Xin Xiangyang: Research on Several Important Issues in the Development of Marxist Theory Disciplines in the New Era

The discipline of Marxist theory is a foundational and strategic discipline within the disciplinary system of philosophy and social sciences with Chinese characteristics. Strengthening the construction of the Marxist theory discipline is a major, systemic, and long-term project concerning national ideological security, the Party’s theoretical innovation, and the cultivation of national talent. Since the Ministry of Education established the discipline of Ideological and Political Education in 1984, and particularly since the CPC Central Committee proposed and launched the "Marxist Theory Research and Construction Project" in 2004 and established Marxist theory as a first-level discipline ^[1] in 2005, the construction of this discipline has achieved significant progress.

Entering the New Era of socialism with Chinese characteristics, the CPC Central Committee has attached great importance to Marxist theoretical research and construction. It emphasizes the need to uphold the fundamental system of Marxism's guiding position in the ideological sphere, and to fully implement Marxist guidance across all aspects of ideological and theoretical construction, philosophy and social science research, and education and teaching. The construction of the Marxist theory discipline has achieved a series of important successes, becoming an important vehicle for consolidating ideological strongholds, advancing theoretical innovation, and cultivating the newcomers of the era. The "Decision of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on Further Comprehensively Deepening Reform and Advancing Chinese-path Modernization," adopted at the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, emphasized the need to "innovate the Marxist theory research and construction project, implement the philosophy and social sciences innovation project, and build an autonomous knowledge system of Chinese philosophy and social sciences." On the New Journey ^[2], we must base ourselves on the general trends of human development, the frontiers of scientific and technological development, national strategic demands, and the needs of disciplinary development. With a high degree of self-awareness in disciplinary construction and confidence in academic development, we must promote the construction of the Marxist theory discipline, fully demonstrate its unique value in the construction of an autonomous knowledge system for Chinese philosophy and social sciences, and systematically construct the disciplinary system, academic system, and discourse system of Marxist theory.

I. Basic Positioning of the Marxist Theory Discipline

1. The Essential Attributes of the Marxist Theory Discipline Marxism is the fundamental guiding ideology upon which our Party and country are founded and thrive. Strengthening the construction of the Marxist theory discipline is of global, fundamental, and strategic significance. The Marxist theory discipline involves the holistic study of Marxism; it possesses both disciplinary and political attributes, embodying a disciplinary character that unifies scientificity, people-centeredness, and practical orientation. It is a vital support for defending and consolidating the main stronghold of socialist ideology, and it must perform both academic and ideological functions. Its scientificity is reflected in the fact that the discipline takes a scientific system of thought as its object of study and advances theoretical research and disciplinary construction using scientific standpoints, viewpoints, and methods, always placing the systematized and academicized study of Marxism in a prominent position.

On June 30, 2023, during the sixth collective study session of the Political Bureau of the 20th CPC Central Committee, Xi Jinping pointed out: "Promoting the systematization and academicization of theory is an internal requirement and an important path for theoretical innovation. The reason Marxism has such a profound influence lies in its use of deep academic logic to reveal the truth of human social development, and its use of a complete system to demonstrate the scientific nature of its theory. Marx once said his works were an artistic whole, and Lenin also said that Marxist philosophy is a single block of steel. Engels wrote works such as Socialism: Utopian and Scientific to systematically expound the basic principles of Marxism, scientifically demonstrating the internal unity between the three constituent parts of Marxism ^[3]. He defended and developed the scientificity of Marxism with profound academic logic and avoided and corrected the fragmentation and vulgarization of Marxism with a complete system. This fully demonstrates the importance of systematization and academicization for upholding and developing Marxism."

People-centeredness is the essential attribute of Marxism and the prominent mark that distinguishes Marxist political parties from other parties. The Party's ideological theory is a theory that comes from the people, takes root among the people, is for the people, and benefits the people. The people's creative practice is the inexhaustible source of theoretical innovation and the sole criterion for testing truth. In the construction of the Marxist theory discipline, people-centeredness requires us to always remain people-centered and persist in "conducting scholarship for the people." It emphasizes that research must be based on the great practice of the people, and that "papers should be written on the motherland's soil" ^[4] and in the hearts of the people. Practical orientation in disciplinary construction requires us to always focus on the practical transformation of theoretical value and the theoretical sublimation of practical experience. It emphasizes not only that practice is the sole criterion for testing truth, but also that theory is advanced through practice. The practical transformation of theoretical value requires Marxist theoretical workers to be adept at grasping the ideological value of the Party's innovation theories through in-depth academic research, and subsequently using popular discourse to let theory "fly into the homes of ordinary people" ^[5]. The theoretical sublimation of practical experience requires us to be adept at taking the development of Chinese practice and the actual conditions of the changes of the era as our points of reference. On the basis of summarizing the experience of solving Chinese and global problems, we must form scientific theories.

