Research on the Sinicization of Marxism

Author: He Jiling
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-05-01
Features: The theory established by Marx and Engels has pointed the direction for the development of human society. However, combining the basic principles of Marxism with the realities of a country and its historical characteristics to formulate correct theories, policies, programs, and guidelines, thereby guiding the continuous victories of the Chinese revolution, construction, and reform, presents the issue of realizing the sinicization of Marxism. The sinicization of Marxism primarily refers to the integration of Marxism with traditional Chinese culture, enabling Marxism to acquire a national expression in China, with Chinese style and flavor. Mao Zedong expressed his stance on this matter, stating, "We are historical materialists of Marxism, and we should not break with history. From Confucius to Sun Yat-sen, we should sum up and inherit this precious legacy." Moreover, in the process of combining Marxism with traditional Chinese culture, "the 'foreign eight-legged style' must be abolished, the singing of empty and abstract slogans must be reduced, and dogmatism must take a rest, to be replaced by fresh and lively Chinese style and flavor that the Chinese people love and welcome." Secondly, "it is necessary to completely and appropriately unite the universal truths of Marxism with the specific practice of the Chinese revolution, that is to say, to combine it with the characteristics of the nation, to express it in a certain national form, and only then can it be useful; it must not be applied subjectively or formulaically." The application of Marxism must be grounded in the realities of China, avoiding the mechanical use of individual phrases, conclusions, or judgments of Marxism, and instead, employing the perspectives and methods of Marxism to specifically study the history and current situation of China, and to analyze and solve China's practical problems in a concrete manner. Additionally, the fundamental attitude towards Marxism is to advance theoretical creation by combining with new practices, rather than stagnating at Marxism's existing conclusions. It is necessary to continuously summarize the experience from practical work, to theoreticalize it, and thus to derive new conclusions and new viewpoints that are not found in Marxist textbooks, constantly pushing Marxism in China to new theoretical heights.