on the basis of "earnest study." Through the rational promotion of "education through practice," we can strengthen its superiority and deepen theoretical education within practice. General Secretary Xi Jinping has made clear requirements for knowledge and skills, pointing out: "Vigorously promote the integration of industry and education, improve the education mechanism that combines the cultivation of virtue with skills and the combination of work and study, and continuously cultivate hundreds of millions of high-quality industrial recruits for all walks of life." Theory comes from practice, and practice in turn tests theory. In practice, we correct the "Five Views" [25]; the key lies in the consciousness of behavior. In the New Era, we must focus on "Three-All Every-Aspect Education" [26], promote the reform of the education model centered on quality, strengthen the fundamental task of fostering virtue through education [27], emphasize the equal importance of knowledge and skills, and cultivate students' abilities for lifelong learning, "statecraft" (practical utility) [28], and innovation and creation. Confucius advocated "learning and knowing it"; learning is the way to obtain knowledge, and the knowledge obtained should be applied to practice. To this end, Confucius pointed out: "If a man can recite the three hundred odes, but when given a post in the government, he cannot perform his duties; or when sent on a mission to any of the four quarters, he cannot give the appropriate answers; though he has studied much, of what use is it?" Therefore, how knowledge "lands" and is rapidly converted into practical consciousness and the improvement of ability is the foothold of school education. Aiming at practical consciousness, knowledge that can be applied to statecraft is the cornerstone of promoting capacity development and social progress. Lifelong learning is the only way; we must guide students to develop the habit of lifelong learning so that knowledge and ability are continuously integrated and adapted through study, promoting individual development and social progress. The "broad learning" advocated by the Confucian school breaks through the level of knowledge transmission and extends to the practical level, emphasizing the significance and role of practice in talent cultivation, with the ultimate goal of cultivating practical talents. School education in the New Era is not only the transmission of basic subject knowledge but should also focus on the complete architecture of the knowledge framework, where social sciences and natural sciences echo each other to better cultivate students and guide them to be adept at practice, thereby realizing the unity of theory and practice.
Second, the "practical historicity" of the "Two Combinations" can stimulate the "home-country sentiment" [29] in ideological and political education. The foothold of fostering virtue through education lies in "setting great ambitions, clarifying great virtues, becoming great talents, and assuming great responsibilities," taking "serving the people and contributing to society" as the ultimate destination of one's life struggle. The "Two Combinations" vividly illustrate the course of revolution, construction, and reform in the process of "Sinicization and modernization." During the years of revolutionary war, the martyrs were filled with revolutionary ideals and shed their blood for national independence and liberation. On the occasion of the centenary of the founding of the Party, the central authorities codified the first batch of the "spiritual pedigree of Chinese Communists" [30]. Ideological and political education should accurately design questions according to this spiritual pedigree, so that students understand that the Party’s century-long journey of practice is a glorious history of heroic struggle, promoting the "main theme" [31] and transmitting "positive energy." We must persist in the unity of political and academic nature, and the unity of value and knowledge, responding to students with thorough academic logic, guiding them with the power of truth, and using the basic stance, viewpoints, and methods of Marxism to solve students' doubts and improve their ability to distinguish right from wrong, highlighting the practical historicity of the "Two Combinations." In the New Era, ideological and political education should be adept at grasping the practical connotations of the "Two Combinations," advancing the enhancement of home-country sentiment in ideological and political education, and designing and utilizing those soul-stirring typical cases. Their inherent theoretical value should be used to stimulate students' sense of social responsibility and national sentiment, and to foster noble moral qualities. Ideological and political education cultivates students' home-country sentiment; by digging for typical cases in the practice of the "Two Combinations," using these cases as the best "nutrients" and "textbooks," and frequently revisiting these great revolutionary spirits, positive energy will increase in their hearts. This strengthens their ideals and convictions, fostering New Era youth who set great ambitions, clarify great virtues, become great talents, and assume great responsibilities.
Third, the "practical agency" of the "Two Combinations" can stimulate the sublimation of ideological and political education from perceptual cognition to rational cognition. We should fully utilize the century-long accumulation of the "Two Combinations" and "tell red stories well" in combination with specific scenes. Aiming at the life stories of national heroes, ideological and political education should dig into the "historical details" of heroic figures, allowing students to have close contact with real scenes and relics. This achieves vertical extension and horizontal expansion, allowing them to truly grasp the spiritual connotation. By being adept at grasping the practical agency of the "Two Combinations" to provide an impetus for ideological and political education, we can stimulate the transition from perceptual cognition to rational cognition. This further stimulates patriotic feelings and the ambition to strengthen the country, and firms up the mission and responsibility of "serving the people and dedicating oneself to society" from deep within. In enriching students' perceptual content, schools should make good use of and play the role of school history museums, being adept at using the red scenes of such museums to move people, the solemn and stirring plots to touch people, and the inherent spirit to inspire people. Let the inheritors of revolutionary culture and the shapers of the red gene promote the transformation of the cognitive system into a belief system. The practical agency of the "Two Combinations" shows that there is only one step from rationality to practice. In cultivating students' practical agency, besides using material objects for stimulation, we must also cultivate students' spirit of exploration and innovation, encouraging them to walk out of the classroom, out of the campus, and toward practice. This achieves the connection and interaction between disciplinary knowledge and social practice, leading them to actively apply knowledge to reality and reach the sublimation from perceptual to rational cognition, thereby cultivating students' ability for statecraft.
