Zhang Hongshi: Leading the Philosophy and Social Sciences Cause toward Steady and Sustainable Progress with a Correct View of Political Performance
A view of performance is the concrete manifestation of one's worldview, outlook on life, and values within official conduct; it is the touchstone for testing the Party spirit and work style of Party members and cadres. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, General Secretary Xi Jinping has issued a series of important discourses centered on "for whom is performance established, what kind of performance is established, and by what means is performance established," providing a fundamental compliance for the establishment and practice of a correct view of performance. The philosophy and social sciences possess important functions in understanding the world, inheriting civilization, innovating theory, providing administrative consultation and nurturing people, and serving society. The vast number of philosophy and social science workers must keep the "top priorities of the nation" [1] in mind. With a firm political stance, profound sentiments for the people, solid academic foundations, and a strong sense of responsibility, they must establish and practice a correct view of performance, "write their papers on the soil of the motherland," shoulder the glorious mission bestowed by history, and strive to compose a new chapter in the development of the philosophy and social sciences.
Persist in condensing the soul and strengthening the core; stabilize the academic direction while clearing away ideological mists.
The political direction is the soul of the view of performance; it determines the value orientation of one's achievements. General Secretary Xi Jinping has emphasized: "We must guard the political gateway and always maintain high sensitivity toward being clear-cut about politics." Being clear-cut about politics is the fundamental requirement of our Party as a Marxist party and is the most distinctive essential characteristic of Chinese Communists. To establish and practice a correct view of performance, one must first align with the correct political direction, strengthen ideological and theoretical arming, and continuously consolidate the ideological foundation for fulfilling duties and creating performance.
As an important force in promoting historical development and social progress, the philosophy and social sciences possess distinct ideological, class, and social attributes. The vast number of philosophy and social science workers must combine being clear-cut about politics with the elevation of research standards, integrate individual research with the needs of the people, and merge academic ideals into the overall situation of the cause of the Party and the state. First, always persist in taking Marxism as guidance. This is the fundamental hallmark distinguishing contemporary Chinese philosophy and social sciences from others. We must transform the guiding position of Marxism into clear-headed theoretical self-awareness, firm political convictions, and scientific methods of thinking. We must consciously study and apply the Marxist worldview and methodology to continuously enhance our ability to understand the world, transform the world, and solve problems. Second, always persist in the principle of Party spirit. Maintain the correct political direction, academic orientation, and value orientation; strengthen "position awareness" [2] and ensure "responsibility for the territory"; and resolutely resist the tendencies of "depoliticization" and "de-ideologization" in academic research. Dare to refute various erroneous viewpoints and trends of thought, distinguish between right and wrong, clear away ideological mists, and profoundly demonstrate the charm of Marxist truth and its great practical power. Third, always persist in "discussing politics through scholarship." Philosophy and social science work must persist in taking Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as guidance, continue to deepen the systematic and academic research and interpretation of the Party's innovative theories, and profoundly reveal and expound upon the axioms, scholarship, and philosophy contained therein, transforming them into intellectual discourse, research paradigms, and academic theories.
Take root in the soil of the motherland; deepen academic foundations while standing firm in the people's position.
There are constants in governing a state, of which benefiting the people is the fundamental. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized: "Communists must keep in mind that creating benefits for the people is the greatest performance." This important discourse reveals the essential attribute of a correct view of performance and points out the fundamental direction for research in the philosophy and social sciences. As an indispensable part of the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics, the philosophy and social sciences must adhere to the people's position and shoulder the glorious mission of speaking for the people and creating benefits for the people.
The "living water" [3] of the philosophy and social sciences originates in the people; its practical foundation lies with the people, and its value destination is the people. All theories divorced from the people are pale and weak; all scholarship that does not benefit the people lacks vitality. The vast number of philosophy and social science workers must adhere to a people-centered research orientation, taking the "urgent, difficult, anxious, and stressed" [4] problems of the masses as important research directions, the practical creations of the masses as the inexhaustible source of theoretical innovation, and the satisfaction of the masses as the important standard for evaluating research results. First, persist in the Marxist "mass viewpoint." Take root in the practical creations of the people, implement the mass line, respect the people's principal status and pioneering spirit, and draw wisdom and strength from the great practice of the masses. Second, persist in "doing scholarship for the people." Face the requirements of the masses directly, respond to the questions they raise, and meet their realistic needs. Persist in stepping out of the study, rooting oneself at the grassroots, and deeply cultivating practice—writing papers on the soil of the motherland and doing scholarship that enters the hearts of the masses, so that the philosophy and social sciences become more "down-to-earth," more spirited, and more confident. Third, persist in the "Two Combinations" [5] to promote the organic unity of the "soul-vein" of Marxism and the "root-vein" of fine traditional Chinese culture. Rooted in Chinese soil and continuing the Chinese cultural lineage, we must deepen our academic foundations. Deeply study major issues concerning the national economy and people's livelihood, actively explore major problems concerning the future and destiny of humanity, and strive to produce more high-quality academic results that satisfy the Party and the people.
