Making Marxism One’s Core Competence

Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, Xi Jinping has repeatedly stressed that leading cadres must take Marxist theory as a compulsory course and regard learning and mastering Marxism as the core competence of Communists. By “compulsory course” is meant a course that must be studied and cannot be exempted. By “competence” is meant skill (ability), and “core competence” refers to that which occupies a dominant position among all competences, determining and influencing the formation and functioning of other competences. The extreme importance of “core competence” lies in the fact that, given objective conditions, the success or failure of all work depends on this subjective condition. Xi Jinping has not only repeatedly made such demands but has also personally presided over meetings of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee, taking the adherence to the basic principles of Marxism and the positions, viewpoints, and methods that run through them as the essence and living soul, and taking the lead in studying the basic principles of Marxism. On this issue, Xi Jinping stated clearly in his speech at the fifth group study session of the Political Bureau of the 19th Central Committee: “Studying the basic theories of Marxism is a compulsory course for Communists. Since the 18th National Congress, the group study sessions of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee have taken Marxist theory as their topic many times, successively studying the basic principles and methodologies of historical materialism, dialectical materialism, and Marxist political economy.” In addition, Xi Jinping has delivered important speeches at the National Conference on Propaganda and Ideological Work, the Forum on Literature and Art Work, the National Conference on Party School Work, the Forum on the Party’s News and Public Opinion Work, the Symposium on Philosophy and Social Sciences Work, the National Conference on Ideological and Political Work in Colleges and Universities, the Forum on Cybersecurity and Informatization Work, and the Symposium with School Ideological and Political Theory Course Teachers, among others. From multiple perspectives and levels, using constantly innovative discourse, he has put forward requirements for the vast number of Party members, cadres at all levels, and especially leading cadres, to study Marxism. These important expositions nourish the mind and inspire wisdom, stimulating the whole Party’s initiative and historical creativity in studying and practicing Marxism and the positions, viewpoints, and methods that run through it, thereby improving and optimizing the Party’s style of study, and enhancing the accurate judgment and grasp of the complex overall situation and major trends, as well as the scientific comprehension and implementation of the strategies for governing the country, by the vast number of Party members, especially leading cadres. This article attempts to offer some preliminary insights on this issue.

党的十八大以来，习近平多次强调领导干部要把马克思主义理论作为必修课，把学习和掌握马克思主义作为共产党人的看家本领。所谓“必修课”，就是指必须要修学而不能免修的课程。所谓“本领”即技能（能力），“看家本领”即在诸本领中占主导地位，决定和影响其他本领的形成和作用发挥的本领。“看家本领”的极端重要性在于，一切工作的成败，在客观条件既定的前提下，就取决于这一主观条件。习近平不仅多次提出这样的要求，而且还亲自主持中央政治局会议，以坚持马克思主义基本原理和贯穿其中的立场、观点、方法为精髓和活的灵魂，带头学习马克思主义基本原理。关于这个问题，习近平在十九届中央政治局第五次集体学习时的讲话中讲得明确：“学习马克思主义基本理论是共产党人的必修课。党的十八大以来，中央政治局集体学习多次以马克思主义理论为题，先后学习了历史唯物主义、辩证唯物主义、马克思主义政治经济学的基本原理和方法论。”此外，习近平还在全国宣传思想工作会议、文艺工作座谈会、全国党校工作会议、党的新闻舆论工作座谈会、哲学社会科学工作座谈会、全国高校思想政治工作会议、网络安全和信息化工作座谈会、学校思想政治理论课教师座谈会等会议上发表的重要讲话中，从多个视角、多个层面，以不断创新的话语，对广大党员、各级干部，特别是领导干部学习马克思主义提出了要求。这些重要论述，润心启智，激发了全党学习和践行马克思主义及贯穿其中的立场、观点、方法的积极主动性和历史创造性，从而改善并优化了党的学风，提高了广大党员，特别是领导干部对错综复杂的大局大势的准确判断和把握，对治国理政方略的科学领悟和贯彻落实。本文试就这个问题谈些初步认识。

I. Xi Jinping’s Clear Requirements for Studying Marxism

一、习近平关于学习马克思主义的明确要求

Xi Jinping’s important expositions on studying Marxism are systematic and comprehensive, rich in content, with clear requirements and specific measures. This article, inevitably selective, touches only on the following points.