2. The Important Mission of the Marxist Theory Discipline First, it plays a governing role. As a first-level discipline, Marxist theory holds a guiding position in the philosophy and social sciences. It not only directly governs relevant second-level disciplines but also performs a "soul-casting" function within the entire disciplinary system of philosophy and social sciences with Chinese characteristics, playing a key role in building Chinese disciplinary, academic, and discourse systems. Second, it plays a leading role. This is reflected in the fact that the Marxist theory discipline provides the basic standpoint, correct viewpoints, and scientific methods for integrating resources from Marxism, excellent traditional Chinese culture, and foreign philosophy and social sciences. Marxism and its Sinicized and modernized theoretical achievements play a leading role in disciplinary construction. Third, it plays a formative role. The Marxist theory discipline is able to integrate with and influence the research paradigms of other philosophy and social sciences, guiding people's worldviews, outlooks on life, and values. Fourth, it plays a combative role. The construction of the Marxist theory discipline is an important part of ideological work. it plays an irreplaceable role in "distinguishing between issues of political principle, issues of ideological understanding, and issues of academic viewpoint, and in taking a clear-cut stand against and resisting various erroneous viewpoints." We must use the profound academic nature of Marxism to identify and refute various overt and covert anti-Marxist trends of thought.

3. Construction Principles of the Marxist Theory Discipline Since its establishment, the Marxist theory discipline has expanded in an orderly manner, yielding significant scientific research results, markedly improving the effectiveness of teaching "Ideological and Political Theory" courses, and continuously enhancing the quality of the teaching staff and talent cultivation. A crucial factor in these achievements is the unwavering adherence to the guiding principles and value orientations of disciplinary construction. In terms of its direct orientation, the discipline has always taken serving the Party's ideological and theoretical construction and the teaching of ideological and political theory courses as its basic tasks. It consistently follows the laws of Marxist theoretical development, the laws of Marxist disciplinary construction, and the laws of teaching ideological and political theory courses. It focuses on the holistic, systemic, and principled study of Marxism, while also emphasizing its nationalization, modernization, originality, and structural study. Simultaneously, it has established an integration mechanism between ideological-theoretical construction, course teaching, and disciplinary construction, thereby becoming a dominant discipline in China's philosophy and social sciences.

II. Construction of the Marxist Theory Disciplinary System

1. Structural Optimization of the Disciplinary System As our understanding of the laws of disciplinary development deepened, the Academic Degrees Committee of the State Council and the Ministry of Education issued the "Notice on Adjusting and Adding the First-Level Discipline of Marxist Theory and its Subordinate Second-Level Disciplines" in 2005. They decided to establish Marxist theory as a first-level discipline and perfected the second-level disciplines based on development laws, academic characteristics, and social needs. This formed a system including: basic principles of Marxism, history of Marxist development, research on the Sinicization of Marxism, research on foreign Marxism, ideological and political education, and research on basic issues of modern and contemporary Chinese history. These second-level disciplines complement and integrate with each other. Together with "History of the CPC and Party Building" (a first-level discipline), Marxist Philosophy, Political Economy, and Scientific Socialism and the International Communist Movement, they build a relatively complete disciplinary system and cluster.

The "Opinions on Accelerating the Construction of Philosophy and Social Sciences with Chinese Characteristics" proposed upholding the guiding status of Marxism and accelerating the construction of a Chinese disciplinary system. In light of this, we see structural problems: development among second-level disciplines is unbalanced regarding academic systems, discourse, and talent; and there is insufficient connectivity between them, leading to fragmented research. On the New Journey, we must persist in a systems perspective, improve evaluation standards and quality monitoring, and strengthen the assessment of disciplinary mechanisms. We must break through traditional mindsets of disciplinary division to build a system with a rational structure and collaborative mechanisms, allowing for "chemical reactions" between disciplines.