Third, the "historical initiative" [32] of the "Two Combinations" can stimulate ideological and political education to firm up cultural confidence while "cultivating the roots" and "molding the soul." The "Two Combinations" have activated the code of the fine traditional Chinese culture, strengthened the "root" of fine traditional Chinese culture, highlighted the "soul" of the revolutionary spirit, and manifested the "substance" of advanced socialist culture. Without the "root," the "soul" cannot land and is difficult to sustain; without the "soul," the "root" will wither due to a "calcium deficiency" and cannot grow luxuriantly. Under the nutrition of the "root" and the "soul," the "substance" becomes firm and strong. These three cultures share the same bloodline and together constitute the culture of socialism with Chinese characteristics; they are the intellectual achievements of the Chinese nation during different periods of development. In practicing the historical initiative of the "Two Combinations," ideological and political education should persist in "using culture to lead the way," promoting the interactive improvement of theoretical innovation and practical exploration. By absorbing the essence of both Chinese and foreign cultures, it promotes the firming of cultural confidence within ideological and political education while "cultivating the roots" and "molding the soul."
First, practice the historical initiative of the "Two Combinations," and use culture to lead the way in educating and transforming people's hearts.
The "Two Combinations" aim to "connect the essence of Marxist thought with the cream of fine traditional Chinese culture, and integrate them with the common values that the masses use daily without even realizing it," allowing the two to organically combine and mutually reinforce one another, thereby creating a new, organically unified cultural lifeform. General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out: "Chinese culture accumulates the deepest spiritual pursuits of the Chinese nation, contains the most fundamental spiritual genes of the Chinese nation, represents the unique spiritual identity of the Chinese nation, and provides rich nourishment for the continuous growth and development of the Chinese nation." Grounding ourselves in the roots of world culture and practicing the historical initiative of the "Two Combinations" requires further strengthening the "root" of fine traditional Chinese culture, highlighting the "soul" of the revolutionary spirit, and manifesting the "accumulation" of advanced socialist culture. Fine traditional Chinese culture is the source of the "inner confidence" [33] of the Chinese people; with Confucian thought as its mainstream, it flows through the spiritual veins of the sons and daughters of China and serves as their spiritual foundation. The I Ching [34] (Book of Changes) mentions: "Observe the celestial patterns to understand the changes of the seasons; observe the human patterns to transform and complete the world." [35] The historical initiative of the "Two Combinations" guides the efficacy of fine traditional Chinese culture in educating people, cultivating socialist builders and reliable successors who do not forget where they came from. Fei Xiaotong [36] pointed out that cultural awareness is the self-awakening, self-reflection, and self-creation of a culture; it involves using a rational and scientific attitude and the principle of seeking truth from facts to understand one's own national culture while comprehending the cultures of other nations, thereby constructing a way of coexistence where "each appreciates its own beauty, appreciates the beauty of others, shares beauty in harmony, and achieves great harmony in the world." [37] To ground fine traditional Chinese culture in modern society under the guidance of the basic principles of Marxism, we must utilize it innovatively, "push forth the old to bring out the new," [38] and integrate fine traditional culture with the forms and methods that the modern public loves to see and hear. Ideological and political education must concern itself with the humanities, persist in using culture as a guide, correctly recognize its own civilization, engage in rational reflection upon that civilization, and inherit it through dialectical materialist "sublation" [39] to manifest its own beauty. Only through the nourishment of "gentle breezes and mild rains" [40] can we transform and educate the hearts of people. As an important site for practicing "cultural awareness," the school—owing to its unique cultural advantages, dedicated teams of scientific research experts, and resource advantages in leading new disciplinary trends—actively explores and answers the various questions raised by "cultural awareness." This forms a dense cultural atmosphere that nourishes the spiritual world of teachers and students, realizes the role of culture as a guide, and strengthens cultural self-confidence.
