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A Study On Traditional Cultural Foundation Of The Theoretical System Of Socialism With Chinese Characteristics

Posted on:2013-01-28Degree:DoctorType:Dissertation
Country:ChinaCandidate:Q C XuFull Text:PDF
GTID:1115330374980718Subject:Marxism in China
Abstract/Summary:PDF Full Text Request
How to deal with the traditional culture has been a long-term pending dispute in modern China. The Communist Party of China (CPC), after founding, set out the correct principle to resolve this problem, but the right principle was severely undermined in the ultra left movement and the "Cultural Revolution", resulting in a debate on whether the traditional culture should be inherited by socialist culture for a long time after the reform and opening up policy was initiated. Since the reform and opening up policy was adopted, the CPC restored the correct guideline for treatment of traditional culture, but because of the long-term influence on ideology by the "left" thinking, more traditional culture have been broken while fewer innovations have been rolled out. From the late20th century until now, the ruling party, the academia and the folk have all developed a more comprehensive and profound understanding of the traditional culture, and reached consensus on inheriting and carrying forward the fine traditional culture. It is fair to say that well handling of the relationship between traditional culture and the Party's theoretical innovation is related to the smooth localization of Marxism in China, the modernization of traditional culture, and the future and destiny of the Chinese culture. Yet there are still many issues on how to inherit and carry forward traditional culture worth exploring. The CPC Central Committee has called for cultural development and prosperity, creating new splendor of Chinese culture while carrying forward the fine traditional culture and building a socialist country with strong culture, which requires us to further clarify the position and role of fine traditional culture in the construction of socialist culture and the Party's theoretical innovation, and to make useful studies on how to better enrich and develop the theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics on the basis of fine traditional culture.This paper strives to further clarify the status and role of traditional culture in the development of theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics on the basis of fine traditional culture, under the guidance of Marxism and drawing on the previous research results; analyses from a full and dynamic perspective the traditional culture basis of the development of theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics on the basis of fine traditional culture; discusses and summarizes the ways, mechanisms and characteristics of the development of theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics on the basis of fine traditional culture; and proposes the the line of thinking and proposals for the enrichment and development of theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics on the basis of fine traditional culture.The paper is divided into three parts-the introduction, the main body and the conclusion.The introduction part describes the object of study, significance, line of thinking, possible points of innovation and research methods, and combs and reviews the status of current academic researches.The main body is divided into five chapters.The first chapter demonstrates the historical inevitability for the development of theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics on the basis of fine traditional culture. First, it is the requirement by the law of cultural development. Seen from the general law of cultural development, the relative independence of cultural development requires high attention from the society to cultural development. The diversity and nationality of world cultural development shows that to maintain the national character of the advanced socialist culture is an important condition for Chinese culture to stand in the world cultural forest. The development of culture is innovation on the basis of inheritance, which requires us neither to abandon traditions, nor to be conservative. The law of development of cultural exchanges tells that to absorb all civilizations with an open and tolerant attitude is a prerequisite for inheriting cultural tradition and carrying forward local culture. To keep the advanced nature of culture in different times, continuous innovation is a must. Seen from the law governing the development of traditional Chinese culture, following the same strain is the spiritual foundation, freedom of thought is important condition, cultural openness is a prerequisite, and cultural awareness is intrinsic motivation. This requires that we consciously inherit the pulse of Chinese culture and carry forward the fine traditional culture. Second, this is the inherent requirement of the localization of Marxism in China. Taking traditional culture as the base for cultural development is an integral part of the localization of Marxism in China. Sinicization of Marxism in the new era is faced with the fundamental task of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, which essentially lies in the revival of Chinese culture. How to build and develop the Chinese culture is an important historical mission for the CPC. Third, it is the inherent requirement of the cultural development of the Chinese nation. To lose the tradition means to lose the genetic code of national culture. Therefore, the revival of Chinese culture must inherit and develop the Chinese culture. Fourth, the contemporary value of traditional culture is the internal basis of the cultural foundation of the development of theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics on the basis of fine traditional culture.The second chapter elaborates on the historical process and main achievements of the CPC's initiation and development of theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics on the basis of fine traditional culture. During the ten odd years after the "Cultural Revolution", the