Comprehensive Thinking: The Methodology of the Chinese Communist Party in the New Era

Within the perspective of Marxist epistemology, the question of whether thinking or being is primary has been scientifically resolved through practical materialism. However, the question of how thinking can effectively grasp being and thereby guide practice remains a methodological proposition that must be continuously deepened in practice. For a political party, the scientific nature and contemporaneity of its thinking method directly affect the depth of its cognition of the laws of social development and its capacity to respond to the issues of the times. It is precisely in the interweaving of this theoretical logic and practical logic that comprehensive thinking, as the core thinking method of the Chinese Communist Party in the New Era, has gradually been elevated from empirical summation into a methodological system with distinct Chinese characteristics and features of the times.

在马克思主义认识论视域中，思维与存在何者为第一性的问题已通过实践唯物主义得到科学解答。然而，思维如何有效把握存在进而指导实践的问题，始终是一个需要在实践中不断深化的方法论命题。对于一个政党而言，思维方法的科学性与时代性，直接关系到其对社会发展规律的认知深度、对时代课题的回应能力。正是在这一理论逻辑与实践逻辑的交织中，全面性思维作为新时代中国共产党的核心思维方法，逐渐从经验总结升华为具有鲜明中国特色、时代特征的方法论体系。

From High-Frequency Term to Methodology:

从高频词到方法论：

The Theoretical Self-Awareness of Comprehensive Thinking

全面性思维的理论自觉

In the reports of the 19th National Congress of the CPC and the 20th National Congress of the CPC, the word "comprehensive" (全面) appears 96 and 109 times respectively. This data is by no means an accidental linguistic preference, but rather a concentrated expression of the Chinese Communist Party's theoretical self-awareness regarding thinking methods in the practice of governing the country. From "comprehensively building a moderately prosperous society" to "comprehensively building a modern socialist country," from "comprehensively deepening reform and opening up" to "comprehensive and strict governance of the Party," "comprehensive" as a core concept runs through all fields and links of the Party's governance, essentially reflecting a systematic and holistic thinking paradigm. The essence of this thinking paradigm lies in: on the one hand, emphasizing a panoramic cognition of the essence and laws of things—grasping the various constituent elements of an object and their interrelations through all-round, multi-dimensional observation and analysis; on the other hand, focusing on the thoroughness and synergy of action plans—constructing logically self-consistent and elementally coupled practical paths on the basis of cognition, ultimately achieving the dialectical unity of subjective purpose and objective law.

党的十九大与党的二十大报告中，“全面”一词分别出现96次、109次，这一数据绝非偶然的语言偏好，而是中国共产党在治国理政实践中对思维方法的理论自觉的集中体现。从“全面建成小康社会”到“全面建设社会主义现代化国家”，从“全面深化改革”到“全面从严治党”，“全面”作为核心概念贯穿于党治国理政的全领域、各环节，本质上反映了一种系统性、整体性的思维范式。这种思维范式的要义在于：既强调对事物本质与规律的全景式认知——通过全方位、多维度的观察与分析，把握对象的各个构成要素及其相互关系；又注重行动方案的周密性与协同性——在认知基础上构建逻辑自洽、要素耦合的实践路径，最终实现主观目的与客观规律的辩证统一。

From a philosophical origin perspective, comprehensive thinking is highly consistent with the "practice—cognition—re-practice" logic of Marxist epistemology. Comprehensive thinking is neither a fantasy divorced from practice nor a fragmented empirical summary, but a methodology of "unity of knowledge and action" rooted in practice. It requires both the comprehensiveness of "knowledge"—grasping the universal connections of things through systematic thinking—and emphasizes the synergy of "action"—avoiding practical deviations of a single dimension through strategic coordination. In essence, it is a creative transformation of the traditional Chinese wisdom of "unity of knowledge and action" and, moreover, a development of Marxist epistemology adapted to the needs of the times.