2. Expansion of Research Directions for the New Era On one hand, we must refine disciplinary research directions. While many directions were created during the system's development, some have become decoupled from socioeconomic reality as the "principal contradiction" ^[6] in Chinese society has shifted. Some directions are "talking to themselves" in academic circles or fail to respond to reality. We must adjust these, focusing on the problem of disciplinary sites being "numerous but not strong" and the homogenization of research. On the other hand, we must open new fields. Using the methodology of "combining breaking and establishing" (破立并举), we must create new fields focused on frontier breakthroughs in basic theory, forward-looking layouts in applied policy research, and innovative paths in interdisciplinary research.

3. Innovation through Interdisciplinary Integration Xi Jinping profoundly pointed out:

"Original breakthroughs in areas such as information, life sciences, manufacturing, energy, space, and the oceans have provided more sources of innovation for frontier and disruptive technologies. The trends of cross-pollination and integration between disciplines, between science and technology, and between the natural sciences and the philosophy and social sciences are becoming increasingly apparent. Never before have science and technology so profoundly influenced the future and destiny of the nation, nor have they ever so profoundly influenced the well-being and welfare of the people." Breaking down the barriers between disciplines, leveraging the advantages of disciplinary integration, and discovering, analyzing, researching, and solving problems from a multi-disciplinary perspective are inevitable requirements for the development of contemporary academic disciplines. Promoting the cross-pollination and integration of the discipline of Marxist theory with CPC Party History and Party Building ^[7], Discipline Inspection and Supervision ^[8], as well as economics, political science, and sociology, is also an internal necessity for the continuous improvement of the disciplinary system of Marxist theory. In recent years, the Party and the state have attached great importance to reshaping the disciplinary system in line with the trends of the times. The "Implementation Measures for Coordinated Promotion of the Construction of World-Class Universities and First-Class Disciplines (Provisional)" clearly states the need to "encourage emerging and interdisciplinary subjects" and to "orient toward major national strategic needs, the main battlefield of economic and social development, and the frontiers of global science and technology—highlighting the quality and efficiency of construction, social contribution, and international influence, while emphasizing disciplinary cross-pollination, integration, and collaborative innovation." The "Opinions on Accelerating the Reform and Development of Graduate Education in the New Era," issued by the Ministry of Education, the National Development and Reform Commission, and the Ministry of Finance, further requires the "establishment of emerging interdisciplinary categories to support the development of strategic emerging disciplines." The "Catalogue of Disciplines and Specialties for Graduate Education (2022)," issued by the Academic Degrees Committee of the State Council and the Ministry of Education, innovatively established "Interdisciplinary Studies" as a category, making it the 14th disciplinary category in China's academic system. The discipline of Marxist theory has also conducted in-depth explorations in disciplinary integration; for example, the University of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (UCASS) established "China Studies" as a secondary discipline ^[9], connecting Marxist theory with philosophy, history, political science, and communication studies, dedicated to creating a "Marxist theory discipline cluster." It must be profoundly recognized that the discipline of Marxist theory possesses unique advantages in terms of cross-disciplinary integration: first, the advantage of its standpoint, viewpoint, and method, which can consolidate the foundations of other disciplines using a scientific worldview and methodology; second, its broad horizon for posing and solving problems, which allows interdisciplinary scientific research to begin from both frontier issues and essential questions.

III. The Construction of the Knowledge System of the Discipline of Marxist Theory

1. Building the knowledge system of basic Marxist theory Xi Jinping has profoundly pointed out that "possessing the guidance of scientific Marxist theory is the fundamental basis for our Party to strengthen its faith and belief and to grasp historical initiative," and "adhering to the guidance of Marxism is the fundamental hallmark that distinguishes contemporary Chinese philosophy and social sciences from other philosophy and social sciences." This elucidates the decisive significance of adhering to Marxism for the development of the cause of the Party and the country, and particularly for the development of Chinese philosophy and social sciences. How to understand Marxism in the New Era and how to apply the Marxist standpoint, viewpoint, and method to solve China's practical problems are major subjects that Chinese Communists must continue to answer. The development of the discipline of Marxist theory is both a theoretical generalization of practice and historical experience, and a deep exploration for the continuous advancement of theoretical innovation. The knowledge system of the Marxist theory discipline is a core component of the autonomous knowledge system of Chinese philosophy and social sciences, and it plays a leading role in the construction of knowledge systems in other disciplines. Fundamentally, this is determined by the scientific, pro-people, and practical characteristics of Marxism. Marxism provides a scientific worldview and methodological foundation for the development of Chinese philosophy and social sciences, ensuring that the construction of various disciplinary knowledge systems is always based on the worldview and methodology of dialectical materialism and historical materialism, thereby demonstrating the dialectical unity of scientific rigor and value orientation.