Deepen investigation and research; enhance academic ability while answering the questions of the era.
Investigation and research [6] constitute an important path for advancing innovation in knowledge and theory. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized: "Investigation and research are the basic skills for doing work well. One must learn how to investigate and research, and improve professional competence through it." Doing a good job in investigation and research is an inherent requirement for responding to the tests of "wind and waves" on the New Journey and for promoting high-quality development; it is an important measure for transforming work styles and improving the ability to fulfill duties.
At present, China's tasks for reform, development, and stability, as well as its risk challenges and the tests of state governance, are arduous and heavy. A series of theoretical and practical issues urgently need to be solved, which places higher requirements on the ability and level of philosophy and social science workers. To establish and practice a correct view of performance, one must keep pace with the era, strengthen investigation and research, broaden academic horizons, and continuously improve the capacities for original research, collaborative innovation, result transformation, and ideological dissemination. First, go deep into field research. Persist in "looking downward" and "stepping downward," frequently "throwing oneself down" [7] and sinking to the front lines to clarify situations and identify problems accurately, promoting the unity of investigation and research with serving the grassroots and fulfilling duties. Second, persist in a problem-oriented approach. Research real problems, go straight to the problems, and take solving problems as the ultimate goal, allowing "problem consciousness" to permeate the entire process of investigation and research. Focus on the prominent contradictions and problems faced by high-quality development, categorizing them for sorting, inventory, and layered research—achieving "shooting the arrow at a specific target" and "applying medicine according to the disease" to overcome difficulties. Integrate the problem-oriented approach with goal-oriented and effect-oriented approaches. Third, keep the "top priorities of the nation" in mind. Centered on the goal of comprehensively building a great modern socialist country, focus on researching strategic issues affecting the overall situation, bottleneck issues restricting development, and livelihood issues of concern to the masses. Focus on major strategies such as Chinese-path modernization, high-quality development, comprehensively deepening reform, and building a leading cultural power (文化强国). Carry out strategic, forward-looking, and reserve research to promote innovation in the knowledge, theory, and methodology of the philosophy and social sciences, manifesting academic value and performance weight while serving the overall situation of the Party and the state.
Take the initiative to act and shoulder responsibility; fulfill academic missions while cultivating an excellent academic style.
General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "Performance is achieved through action; only through real work can real performance be produced." The vast number of philosophy and social science workers must persist in proceeding from reality in all things, act according to objective laws, and cultivate the spiritual realm of "success does not have to be through me" while shouldering the historical responsibility of "I must contribute to the success." Through scientific decision-making and hard work, they must carry forward the "nail-driving spirit" [8], working one term after another to create academic results that can withstand the test of practice, the people, and history.
Contemporary China is undergoing the most extensive and profound social transformation in our history, providing a powerful impetus and vast space for the high-quality development of the philosophy and social sciences, while also bringing a series of complex problems and challenges. It is imperative for philosophy and social science workers to maintain a clear head, abide by academic norms, temper a rigorous work style, and promote a pragmatic spirit, fulfilling their mission and responsibility while cultivating excellent academic and writing styles. First, improve the scientific research evaluation system. Optimize academic evaluation standards, strengthen classified evaluation, and construct a comprehensive, scientifically standardized, and efficiently operating research management system to solidly carry out "organized research." Innovate mechanisms for the transformation of results and promote the organic integration of theoretical innovation and administrative consultation, enhancing innovative vitality and endogenous momentum. Second, carry forward the fine academic style of "seeking truth from facts." Persist in respecting practice and objective laws, integrating rigorous scholarship throughout the entire research process. Uphold the rigorous academic attitude of "sitting on a cold bench for ten years, and not writing a single empty line in an essay" [9]; endure loneliness, withstand temptation, and hold the bottom line. Truly become advocates of advanced ideas, pioneers of academic research, leaders of social trends, and firm supporters of the Party's governance. Third, establish a scientific spirit of pursuing truth. Grounded in Chinese reality, persist over the long term in basic theory, major propositions, and frontier fields; produce more masterpieces and "high-quality works" to empower the building of a strong country and assist in national rejuvenation. Demonstrate real ability and achieve good results in researching and solving major issues that concern the overall, fundamental, and key aspects of the Party and the state, contributing strength to the construction of a Chinese independent knowledge system for the philosophy and social sciences.