Second, practicing the historical initiative of the "Two Combinations" promotes the enhancement of theoretical innovation and practical exploration through their interaction. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "We must increase positive publicity for the excellent culture and glorious history of the Chinese people and the Chinese nation." Since the 18th CPC National Congress, the state has attached great importance to the inheritance and development of its own traditional culture. The "Two Combinations" profoundly reveal the internal logic of the CPC's successful application of the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism, explain the objective necessity of combining fine traditional Chinese culture with Marxism, offer insights into reality, and promote the process of the creative transformation and innovative development of traditional Chinese culture. At the same time, it promotes the improvement of ideological and political education by grasping the interaction between theoretical innovation and practical exploration. The "Two Combinations" have allowed the people of all ethnic groups in our country to more clearly recognize the great significance of fine traditional Chinese culture and the major contributions that five thousand years of spiritual civilization and accumulated knowledge and wisdom have made to the world, manifesting the "inner confidence" of the Chinese people. Ideological and political education should plan further based on historical achievements, accumulate wisdom, effectively take the pulse of the historical initiative of the "Two Combinations," and promote theoretical innovation and practical exploration to continue winning the future in a virtuous interaction. School teachers, in education, teaching, scientific research, cultural inheritance, innovation, and social service, should adhere to the "four unities," [41] strengthen the "four services," [42] implement the "nine persists," [43] and uphold theoretical innovation and practical exploration. They should focus the heart of education on fostering virtue through education, exert their own initiative, enthusiasm, and creativity within the "six requirements and eight unities," [44] and continuously enhance the ideological depth, theoretical rigor, affinity, and targeted nature of ideological and political education. They must always remain student-centered—acting for the students, showing concern for the students, and serving the students. In the virtuous interaction of theoretical innovation and practical exploration, they should integrate the historical achievements of the "Two Combinations" into the whole process and every dimension of ideological and political education, constantly elevating its standard.
Third, practicing the historical initiative of the "Two Combinations" involves persisting in nurturing the "root" and casting the "soul" through inclusiveness. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out at the symposium commemorating the 130th anniversary of the birth of Comrade Mao Zedong: "We must learn from and draw on all the outstanding achievements of human civilization with an open mind that embraces all rivers, continuously enriching the ideological and cultural resources for the Party's theoretical innovation." The "Two Combinations" lie in drawing on all excellent civilizational achievements of human society. Schools are the bridge connecting all excellent human cultural knowledge, past and present, Chinese and foreign; they are the transit station between knowledge and practice, adept at cultivating the spirit of innovation, guiding students to know the new and create the new, and improving the quality of talent cultivation. Traditional Chinese culture, having undergone the baptism of revolutionary culture, has formed the advanced socialist culture within the "Two Combinations," providing beneficial enlightenment for teachers and students to understand and transform the world, and providing beneficial inspiration for ideological and political education. In the New Era, ideological and political education adheres to Marxism as its guide, uses fine traditional Chinese culture to nurture the "root," uses the revolutionary spirit to cast the "soul," and highlights the "accumulation" of advanced socialist culture—this is the proper meaning of cultivating talent in modern schools. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "The Chinese nation possesses a magnificent civilization formed over more than 5,000 years of historical evolution; the Communist Party of China possesses a century of struggle and over 70 years of experience in governing the country and making it flourish; we actively learn from and draw on all beneficial achievements of human civilization." The historical initiative of the "Two Combinations" involves taking the essence through inclusiveness and continuously developing advanced socialist culture. By changing the modes of expression of fine traditional Chinese culture and constructing a popular discourse system that resonates with students, it highlights the value attributes of ideological and political education, becomes a unique spiritual identifier, creates a new way of thinking for ideological and political education, and guides students to build national integrity and establish an international perspective.
V. Conclusion and Outlook Implement the general requirements proposed by General Secretary Xi Jinping regarding "who to cultivate, how to cultivate them, and for whom they are being cultivated"; implement the main line of fostering virtue through education; and realize the talent cultivation strategy of "making students busy, making teachers strong, making management strict, and making results solid." Combining the disciplinary reality of the school, we must clarify the construction ideas for the "New Engineering Specialties," making both long-term plans and short-term arrangements. Taking the three objects of the "Two Combinations" and the "triple logic" of ideological and political education as the vantage point, we must profoundly grasp how the "Two Combinations" empower ideological and political education. Addressing the current problems in ideological and political education, we must persist in taking the basic principles of Marxism as our guide, integrating the "root" of fine traditional Chinese culture, the "soul" of revolutionary culture, and the "accumulation" of advanced socialist culture into ideological and political education to "strengthen the confidence, spinal strength, and inner confidence of being Chinese." We must continuously explore new methods and strategies regarding the creativity, openness, and practicality of the "Two Combinations," persisting in using the "arrow" of Marxism to shoot at the "target" of China in the New Era. We must continue to promote the combination of the basic principles of Marxism with China's specific realities and with fine traditional Chinese culture, so that Marxism manifests more Chinese characteristics, Chinese style, and Chinese demeanor. By continuing to write new chapters in the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism, we must further explore ways to enhance the insight, persuasiveness, and appeal of ideological and political education, thereby continuously improving its standard.
Article Source: Thinking (思想战线) July 16, 2024 Online Editor: Jing Mu