To build the knowledge system of basic Marxist theory, on the one hand, we must strengthen textual research on Marxist classics, and refine and develop the interpretive system for basic Marxist concepts, categories, and principles to fully display the historical landscape and theoretical genealogy of Marxist development. We should emphasize the use of analytical technologies such as big data and artificial intelligence to advance textual criticism and contextual analysis of Marxist classics, thereby effectively enhancing the systematic and scientific nature of textual research. Particular attention should be paid to conducting more systematic and comprehensive research on weak points in the history of Marxist development. For example: how to understand the "two ruptures" ^[10] proposed in the Manifesto of the Communist Party and their contemporary value; how to understand the "two nevers" ^[11] proposed by Marx in the "Preface to A Contribution to the Critique of Political Economy"; how to better understand "why capitalism has not yet completely perished, why socialism experienced setbacks like the disintegration of the Soviet Union and the drastic changes in Eastern Europe, and why the communism foreseen by Marxism requires a long period of historical development to realize"; how to better understand the "logic of capital" in Capital and how to better harness capital; and how to recognize Engels’ proposition in The Origin of the Family, Private Property and the State that "the state is a summary of civilized society" ^[12] to better understand the origins and developmental process of the 5,000-year history of Chinese civilization. On the other hand, we must focus on contemporary interpretations of Marxist classics, deeply studying the enduring intellectual value of these works. This requires emphasizing both textual reading and contextual analysis, while also focusing on responding to reality. We must bridge the transformational logic between theoretical topics, practical problems, and academic issues, establishing methodological paths for extracting theoretical propositions and research topics from concrete practice.

2. Building the knowledge system of Marxism Sinicized and adapted to the times Advancing the Sinicization and adaptation of Marxism to the times is a process of pursuing, revealing, and practicing truth. In this process, the CPC has led the people in building a knowledge system of Sinicized and modernized Marxism with distinct Chinese and seasonal characteristics. During the sixth collective study session of the Political Bureau of the 20th CPC Central Committee, Xi Jinping pointed out: "Why the CPC is capable, and why socialism with Chinese characteristics is good, is ultimately because Marxism works, and Marxism Sinicized and adapted to the times works. This is the conclusion of history." This is the most profound revelation of the historical logic since the founding of the CPC, elucidating the internal logic between Sinicized/modernized Marxism and Marxism itself, the CPC, and socialism with Chinese characteristics. To continuously enhance the theoretical consciousness of Chinese Communists, strengthen the theoretical identification of the masses, and demonstrate the practical value of innovative theories, it is necessary to build a knowledge system of Marxism Sinicized and adapted to the times.

To this end, we must continuously optimize the mechanisms for academic expression, theoretical explanation, and popular dissemination of the theoretical achievements of Sinicized/modernized Marxism. We must scientifically grasp the dialectical relationship between classic foundational theories and contemporary practical developments, deeply study major issues in the development of Marxism in contemporary China and the contemporary world, and research major topics in the theory and practice of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the New Era. We must also study key and difficult issues in the education and teaching of Ideological and Political Theory Courses ^[13]. In particular, we must "focus on new problems encountered in practice, deep-seated problems in reform, development, and stability, the urgent anxieties and hopes of the people, major issues in the changing international landscape, and prominent problems facing Party building," so as to effectively avoid phenomena such as "de-centering" or "de-regularization" caused by fragmented or isolated research. This knowledge system was gained by the CPC leading the people through bloody battles and arduous struggles; it was not created by a few people behind closed doors. On March 24, 1964, Mao Zedong spoke with Bo Yibo, Li Xiannian, Tan Zhenlin, and others. Discussing the nationwide surge in studying "Chairman Mao’s Works," he said: "Those are all past writings. Now I would like to write something, but I am old and lack the energy. In the Selected Works of Mao, what is mine? These are works of blood. The things in the Selected Works were taught to us by the masses and were paid for with the price of bloodshed and sacrifice." This knowledge system focuses on both the mainstream and the tributaries, theoretical investigation and practical response, and the upholding of principles alongside endogenous innovation, aiming to build an interpretive system of Sinicized and modernized Marxism with greater explanatory power, resonance, and appeal.

