Engels' Theory And Practice Of Ideological And Political Education In His Late Years (1883-1895)

The later period of Engels(1883-1895) was in profound transformation of the world socialism and in a new stage of development of the proletariat and socialist movement. In this particular historical background, Marxist political and ideological education began to be an urgent and serious issue in the process of Marxist development mainly because of the relative stability of capitalism, the long time of difficulties of socialism and the defects of Marxist political party etc.. Engels, in his later period put forward of plenty of theoretical and practical studies about political and ideological education in the view of realization of socialism and communism, which was an important and basic component of theoretical system of Marxism political and ideological education. The thesis,in the perspective of ontology, aim, methodology and practice, expounds Engels’ theory and practice of political and ideological education in his later period and forward studies its historical position and present valueOntology of political and ideological education points to the theoretical basis and methodological gist in the process of Marxism political and ideological education. The theories of instilling, historical resultant force, human’full and free development, and the role of Marxist political party, which was expounded by Engels in his later period, make perfect the ontology basis of Marxist political and ideological education and display important support role to Marxist theoretical education cause and the process of political and ideological education.The aim of political and ideological education points to the problem of what’s the purpose of political and ideological education and essential answer of why political and ideological education happens. In the perspective of aim theory, Engels’discussion of political and ideological education in his later period was a space frame made up of key aim, direct aim and essential aim. The key aim is to strengthen Marxist theoretical education. The direct aim is to use Marxism to guide socialist political party to develop healthily. The essential aim is to use the communism thoughts to cultivate new men and build socialism and communism.The methodology of political and ideological education points to the general theoretical reflection of the most important and main means of political and ideological education. The content of Engels’thought about methodology of political and ideological education was composed of those problem of how to treat scientifically Marxism, advancing the integration of Marxism’s science and popularity, correctively dealing with the intra-party struggle, influencing on the thought inclination of young party members intellectuals and paying attention to the role of model education in the process of political and ideological education.The most important and essential character of Marxism is its obvious particularity of practice. The practice of Engels’political and ideological education in his later period was mainly embodied as the following aspects, such as hardly defending and developing Marxism, directing by himself the theoretical construction of some countries’proletariat parties, paying high attention to the political and ideological education of college students and self cultivation.It is of significance of Engels’ theory and practice of political and ideological education in the history of Marxism. As an important part of the whole thoughts of Engels in his later period, Engels’ theory and practice of political and ideological education in his later period was important starting point of political and ideological education as a discipline and the creation result of Marxism’s advancing with the time and popularity.It is of great value of Engels’ theory and practice of political and ideological education in his later period for the development of creation of contemporary China’s political and ideological education, which can be concluded as the following aspects: Firstly, with the guide of Engels’theory and practice of political and ideological education in his later period, we should grasp firmly the main line of Marxism theory of instilling and consolidate ceaselessly the leadership of Marxism in ideology, and form the strategy firmness. Secondly, with the guide of Engels’theory and practice of political and ideological education in his later period, we should continually create the methods of political and ideological education and strengthen the attractiveness of Marxism. Thirdly, with the guide of Engels’theory and practice of political and ideological education in his later period, we should pay high attention to and care about the education and cultivation of young college students, and insist on using socialist key values to direct the though advance and growing up og the young college students. Fourthly, with the guide of Engels’theory and practice of political and ideological education in his later period, we should recognize profoundly the important role of party building in the perspective of subject of political and ideological education, and strengthen ceaselessly the party building, explore the law of strictly ruling the party in new situation, through which to consistently build the party a strong subject of political and ideological education.