从哲学渊源看，全面性思维与马克思主义认识论的“实践—认识—再实践”逻辑高度契合。全面性思维既非脱离实践的玄想，亦非碎片化的经验总结，而是以实践为根基的“知行合一”方法论。它既要求“知”的全面性——通过系统思维把握事物的普遍联系，又强调“行”的协同性——通过战略协同避免单一维度的实践偏差，本质上是对中国传统“知行合一”智慧的创造性转化，更是对马克思主义认识论的时代化发展。

In traditional philosophical discourse, "comprehensiveness" is often regarded as a derivative characteristic of dialectical thinking (the three major characteristics of dialectical thinking are connectivity, developmental nature, and comprehensiveness). However, with the increasing complexity of social practice and the deepening of theoretical research, it is necessary to re-examine this understanding. First, the core of dialectical thinking lies in contradiction analysis; its focus is on the unity of opposites of the two sides of a contradiction. Although it emphasizes connection and development, it inherently carries a practical tendency to "grasp the principal contradiction." Comprehensive thinking, on the other hand, focuses more on the holistic nature of the system of contradictions. It requires that while grasping the principal contradiction, the interaction of secondary contradictions should not be neglected, thereby effectively avoiding falling into the metaphysical error of "either/or." Second, as a universal method, dialectical thinking cannot fully encompass specific thinking forms such as strategic thinking, systematic thinking, and law-based thinking. Third, from a semantic perspective, "comprehensive" (全面) in the Chinese context has the rich connotation of "complete, thorough, covering all dimensions." Condensing it into an independent thinking method is more conducive to constructing a theoretical discourse system with Chinese characteristics, avoiding ambiguity in understanding caused by conceptual nesting.

在传统哲学话语体系中，“全面性”往往被视为辩证思维的衍生特征（辩证思维的三大特征是联系性、发展性、全面性）。但随着社会实践的不断复杂化和理论研究的日益深化，有必要重新审视这一认知。其一，辩证思维的核心在于矛盾分析，其关注重点在于矛盾双方的对立统一关系，虽强调联系与发展，却天然带有“抓主要矛盾”的实践倾向；而全面性思维更加聚焦于矛盾系统的整体性，它要求在把握主要矛盾的同时，也不忽视次要矛盾的相互作用，从而有效避免落入“非此即彼”的形而上学误区。其二，辩证思维作为一种普适性方法，难以完全涵盖战略思维、系统思维、法治思维等具体思维形态。其三，从语义学角度看，“全面”在汉语语境中具有“完整、周密、覆盖所有维度”的丰富内涵，将其凝练为独立的思维方法，更便于构建具有中国特色的理论话语体系，避免因概念嵌套导致的理解歧义。

From Specific Methods to a Methodological System:

从具体方法到方法论体系：

The Overarching Construction of Comprehensive Thinking

全面性思维的统摄性建构

In the practice of governing the country, General Secretary Xi Jinping has put forward a series of specific thinking methods: from the early "five major forms of thinking" (strategic thinking, dialectical thinking, innovative thinking, law-based thinking, and bottom-line thinking) to the "six major forms of thinking" (with the addition of historical thinking), and then to systematic thinking, people-oriented thinking, and precise thinking mentioned in literature reviews, forming a methodological community with distinct levels and complementary functions. Strategic thinking focuses on the overall situation and the long term, providing a macro perspective for decision-making; historical thinking emphasizes historical logic and realistic reflection, helping decision-makers understand the connection between the past and the present; systematic thinking focuses on the correlation between elements and structural optimization, promoting the comprehensiveness of decision-making; law-based thinking emphasizes the authority of rules and procedural justice, ensuring the compliance of decision-making; bottom-line thinking focuses on risk prevention and boundary delineation, ensuring the safety of decision-making; people-oriented thinking adheres to value positions and the principal role of the people, ensuring the people-centered nature of decision-making. Innovative thinking can break through traditional thinking models, providing new perspectives and methods to identify potential opportunities and threats in a rapidly changing environment, and formulate more forward-looking and creative strategic plans. At the same time, each thinking method also has limitations. For example, strategic thinking may neglect details due to excessive abstraction, historical thinking may weaken innovation due to indulgence in experience, and systematic thinking may reduce efficiency due to an emphasis on synergy.