argument over the relationship between traditional culture and modernization and between traditional culture and Marxism reached a climax. Faced with the new total westernization and cultural conservatism, Deng Xiaoping and other Chinese communists advocated to resolutely eliminate the residual effects of feudal ideology in the traditional culture, promote the inheritance of eternal value of traditional culture, and make critical transformation and innovation of traditional culture. During this period, many important theories were proposed on the basis of the fine traditional culture, including the great concept of "peaceful reunification and one country, two systems", humanism, the theory of reform and opening up,"moderately prosperous society" and so on. Since the1990s, Jiang Zemin and other Chinese communists lifted the status of the excellent traditional Chinese culture to the height of national rejuvenation and survival while adhering the right principle of CPC for the treatment of traditional culture. In that period, the ancient thought "harmony but not uniformity" obtained new vitality; the concept of "building up the Party for the public and assuming administration for the people" was put forward by seeking wisdom from ancient times; the traditional thought of change got a new Marxist interpretation and the "keeping abreast with the times" theory came into being; the traditional idea and manner of running the country was learned and innovated, and "the rule of law combined with rule of virtue" was produced; and the idea to cultivate the national spirit in the new era on the basis of carrying forward the spirit of the Chinese nation was rolled out. In the new century, Hu Jintao and other Chinese communists, standing at a new historical starting point, capturing the general trend at home and abroad and paying more attention to the role of the fine traditional culture, have called on creating the new glory of Chinese culture while carrying forward the fine traditional culture, proposed the establishment of excellent traditional cultural heritage system and made concrete deployment. The main results on the theoretical innovation include:the pragmatic concept on the basis of traditional naive materialism, the concept of "putting people first" based on the traditional people-centered thought, the theory of "comprehensive, coordinated and sustainable development" on the basis of harmony between man and nature, the theory of "harmonious society" and "harmonious world" drawing upon the thought of harmony. The development of theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics on the basis of fine traditional culture is reflected on the unity of continuity and periodicity. Continuity is manifested in consistency, stability and principle, and periodicity means that the development of theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics on the basis of fine traditional culture turns more rational and conscious in every new phase of the development, and continue to expand the breadth and depth of the system with new results.The third chapter discusses about the distinctive characteristics and the basic experience of CPC's creating and developing the theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics on the basis of fine traditional culture. Both the Mao Zedong Thought and the development of theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics on the basis of fine traditional culture are the theoretical results of Marxism localization in China, new forms of Chinese culture, innovation and development based on traditional culture, of the same strain with much in common. But they also have respective personality. The latter not only shows the different wisdom and personality of the leaders, but also has different backgrounds and different problems to be addressed. It is also different in theoretical and practical characters, with a better manifestation of the unity between the unitary guiding ideology and diversified cultural development, between progress with the times and inheritance, between national character and integration into the world, between openness and independence, between theoretical innovation and practical development, etc. Moreover, the innovation and development of traditional culture showed different features in different historical stages of the formation and development of theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics on the basis of fine traditional culture. Deng Xiaoping and the Chinese communists recognized the importance of fine traditional culture, established the basic principles and framework, launched a systematic construction of the cultural system, and began thinking on cultural administrative system reform, which to some extent affected the attitude of the public to the traditional culture, but did not attract enough attention or generate greater social impact due to inadequate depth and breadth of understanding. Jiang Zemin and other Chinese communists had a more profound understanding of the status and role of traditional culture, vigorously promoted the inheritance and development of fine traditional culture, focused on institutional construction and started the cultural administrative system reform, which greatly stimulated the enthusiasm of the public. Hu Jintao and other Chinese communists attach great importance to the status and role of traditional culture, make full use of the foundation of traditional culture to promote cultural development and prosperity, by which the cultural system reform have made continuous major breakthroughs, cultural productivity has been greatly liberated and developed, and people's awareness and ability of participating in cultural activities have seen an unprecedented improvement. From Deng Xiaoping's theory to the scientific outlook on development, the cultural development concept has improved substantially, the understanding of traditional culture becomes more comprehensive and scientific, the excellent traditional culture is used in wider areas and at a deeper level, and more attention is paid to the collective wisdom of the masses for cultural innovation.The fourth chapter explores the ways and