An Introduction to the Chinese Society of Historical Materialism
The Chinese Association of Historical Materialism is a national, academic, and non-profit social organization voluntarily formed by theoretical and practical workers engaged in the research, propagation, and education of historical materialism. The Association was founded on January 16, 1981, under its original name, the Chinese Research Society of Historical Materialism. In July 1991, it underwent re-registration procedures and changed its name to the Chinese Association of Historical Materialism.
The Chinese Association of Historical Materialism takes Marxism-Leninism, Mao Zedong Thought, Deng Xiaoping Theory, the Important Thought of Three Represents, the Scientific Outlook on Development, and Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as its guidance. It profoundly grasps the decisive significance of the "Two Establishments," strengthens the "Four Consciousnesses" [1], bolsters the "Four Confidences" [2], and achieves the "Two Upholds." In all its activities, the Association adheres to the fundamental system of maintaining the guiding position of Marxism in the ideological field and implements the principle of combining theory with practice and the policy of "letting a hundred flowers bloom and a hundred schools of thought contend" [3]. It maintains a close connection with contemporary reality and vigorously strengthens the construction of academic theoretical fronts—particularly ideological fronts. It conducts deep, systematic, and creative scientific research on historical materialism and criticizes erroneous views of historical idealism as well as erroneous trends of thought such as historical nihilism [4]. Its goal is to promote the prosperity and development of the discipline of historical materialism in our country, contribute to the construction of philosophy and social sciences with Chinese characteristics, and strive to serve the cause of China’s reform and opening up and socialist modernization through practical actions.
The primary tasks of the Chinese Association of Historical Materialism center on major theoretical and practical issues of historical materialism. These include organizing and convening various types of forums, discussion groups, report sessions, academic exchange conferences, and seminars; organizing and coordinating members to carry out various thematic investigations, research, site visits, and other academic activities; organizing the compilation and translation of Chinese and foreign research materials on historical materialism and the philosophy of history; undertaking research on major theoretical projects; providing consultative reports; and publishing journals. It also recommends the outstanding scientific research results of its members to newspapers, periodicals, publishing houses, and relevant departments.
The highest authority of the Chinese Association of Historical Materialism is the National Congress of Member Representatives, and its executive body is the Council, under which the Secretariat and other organs are established. The Chinese Association of Historical Materialism accepts the professional guidance, supervision, and management of its professional supervisory unit, the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), and the social organization registration and management authority, the Ministry of Civil Affairs. The Association is headquartered in Beijing.