习近平总书记在治国理政实践中提出了一系列具体思维方法：从早期的“五大思维”（战略思维、辩证思维、创新思维、法治思维、底线思维）到“六大思维”（新增历史思维），再到文献梳理中提及的系统思维、民本思维、精准思维等，形成了一个层次分明、功能互补的方法论群落。战略思维着眼于全局与长远，为决策提供宏观视角；历史思维则强调历史逻辑与现实观照，帮助决策者理解过去与现在的联系；系统思维关注要素之间的关联与结构优化，促进决策的全面性；法治思维强调规则权威与程序正义，确保决策的合规性；底线思维聚焦风险防控与边界划定，保障决策的安全性；民本思维坚守价值立场与人民主体，确保决策的人民性。创新思维能够突破传统思维模式，提供新的视角和方法，以便在快速变化的环境中识别潜在机遇和威胁，制定出更具前瞻性和创造性的战略计划。与此同时，每种思维方法也存在局限性，如战略思维可能因过度抽象而忽视细节，历史思维可能因沉溺经验而弱化创新，系统思维可能因强调协同而降低效率。

The essence of comprehensive thinking is to achieve the organic integration and command of specific thinking methods through the methodological principle of "overall planning and coordination of all parties." It is not a simple superposition of specific thinking, but through the practical mechanism of "multi-angle analysis—multi-means verification—multi-subject coordination," it ensures that decision-making both conforms to historical logic (historical thinking), grasps current contradictions (contradiction analysis), takes into account long-term goals (strategic thinking), strictly adheres to rule boundaries (law-based thinking), prevents major risks (bottom-line thinking), and responds to the needs of the people (people-oriented thinking). This overarching nature is embodied in three levels: First, at the cognitive dimension, comprehensive thinking requires breaking through the limitations of a single perspective and constructing a panoramic cognitive framework of "macro—meso—micro." Second, at the practical dimension, it emphasizes the coordination mechanism of "top-level design—middle-level connection—grassroots implementation," avoiding "fragmentation" in policy implementation. Third, at the value dimension, it adheres to the unity of "the criterion of truth—the criterion of history—the criterion of the people," ensuring that development outcomes conform to objective laws, follow the trend of the times, and meet the needs of the people.

全面性思维的本质是通过“总揽全局、协调各方”的方法论原则，实现对具体思维方法的有机统摄。它不是具体思维的简单叠加，而是通过“多角度分析—多手段验证—多主体协同”的实践机制，确保决策既符合历史逻辑（历史思维）、又把握现实矛盾（矛盾分析）、兼顾长远目标（战略思维）、严守规则边界（法治思维）、防范重大风险（底线思维）、回应人民需求（民本思维）。这种统摄性体现在三个层面：其一，在认知维度上，全面性思维要求突破单一视角的局限，构建“宏观—中观—微观”的全景式认知框架。其二，在实践维度上，强调“顶层设计—中层衔接—基层落实”的协同机制，避免政策执行中的“碎片化”。其三，在价值维度上，坚持“真理尺度—历史尺度—人民尺度”的统一，确保发展成果既符合客观规律，又顺应时代潮流，更满足人民需要。

The methodological system of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is a typical embodiment of comprehensive thinking. From the Five-Sphere Integrated Plan to the Four-Pronged Comprehensive Strategy, from the new development concept to the new development pattern, from "China's governance" to "a community with a shared future for mankind," these major theoretical innovations are all permeated with the essence of comprehensive thinking—focusing on the principal contradiction (such as the transformation of the principal social contradiction) without neglecting the chain reactions caused by secondary contradictions; emphasizing the systematic nature of top-level design while also focusing on the innovativeness of grassroots exploration; adhering to the essential stipulations of socialism while also absorbing the beneficial achievements of human civilization. This thinking method not only deepens the understanding of the laws of governance by the Communist Party, the laws of socialist construction, and the laws of human social development, but also constructs a discourse system for philosophy and social sciences with Chinese characteristics.