mechanisms to create and develop the theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics on the basis of fine traditional culture. The basic approach is as below. First, to combine the basic principle of Marxism with the fine traditional Chinese culture, and achieve the nationalization of Marxism (in China). The similarity between Marxism and traditional Chinese culture provides a bridge and foundation for their combination. The nationalization of Marxism is not only inherent requirement of the development of Marxist theory, but also the objective requirement of the Chinese revolution and construction. The nationalization of Marxism is in essence the nationalization of the basic tenets of Marxism, that is, to follow the ideological line of "seeking truth from facts", make in-depth study of Marxism, and effectively "four demarcations", so as to bring the nationalization of Marxism on the right track. Second, the fine traditional culture takes the basic principles of Marxism as guidance, and realize the Marxization of national culture. The Marxization of national culture is to use the Marxist stand, viewpoint and methods for analysing and understanding "traditional culture", inheriting and carrying forward the fine traditional culture and making innovations in the new historical conditions. On the Marxization of national culture, we also need to adhere to the ideological line of "seeking truth from facts", develop a comprehensive and scientific understanding of traditional culture, and overcome the negative factors in the traditional culture. Third, the basic tenets of Marxism and the fine traditional culture need to keep up with the times and be accepted by the public, which interact with the nationalization of Marxism and the Marxization of national culture in a mutual influential and promoting manner, and united in the whole process of localization of Marxism in China. The basic mechanisms include:First, the mechanism of political arena and forum interaction, namely, the Party's theoretical innovation depends not only on the foresight of the leaders, but also seeks support from the think tank of experts, absorbs a large number of theoretical and academic researches, and focuses on scientific theoretical innovation. Second, the mechanism of mass participation. The mass is the main force to inherit the fine traditional culture and create an advanced socialist culture. To guide the mass and give play to their creativity is both an essential requirement of Marxism, but a source of wisdom for the Party's theoretical innovation. Third, domestic and international cultural exchange mechanism, which is a manifestation of cultural exchange values of the Party. For the various national cultures and different cultures across the world (especially the latter), seeking common ground while reserving differences, complementarity and common development on the basis of mutual respect and equal treatment are the correct principles to maintain the vitality of cultural development and solve the contradictions and differences in cultural exchanges and intermediation.The fifth chapter puts forward the line of thinking and proposals to uphold and develop the theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics on the basis of fine traditional culture, after an objective analysis of current opportunities and challenges at home and abroad. Domestic opportunities include:first, the strong cultural awareness of CPC provides intrinsic motivation to develop the theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics on the basis of fine traditional culture. Second, since the start of reform and opening up, the sound and rapid economic development provides important conditions for developing the theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics on the basis of fine traditional culture. Third, political development in the new era offers environmental support for the development of theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics on the basis of fine traditional culture. International opportunities include:First, economic globalization has brought unprecedented opportunities for Chinese culture to go to the world. Second, cultural globalization has brought historical opportunities. Cultural globalization prompt us to know our own culture more consciously, and learn from each other and promote the progress of human civilization in the exchanges with the cultures of other countries. Third, global crisis inspires people's reflection on western culture and call for the conventional wisdom of China. Domestic challenges include:the impact of social change on traditional culture, the negative impact of market economy on traditional culture, the weakening of traditional culture and education, and lack of innovation in traditional culture. International challenges are:the world's cultural diversity threatened by the western cultural hegemony, cultural globalization bringing crisis to the national cultural identity, the negative cultural view produced in the process of cultural globalization causing the Chinese cultural crisis. The paper puts forward such line of thinking and proposals as:first, to take the scientific concept of traditional culture as the prerequisite, second, to focus on the great practice of socialism with Chinese characteristics as foothold, third, the economic foundation for sustainable development and good political environment serving as the guarantee, fourth, cultural innovation is the core, fifth, to strengthen party building is the key, sixth, higher quality of the people is the radical solution. The best breakthrough point to enhance the quality of the nation is universal reading. Universal reading should be lifted to the national strategic level to enhance the national quality which is the main force of theoretical and cultural innovation.The conclusion part makes a brief summary of the full text and briefs the main problems of the paper and the direction of future efforts.
Keywords/Search Tags:theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics, Chinese excellent traditional culture, cultural foundation
PDF Full Text Request
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