Socialist Thought: A General Outline

Author: Chief Editor: Xiao Guiyu and others
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2001-10-01
Features: Excerpt: II. The Significance of Studying the History of Socialist Thought in Deepening the Understanding of Deng Xiaoping Theory
Arming the entire Party with the theory of Deng Xiaoping is a fundamental strategic task proposed by the 15th National Congress to strengthen and improve the Party's construction in the new era, advance reform and opening up, and promote socialist modernization. To grasp this theory in a complete, accurate, and systematic manner, deepen its understanding, and elevate the study of the history of socialist thought to its rightful position, holds multifaceted significance.
First, studying and researching the history of socialist thought helps broaden horizons, expand perspectives, and increase knowledge, placing Deng Xiaoping Theory within the historical long river of the emergence, development, and evolution of socialist thought. Renowned Chinese educator and historian Chen Yuan once summarized his academic experience in discussing theoretical research as follows: "Trace the stream to its source and examine its beginning and end." This means that studying the history of socialist thought enables us to understand how socialism transformed from utopia to science, how scientific socialism spread from Europe to the rest of the world, evolved from theoretical dissemination to the rise of workers' revolutionary movements, and further developed into the birth and expansion of socialist states, ultimately opening up and shaping the new situation of building socialism with Chinese characteristics. Studying the history of socialist thought also allows us to recognize, through historical comparison and international observation, how Deng Xiaoping Theory inherited and developed Marxism and why it is called the Marxism of contemporary China. Additionally, it helps us genuinely grasp the developmental laws of socialist thought, enabling us to analyze new situations, solve new problems, summarize new experiences, guide new practices, and continuously advance the great cause of building socialism with Chinese characteristics.
Second, studying and researching the history of socialist thought helps comprehensively summarize historical experiences and correctly approach historical legacies. By summarizing and drawing lessons from both positive and negative socialist historical experiences, we can deepen our understanding of Deng Xiaoping Theory. The history of socialist thought is essentially a reflection of the historical process and experiences of socialist movements in the realm of ideas. Among them, the history of scientific socialism is the theoretical expression and scientific summary of the historical experience of the working class in transforming capitalism and building socialism. As we know, all realistic social phenomena and ideological concepts are products of history. The world of today is a continuation of past history, while today's struggles paint the canvas of future history. Without understanding the past, one cannot understand the present or the direction of the future world. People always stand at the intersection of history and reality, drawing analyses of the present and future from the perspective of historical materialism. In summary, historical materialism requires us to connect the past, present, and future of the object of our understanding as an inseparable historical process. Studying and researching Deng Xiaoping Theory must follow this principle as well. This theory is the inheritance and development of Marxism-Leninism and Mao Zedong Thought, a call from new historical conditions and new practices, and it was "gradually formed and developed on the basis of summarizing the historical experiences of socialist successes and setbacks in our country and drawing lessons from the historical successes and failures of socialism in other countries." Therefore, without understanding Marxism-Leninism, Mao Zedong Thought, and socialist historical experiences, one cannot deeply grasp Deng Xiaoping Theory.
Third, studying and researching the history of socialist thought helps clarify the boundaries between scientific socialism and various non-scientific socialist ideologies, enhances our ability to discriminate, analyze, and critique, and strengthens our consciousness and determination in building socialism with Chinese characteristics. The history of socialist thought not only showcases the historical process of the emergence and development of scientific socialism but also reflects its forerunners—the utopian socialism—as well as the evolution of various non-proletarian and non-scientific socialist trends and schools. It describes the various opportunistic or dogmatic, sectarian errors that emerged internally in the history of scientific socialism's development and analyzes the process of contradictions, conflicts, and struggles between scientific socialism and these trends, schools, and tendencies. The diverse socialist ideologies in the world today have evolved from complex and winding historical trajectories. To deeply understand and firmly grasp Deng Xiaoping Theory, one must be skilled in historical comparison and international observation; only through such comparisons and observations can one truly recognize the correctness of our Party's theory of building socialism with Chinese characteristics and understand that this theory aligns with the interests and requirements of the broad masses of the people.
Afterword: The book Outlines of the History of Socialist Thought was compiled on the basis of our many years of teaching the history of socialist thought to students in the Central Party School's advanced training courses, training programs, and graduate programs. Under the care of Vice Principal Yang Chun and with the guidance of renowned experts such as Jiang Liu, Zhao Yao, and Zhang Shigu, it was reviewed and approved by the Textbook Review Committee of the Central Party School and published. The contributors to this book (in order of surname) are: Wang Hong (Chapters 8 and 11), Wang Huiqun (Chapter 1), Bai Pinghao (Chapters 17, 19, and 24, Preface to the Third Part), Liu Yufen (Chapter 17), Liu Haitao (Chapters 14 and 15), Yan Shuhan (Chapter 27), Li Ming (Chapter 20), Yang Jifan (Chapter 23), Zhang Zhongyun (Conclusion), Zhang Shigu (Introduction), Zhang Haiyan (Chapters 7, 8, 9, 10, and 12, Prefaces to the Second and Fourth Parts), Jiang Yue (Chapter 16), Zhao Yao (Preface to the General Introduction), Qin Defen (Chapter 26), Xiao Guiyu (Chapters 2, 3, 4, 5, , Preface to the Fifth Part), Cui Qinglian (Chapters 18 and 22), Peng Peiwen (Chapters 6, 13, 21, and 25). The entire book was organized, compiled, and finalized by Chief Editor Xiao Guiyu and Zhang Haiyan. Zhu Kexin participated in the editing work. This book was reviewed and provided with valuable suggestions for revision by Professors Zhao Yao, Tang Youlun of the Central Party School, and Yan Zhimin of Peking University. During the compilation process, we also incorporated the research findings of relevant experts and scholars and received enthusiastic assistance from concerned colleagues. We extend our gratitude here. Vice Principal of the Academic Affairs Department Yue Changling, Deputy Director Li Yuanchao, and colleagues Xu Yue and Wu Fengqin of the Textbook Department participated in the editing and administrative work of this book. Due to our limited capabilities, errors are inevitable, and we sincerely invite criticism and suggestions from all experts and readers. Editors August 1997