习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想的方法论体系，正是全面性思维的典型体现。从“五位一体”总体布局到“四个全面”战略布局，从新发展理念到新发展格局，从“中国之治”到“人类命运共同体”，这些重大理论创新无不贯穿着全面性思维的精髓——既聚焦主要矛盾（如社会主要矛盾的转化），又不忽略次要矛盾所产生的连锁反应；既强调顶层设计的系统性，又注重基层探索的创新性；既坚持社会主义本质规定性，又吸收人类文明有益成果。这种思维方法不仅深化了对共产党执政规律、社会主义建设规律、人类社会发展规律的认识，更构建了中国特色哲学社会科学话语体系。

From Theoretical Innovation to Practical Guidance:

从理论创新到实践指引：

The Practical Necessity of Comprehensive Thinking

全面性思维的现实必然性

At present, the world is undergoing changes unseen in a century, and China's development faces the principal contradiction of "unbalanced and inadequate development" and the complex situation of "unprecedented risks and challenges." This situation is reflected not only in tense geopolitical relations but also in global challenges such as environmental issues, resource shortages, and population problems. Domestically, economic transformation, social transformation, and cultural transformation are superimposed on each other, and traditional contradictions (such as the urban-rural gap and uneven regional development) are intertwined with newly emerging problems (such as the widening digital divide and intergenerational value conflicts), making it difficult for a single thinking model to effectively deal with complex systemic problems where "one move may affect the whole situation." Internationally, globalization and anti-globalization are intertwined, traditional security and non-traditional security are superimposed, and isolated, static, and one-sided ways of thinking can no longer adapt to the characteristics of an era of "interconnection of all things." Against this background, the practical significance of comprehensive thinking becomes increasingly prominent.

当前，世界正经历百年未有之大变局，我国发展面临着“发展不平衡不充分”的主要矛盾与“风险挑战前所未有”的复杂局面。这一局面不仅体现在地缘政治的紧张关系上，还包括环境问题、资源短缺、人口问题等全球性挑战。从国内看，经济转型、社会转型与文化转型相互叠加，传统矛盾（如城乡差距、区域发展不均衡）与新出现的问题（如数字鸿沟扩大、代际间观念冲突）相互交织，使得单一思维模式难以有效应对那些“牵一发而动全身”的复杂系统性问题；从国际看，全球化与逆全球化交织，传统安全和非传统安全叠加，孤立、静止、片面的思维方式已无法适应“万物互联”的时代特征。在此背景下，全面性思维的现实意义愈发凸显。

First, holistic thinking is the key to resolving the “development paradox.” Since reform and opening up, China has achieved globally recognized accomplishments in the economic sphere, but it has also accumulated problems such as ecological environmental damage and uneven development between urban and rural areas and among regions. These problems are essentially the result of one-dimensional development. Holistic thinking requires that development be for the people, rely on the people, and that its fruits be shared by the people. It emphasizes the coordinated advancement of the “Five-Sphere Integrated Plan” [8]8 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the Symposium on Philosophy and Social Sciences,” May 17, 2016. for economic, political, cultural, social, and ecological progress, providing methodological guidance for resolving the contradiction of unbalanced and inadequate development.