3. Building a general and systematic disciplinary knowledge system In a fundamental sense, Marxist theory is a science that reveals the objective laws of nature, human society, and human thought based on absorbing the essence of human civilization. This determines that the knowledge system of the Marxist theory discipline cannot and should not be a closed system; instead, it must emphasize the foundational, logical, open, and innovative nature of the knowledge system itself. Based on changes in the world, the country, and the Party, it must form a knowledge architecture that covers core fields while possessing the capacity for dynamic updates. To this end, we must build a knowledge system at the level of principles starting from basic Marxist theory, adhere to a problem-oriented approach to build an application-level knowledge system, and focus on the common and underlying logic of human knowledge to break down disciplinary barriers and promote cross-disciplinary knowledge integration. In particular, we should emphasize absorbing and drawing on the research methods and academic paradigms of political science, sociology, history, economics, and anthropology. Grounded in China's reality, responding to the people's needs, and manifesting the spirit of the times, we should build a "knowledge bridge" for dialogue between Marxist theory and other disciplines in the philosophy, social, and natural sciences. Furthermore, based on the calls and needs for building a community with a shared future for humanity, we should build a knowledge system of mutual learning between civilizations to address the common challenges of the globalized era.

IV. Construction of Textbooks, Courses, and Personnel in the Discipline of Marxist Theory

1. Building the textbook system of the Marxist theory discipline "The disciplinary system and the textbook system are inseparable. If the construction of the disciplinary system does not advance, the textbook system cannot advance; conversely, if the textbook system does not advance, the disciplinary system will lack stamina." After long-term development, the discipline of Marxist theory has formed a relatively complete textbook system, covering the interpretation of classic works, the explanation of basic principles, the summary of theoretical innovations, and practical applications. This has provided the foundational conditions for advancing the integrated construction of ideological and political education across primary, secondary, and tertiary levels. Facing new circumstances, we must profoundly grasp the laws governing textbook system construction and promote it with high quality. We must deeply study and master the Marxist theoretical system, the textbook system, the teaching system, and their interconnections to form a Marxist theory textbook system that adapts to the trends of time, reflects the requirements of social development, stays at the international academic frontier, and possesses a sound structural system.

The construction of the disciplinary system should grasp three points: profoundly reflecting the requirements of the Party’s innovative theories (which is the essential requirement); systematically summarizing achievements and major deficiencies in existing disciplinary construction (the primary task); and scientifically drawing on relevant foreign academic achievements (an important aspect). Textbook construction must be based on disciplinary construction, concentrating elite forces and collective wisdom to compile textbooks and readers that have a broad knowledge base, new research methods, rigorous systemic logic, and are acceptable to a wide range of readers.

2. Building the curriculum system of the Marxist theory discipline Xi Jinping pointed out: "The Ideological and Political Theory Course (sīzhèng kè) is the key course for implementing the fundamental task of fostering virtue through education (lìdé shùrén). Its role is irreplaceable, and the responsibilities of the sīzhèng kè teacher workforce are heavy." The construction of sīzhèng kè is an important link and carrier for the construction of the Marxist theory discipline. Advancing curriculum system construction requires adhering to the combination of the "two-point theory" ^[14] and the "theory of priority" ^[15]. This involves focusing both on the construction of the ideological and political curriculum (sīzhèng kè)—grasping key and core courses and refining core course clusters—and on "Curriculum Ideological and Political" (kèchéng sīzhèng) ^[16], which involves scientifically building a practical teaching system, strengthening the development of digital course resources, and adjusting overlapping course settings to achieve internal synergy within the curriculum system.

