Introduction to Economic and Social Development Towards Happiness

Author: Sun Xiyou
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-01-01
Features: This book revolves around the research topic of "sustainable development of the economy and society," standing on a theoretical height. It critically absorbs the theories of Western economists on economic and social development while integrating the realities of China's current reform and opening-up and modern economic construction. Employing philosophical concepts and drawing from Marx's perspective of "the all-round development of humanity and society," the book proposes unique viewpoints and suggestions that offer reference and impetus for the coordinated development of China's economy and society. Since the reform and opening-up, China's economic construction has made significant progress, greatly enhancing its comprehensive national strength, continuously increasing per capita GDP, broadly improving people's income, and fostering the continuous development of various social undertakings. The 16th National Congress proposed guiding the practice of building socialism with Chinese characteristics with a scientific outlook on development, striving to achieve a well-off society in an all-round way and working toward the sustainable development of the economy and society. To achieve sustainable development of China's economy and society, it is essential to establish and implement a scientific outlook on development. Fully implementing the scientific outlook on development requires standing on a theoretical height, applying Marxism-Leninism, Mao Zedong Thought, Deng Xiaoping Theory, and the Important Thought of the Three Represents, critically absorbing the theories of Western economists on economic and social development, integrating the realities of China's current reform and opening-up and modernization efforts, reflecting on China's economic and social practices, and purposefully identifying new issues, summarizing new experiences, proposing new viewpoints, and constructing new concepts. In line with the requirements of the scientific outlook on development, it is necessary to achieve the "five coordinations" to effectively advance the coordinated development of China's economy and society.
The issues of economic growth and social development have long been major theoretical and practical concerns for economists and sociologists both in China and abroad. What is the purpose of economic growth and social development? From the historical and realistic perspectives, as well as the experiences and lessons of economic and social development in both the East and the West, economic growth and social development are not merely about the increase in GDP, the growth of material wealth, or the rise in corporate profits. Ultimately, they should be reflected in the all-round development of humanity and the full satisfaction of human needs. The manuscript submitted by Comrade Sun Xiyou offers unique insights on this matter. In the author's view, economic growth and social development should have their own humanistic care and humanistic dimension. At its core, economic growth and social development are ultimately aimed at achieving the all-round development of individuals.
Following the thread of Western social thinkers' explorations on the issue of happiness and combining it with the current realities of China's economy and society, the author employs philosophical concepts and, from the perspective of Marx's all-round development of humanity and society, grounded in the scientific outlook on development, proposes the judgment that the maximization of human happiness should be the highest goal of economic and social development. The author argues that development is not simply an increase in GDP, not an extensive growth, not something that brings pain to oneself or future generations, but rather a deep development of the economy and society, a harmonious development across economic, social, political, and cultural dimensions, and a development guided by the Human Development Index (HDI). In short, development is about bringing happiness to oneself, others, and future generations, and the highest standard of development is the maximization of human happiness.
Undoubtedly, the author's ideas presented above have their unique insights. Strictly speaking, this book is a sociological work, but based on my understanding of the author, his foundational professional background is in finance or economics. It is commendable that in recent years, the author has dedicated significant time and effort to pursuing a Ph.D. in philosophy and has successfully obtained the degree, equipping himself with the qualifications to observe and study issues of economic and social development from a philosophical and sociological perspective. I greatly admire this. Of course, some of the viewpoints and arguments in the book still require further refinement and deepening. For example, how to define the goal of economic growth as "the maximization of happiness" and distinguish it from utilitarianism, as well as how to achieve the organic unity of individual interests and collective interests, local interests and overall interests, material interests and spiritual interests, and immediate interests and long-term interests—all these are issues the author needs to contemplate deeply.
However, regardless of these points, the book remains a work with certain theoretical value and is expected to bring readers new reflections and insights.
Vice President of the Central Party School of the Communist Party of China and Doctoral Supervisor Wei Guang
November 30, 2004