其一，全面性思维是破解“发展悖论”的关键钥匙。改革开放以来，我国在经济领域取得了举世瞩目的成就，但也积累了生态环境破坏、城乡区域发展不均衡等问题。这些问题本质上是单向度发展的结果。全面性思维要求发展为了人民、发展依靠人民、发展成果由人民共享，强调经济、政治、文化、社会、生态文明建设的“五位一体”统筹推进，为解决不平衡不充分的发展矛盾提供了方法论指引。

Second, holistic thinking is a strategic choice for responding to “global changes.” In today’s deeply globalized world, the common challenges facing humanity (such as climate change, public health, and terrorism) are increasing, and no country can remain unaffected. The concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind, proposed by General Secretary Xi Jinping, is a vivid practice of holistic thinking in

其二，全面性思维是应对“全球之变”的战略选择。在全球化深入发展的今天，人类面临的共同挑战（如气候变化、公共卫生、恐怖主义）日益增多，任何国家都无法独善其身。习近平总书记提出的构建人类命运共同体理念，正是全面性思维在国际政治领域的生动实践。它既坚持本国发展的主体性，又强调各国利益的共同性；既维护国际规则的权威性，又推动全球治理的民主化；既关注当下的危机应对，又着眼人类文明的永续发展。这种思维方法超越了零和博弈的西方中心主义，为全球治理提供了中国方案。

Third, holistic thinking is an inevitable requirement for strengthening “theoretical consciousness.” General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasizes: “To accelerate the construction of philosophy and social sciences with Chinese characteristics, the fundamental task is to construct an independent knowledge system of China.” [8]8 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the Symposium on Philosophy and Social Sciences,” May 17, 2016. As a methodology refined by the Chinese Communist Party in practice, holistic thinking not only inherits the essence of Marxist epistemology but also absorbs the nourishment of traditional Chinese wisdom (such as “the harmony of yin and yang” and “the unity of heaven and humanity”), and moreover responds to the practical needs of the New Era, serving as an important support for constructing an independent knowledge system of China. It not only deepens the theoretical interpretation of “Chinese governance” but also enhances the Chinese Communist Party’s explanatory power and leading capacity in the international discourse arena.

其三，全面性思维是强化“理论自觉”的必然要求。习近平总书记强调：“加快构建中国特色哲学社会科学，归根结底是建构中国自主的知识体系。”全面性思维作为中国共产党在实践中凝练的方法论，既继承了马克思主义认识论的精髓，又吸收了中国传统智慧（如“阴阳和合”“天人合一”）的养分，更回应了新时代的实践需求，是构建中国自主知识体系的重要支撑。它不仅深化了对“中国之治”的理论阐释，更提升了中国共产党在国际话语场域的解释力与引领力。

From the empirical exploration of “crossing the river by feeling the stones” to the systematic advancement of “top-level design plus grassroots innovation,” the Chinese Communist Party has continuously deepened its understanding of thinking methods over more than a century of struggle. Holistic thinking is both an inheritance and development of Marxist epistemology and a creative transformation of fine traditional Chinese culture; it is both a practical need for responding to the challenges of a complex era and a methodological manifestation of the conscious construction of philosophy and social sciences with Chinese characteristics. On the new journey of comprehensively building a modern socialist country, holistic thinking will continue to play its guiding role of “commanding the overall situation and coordinating all parties,” leading us to enhance historical initiative in grasping laws, to demonstrate confidence in the theory in responding to challenges, and to provide solid methodological support for realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

从“摸着石头过河”的经验探索，到“顶层设计+基层创新”的系统推进，中国共产党在百余年奋斗中不断深化对思维方法的认知。全面性思维既是对马克思主义认识论的继承与发展，也是对中华优秀传统文化的创造性转化；既是应对复杂时代挑战的实践需求，也是自觉构建中国特色哲学社会科学的方法论体现。在全面建设社会主义现代化国家的新征程上，全面性思维将继续发挥其“总揽全局、协调各方”的指导作用，引领我们在把握规律中增强历史主动，在应对挑战中彰显理论自信，为实现中华民族伟大复兴提供坚实的方法论支撑。

(The authors are researchers at the Research Base for the Chinese National Community of the National Ethnic Affairs Commission (Kashi University); Secretary of the Party Committee of Kashi University)

（作者系国家民委中华民族共同体研究基地（喀什大学）研究员；喀什大学党委书记）

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