At the level of operating mechanisms, emphasis should be placed on feeding back into disciplinary construction through teaching practice, promoting educational practice through academic research, and advancing disciplinary construction through educational practice. We must discover, analyze, and solve problems within curriculum construction and teaching activities, forming a curriculum optimization mechanism of theoretical innovation, teaching application, and feedback. This will effectively resolve the tension between theoretical logic and teaching logic, the separation between knowledge transmission and value guidance, and the imbalance between educational stages and hierarchical progression. We must strengthen the sequential and structural connection between courses on reading classic original works and sīzhèng kè, enhance the organic link between foundational disciplinary courses and professional electives, and achieve an organic unity of gradients in sīzhèng kè across different stages of education.

3. Building the talent cultivation system of the Marxist theory discipline

The discipline of Marxist theory serves as a powerful support for universities to fulfill the fundamental task of fostering virtue through education and cultivating socialist builders and successors. Over a long period, the personnel training system for the discipline of Marxist theory has been continuously refined—progressing from the establishment of undergraduate majors in Ideological and Political Education to the creation of master's programs in Ideological and Political Education and Marxist Theory Education, followed by doctoral programs in Marxist Theory and Ideological and Political Education, and finally to the establishment of first-level discipline master's and doctoral degree authorization points in Marxist Theory. Since the start of the New Era, the Party and the state have "strengthened and improved ideological and political education in schools, establishing an integrated mechanism for educating people through the participation of all staff, throughout the entire process, and in all dimensions." This period has seen active exploration of a tiered training system connecting undergraduate, master's, and doctoral studies within the discipline of Marxist theory, producing a vast number of teaching and research talents. In the future, greater emphasis should be placed on problem-orientation and demand-orientation, better grasping the focal points and key links of talent cultivation through the relationship between supply and demand. Talents in this field should possess a firmer faith, capable of using Marxism to resolutely defend communist ideals; possess broader knowledge, capable of continuously raising and solving problems; and possess a more proactive sentiment for conducting scholarship for the people, studying and working for the interests of the people.

4. Building the Contingent of Teachers in the Discipline of Marxist Theory "The key to running ideological and political theory courses well lies in the teachers, and specifically in tapping into their initiative, proactivity, and creativity." The contingent of Marxist theory researchers and teachers constitutes the main body of disciplinary construction; it is necessary to cultivate a group of great masters and renowned experts in Marxist theory. Since the 18th CPC National Congress, the Party and the state have comprehensively strengthened the construction of the contingent of ideological and political course teachers. They have insisted on letting those with faith talk about faith and those with patriotic sentiment talk about patriotism, promoting the construction of a contingent of ideological and political teachers characterized by "strong politics, deep sentiment, innovative thinking, broad vision, strict self-discipline, and upright personality." This contingent, characterized by sentiments for home and country, for preaching the Way ^[17], and for benevolence, must actively transmit the mainstream ideology, clear-headedly oppose and resist various erroneous trends of thought and speech, and guide the youth to "button the first button of life" correctly ^[18]. The role of this contingent is to help young students transform the myriad "knowledge points" they have learned into "ability lines" for solving problems, preventing them from becoming hopelessly submerged in an ocean of various concepts, discourses, and neologisms; it also enables students to master Marxism as a sharp weapon to clearly recognize and consciously struggle against various erroneous viewpoints.

V. Building the Academic Community of the Marxist Theory Discipline

1. Standardized Construction of the Academic Community The standardized construction of the academic community for the Marxist theory discipline is an inherent requirement for disciplinary development. It is also key to maintaining the ecosystem of academic development, ensuring the scientific nature of academic research, and enhancing ideological security. Regarding positions and principles, we must emphasize the consistent adherence to the guiding position of Marxism and guard against the erosion and infiltration of academic research by erroneous trends such as historical nihilism ^[19]. Regarding academic ethics, we must optimize the peer review mechanism for the quality of academic outputs and academic norms, raising the level of professionalization in peer evaluation. Meanwhile, we must fully utilize the achievements of technological development—especially artificial intelligence—to improve the prevention and governance system for academic misconduct. Regarding the construction of academic style, we must adhere to the Marxist academic style of integrating theory with practice, uphold the unity of academic research and political stance, oppose dogmatism and pragmatism, correctly handle the relationship between "upholding the fundamentals" and "breaking new ground," and explicitly oppose deviating from the fundamental direction in pursuit of mere novelty.

2. Professionalized Construction of the Academic Community First, we must conduct a statistical inventory of the academic resources of the Marxist theory discipline, optimizing and reshaping, scientifically allocating, and effectively transforming existing resources. We should build dialogue mechanisms for the academic community, construct national disciplinary collaboration platforms, and set up a collaborative network for the academic community. Second, we must innovate forms of scientific research, breaking through restrictions in dimensions such as time, space, organization, and mechanism, and explore and promote models for collaborative breakthroughs in research projects. Third, we must optimize and perfect the disciplinary evaluation system, fully considering academic indicators such as academic, practical, and methodological innovation, as well as value leadership, reality-explaining power, and social influence. We should pay attention to both immediate and longitudinal assessments, establishing a dynamic and periodic evaluation system. Fourth, we must promote the diversification of output formats, incorporating decision-making consultation reports, theoretical publicity achievements, textbook compilation, and the compilation and translation of classical works into the evaluation system to enhance the scientific nature of talent appraisal.

3. Socialized Construction of the Academic Community The discipline of Marxist theory is not one that remains confined to speculative deduction; rather, it always resonates with the development of the cause of the Party and the state and moves in the same direction as the Party's innovative theories. It is a realistic and practical discipline, reflected both in its observation of and responses to practical problems and in its extraction and summation of practical experience. On the New Journey, to continue advancing the construction of the Marxist theory discipline, we must enhance the discipline's ability to respond to reality and its capacity to serve the Party's long-term governance, the country's lasting peace and stability, and long-term social stability. In particular, emphasis should be placed on improving the discipline's capacity for decision-making consultation services, the popularization of Marxist theory, and academic communication. We should establish integrated channels for theoretical research and policy research, effectively using the Party's innovative theories to research and solve prominent problems required by development, urged by reform, anticipated by the grassroots, and desired by the people. Simultaneously, we should summarize experience, reveal laws, and sublimate theory through this process.

4. Internationalized Construction of the Academic Community First, we should fully leverage the unique advantages of academic platforms in the external communication of ideas, optimizing and expanding the cooperation networks of overseas Marxist research institutions and creating more branded international academic conferences. Second, we must be "adept at refining idiomatic concepts and creating new concepts, categories, and expressions that are easy for the international community to understand and accept, guiding the international academic community to carry out research and discussion." Third, we must strengthen the construction of the international communication system for academic discourse and innovate the overseas dissemination paths of Chinese Marxist theory. We should focus on strengthening theoretical persuasiveness and communication effectiveness as well as academic interpretation, further connecting the relationships between the academic interpretation system, narrative discourse system, and mass communication system. Simultaneously, we should strengthen the dialogue and exchange between Chinese Marxist scholars and foreign Marxists, enhance exchanges between domestic and foreign think tanks, promote overseas China studies, and—through exchange and cooperation—build consensus, expand the "circle of friends," and enhance international discourse power.

VI. Opportunities and Challenges Facing the Construction of the Marxist Theory Discipline

The construction of the Marxist theory discipline faces many opportunities. Since the 18th CPC National Congress, the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has attached high strategic importance to the construction of the Marxist theory discipline. General Secretary Xi Jinping has delivered a series of important discourses on Marxist theory research and construction at forums including the Symposium on Philosophy and Social Sciences, the National Education Conference, the National Conference on Ideological and Political Work in Universities, and the Symposium for Teachers of Ideological and Political Theory Courses in Schools.

In 2022, the report to the 20th CPC National Congress pointed out the need to "implement the Marxist Theory Research and Construction Project in depth and speed up the development of Chinese-characteristic systems of disciplines, academic systems, and discourse systems for philosophy and social sciences, and cultivate a strong contingent of talent in philosophy and social sciences." In 2024, General Secretary Xi Jinping issued important instructions on the Marxist Theory Research and Construction Project in the New Era, emphasizing that "the Marxist Theory Research and Construction Project is a foundational and strategic project for the Party's ideological and theoretical building." He noted that we must "adhere to the 'Two Combinations', take root in the land of China, carry forward the Chinese cultural lineage, and deepen the academic foundation." We must "deeply research major issues in the practice of advancing the building of a strong country and the great cause of national rejuvenation through Chinese-path modernization, accelerate the construction of an autonomous knowledge system for Chinese philosophy and social sciences, cultivate high-quality theoretical talents, and make greater contributions to promoting the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism."

At the same time, to strengthen ideological and political work, the construction of ideological and political courses, and the discipline of Marxist theory, the Central Committee and relevant departments have issued a series of documents. These include the Opinions on Strengthening and Improving Ideological and Political Work in the New Era, the Several Opinions on Deepening the Reform and Innovation of School Ideological and Political Theory Courses in the New Era, the Opinions on Strengthening the Construction of Schools of Marxism in the New Era, and the Construction Standards for Schools of Marxism in Formally Recognized Universities. These provide scientific ideological guidance and an institutional foundation for continuously improving the scientific, standardized, and modern level of Schools of Marxism, helping to integrate resources to create a strong fortress for Marxist theory education, teaching, research, publicity, and talent cultivation.

At the institutional, policy, and mechanical levels, the construction of the Marxist theory discipline has solid guarantees. Meanwhile, regarding disciplinary resources, the great social revolution since the New Era has provided rich theoretical and practical resources for the development of the discipline. Regarding disciplinary momentum, against the background of the "changes unseen in a century" ^[20], how to handle the relationships between China and the world, the Party and the state, and the Party and the people are realistic tasks that the Marxist theory discipline urgently needs to resolve and requires original answers. Regarding disciplinary methods, the innovation of research methods brought by the information technology revolution provides a rare opportunity and precious conditions for the Marxist theory discipline to construct its own academic paradigm and methodological system.

The construction of the Marxist theory discipline also faces many challenges. First, faced with a new situation where social ideas and value orientations are increasingly active, where mainstream and non-mainstream coexist, and where various social trends of thought are in flux, our ideological struggle with the US and the West will become more intense, complex, and volatile. The US and the West's attempts to surround, block, penetrate, and interfere with China's philosophy and social sciences will be further strengthened. The ability to resist the impact of diverse trends of thought in the ideological field and to provide theoretical responses urgently needs to be further enhanced. Second, with the advancement of a new round of technological revolution represented by artificial intelligence and big data, the construction of the Marxist theory discipline faces a large number of complex themes of the times, practical problems, and theoretical issues that require answers. There is an urgent need to research topics such as relations of production in virtual space, people's political concepts, and ideological struggle, and to construct a 21st-century Marxist theoretical system oriented toward modern science and technology—particularly embodied intelligence and quantum technology. Simultaneously, we must be vigilant against the potential ethical crises triggered by artificial intelligence. Third, at present, the Marxist theory discipline still faces problems such as homogenized construction, a shortage of high-level strategic talents, and imbalanced regional development. It is necessary to base ourselves on reality and look to the future to further strengthen the top-level design and strategic planning of the discipline.

Upholding the fundamentals and breaking new ground is an inevitable requirement and precious experience for the development of the Marxist theory discipline. "Only by upholding the fundamentals can we avoid losing our way or making subversive mistakes; only by breaking new ground can we grasp and lead the times." On the New Journey, to continuously promote the development of the Marxist theory discipline, we must always maintain the consciousness of upholding the fundamentals and breaking new ground. We must support, guide, and encourage the academic community to take Chinese reality as the starting point for research, putting forward subjective and original academic viewpoints. We should construct a Marxist theory disciplinary system, academic system, and discourse system with Chinese characteristics. From a perspective that combines universality and particularity, nationality and worldliness, stage-specificity and long-term nature, and the "ought" (应然) and the "is" (实然), we must profoundly summarize China's experience in revolution, construction, reform, and development, injecting fresh vitality into the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism.

Xi Jinping pointed out: "Innovation in philosophy and social sciences can be large or small; revealing a law is innovation, putting forward a theory is innovation, elucidating a principle is innovation, and creating a way to solve a problem is also innovation." The construction of the Marxist theory discipline must profoundly grasp its disciplinary positioning, adhere to a macro-historical view and a global perspective, and be both long-term oriented and focused on the present. We must have the world in our hearts while keeping our feet on the ground, emphasizing innovation in theory and practice as much as in methodology and communication. In the process of promoting the construction of the Marxist theory discipline system, knowledge system, textbook system, curriculum system, and talent training system, we will provide theoretical support and talent guarantees for comprehensively building a modern socialist country and provide powerful spiritual strength for comprehensively promoting the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

(Author’s Affiliation: Institute of Marxism Studies, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences)
Source: Journal of Ideological and Theoretical Education (思想理论教育导刊), Issue 6, 2025
Editor: Huihui