习近平关于学习马克思主义的重要论述，系统全面、内涵丰厚，要求明确、措施具体。本文挂一漏万，仅谈以下几点。

First, institutions of higher learning, Party schools, and the like must make Marxism a compulsory course. Xi Jinping emphasizes that Party schools, academies of cadre training, academies of social sciences, institutions of higher learning, and theoretical study groups must all make Marxism a compulsory course and become important bastions for the study, research, and dissemination of Marxism. Xi Jinping points out that leading cadres, especially senior cadres, must regard the systematic mastery of basic Marxist theory as their core competence. Systematic mastery of basic Marxist theory is not only the core competence for doing all work well but also the core competence for universally mastering the art of winning at work. The level of Marxist theoretical attainment is a necessary quality for leading cadres and the ideological foundation for maintaining political firmness. For cadres, “to be competent for leadership work, the skills they need to master are many. The most fundamental skill is theoretical attainment.” Therefore, leading cadres must improve their theoretical attainment. Xi Jinping places high hopes on new cadres and young cadres, requiring them to grasp theoretical study, and through unremitting study, learn to use Marxist positions, viewpoints, and methods to observe and solve problems, and to strengthen their ideals and convictions. From the height of “strengthening the Party through theory,” Xi Jinping reiterates an important assertion by Mao Zedong. In October 1938, in “The Role of the Chinese Communist Party in the National War,” Mao Zedong, from the internal relationship between the historical tasks shouldered by the Party and the mastery of Marxism-Leninism, made a penetrating assertion with long-term impact on the development of the Party’s cause: “From the perspective of bearing the main leadership responsibility, if our Party has one hundred to two hundred comrades (the Party had over 500,000 members at the end of 1938—author’s note) who have systematically, not fragmentarily, and practically, not hollowly, learned Marxism-Leninism, it will greatly enhance our Party’s combat effectiveness.” Xi Jinping further emphasizes the great significance and irreplaceable role of Party cadres mastering Marxist theory for the great cause led by the Party.

第一，高校、党校等要把马克思主义作为必修课。习近平强调，党校、干部学院、社会科学院、高校、理论学习中心组等都要把马克思主义作为必修课，成为马克思主义学习、研究、宣传的重要阵地。习近平指出，领导干部特别是高级干部要把系统掌握马克思主义基本理论作为看家本领。系统掌握马克思主义基本理论既是做好一切工作的看家本领，更是要普遍掌握的工作制胜的看家本领。马克思主义理论素养是领导干部的必备素质，是保持政治上坚定的思想基础。干部 “要胜任领导工作，需要掌握的本领是很多的。最根本的本领是理论素养”。所以领导干部必须提高自己的理论素养。习近平对新干部、年轻干部更寄予厚望，要求他们抓好理论学习，通过坚持不懈学习，学会运用马克思主义立场、观点、方法观察和解决问题，坚定理想信念。习近平从“理论强党”的高度，重申了毛泽东的一个重要论断。1938年10月，毛泽东在《中国共产党在民族战争中的地位》中，从党所担负的历史重任与学会马克思列宁主义的内在关系上，作出了一个对党的事业发展具有长期影响的精辟论断——“在担负主要领导责任的观点上说，如果我们党有一百个至二百个（1938年底有50多万党员——笔者注）系统地而不是零碎地、实际地而不是空洞地学会了马克思列宁主义的同志，就会大大地提高我们党的战斗力量”。习近平更是强调了党的干部掌握马克思主义理论，对于党领导的伟大事业的重大意义和不可替代的作用。

Second, the scientific principles and scientific spirit of Marxism must be upheld. On April 23, 2018, in his speech at the fifth group study session of the Political Bureau of the 19th Central Committee, Xi Jinping particularly stressed that the general principles expounded in the *Communist Manifesto* “are still entirely correct as a whole.” He pointed out: “Although the *Communist Manifesto* was born 170 years ago, the basic principles it expounds have not become outdated, nor will they become outdated. I have said, ‘If you feel uneasy in your heart, go and delve into the classic works; read the *Communist Manifesto* several more times.’ What I am talking about is the principle of reviewing the old to learn the new. Today, as we revisit the *Communist Manifesto*, we must apply the scientific principles and scientific spirit it contains to the practice of coordinating the great struggle, the great project, the great cause, and the great dream, and continuously write a new chapter in upholding and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics in the New Era.” Xi Jinping emphatically stresses that today we must uphold six aspects of scientific principles and scientific spirit: unswervingly striving for the lofty ideal of communism and the common ideal of socialism with Chinese characteristics; faithfully practicing the people-centered development thought; following the trend of world development to promote building a community with a shared future for mankind; strengthening Party building in accordance with the new requirements of the New Era; continuously opening up new frontiers in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context; and strengthening the study and research of Marxist classics.

第二，要坚持马克思主义的科学原理和科学精神。2018年4月23日，习近平在十九届中央政治局第五次集体学习时的讲话中，特别强调《共产党宣言》 “所阐述的一般原理整个说来直到现在还是完全正确的”。他指出：“《共产党宣言》虽然诞生于170年前，但其阐述的基本原理没有过时，也不会过时。我说过，‘如果心里觉得不踏实，就去钻研经典著作，《共产党宣言》多看几遍’，讲的就是温故知新的道理。今天，我们重温《共产党宣言》，就是要把《共产党宣言》蕴含的科学原理和科学精神运用到统揽伟大斗争、伟大工程、伟大事业、伟大梦想的实践中去，不断谱写新时代坚持和发展中国特色社会主义新篇章。”习近平着重强调今天必须坚持六个方面的科学原理和科学精神：矢志不渝为共产主义远大理想和中国特色社会主义共同理想而奋斗；忠实践行以人民为中心的发展思想；顺应世界发展大势推动构建人类命运共同体；按照新时代新要求加强党的建设；不断开辟马克思主义中国化新境界；加强对马克思主义经典著作的学习研究。

On May 4, 2018, in his speech at the ceremony marking the 200th anniversary of Marx’s birth, Xi Jinping again stressed that from the publication of the *Communist Manifesto* to the present, “the general principles expounded by Marxism are still entirely correct as a whole.” We must uphold and apply the world outlook and methodology of dialectical materialism and historical materialism; uphold and apply Marxist positions, viewpoints, and methods; uphold and apply Marxist principles concerning the materiality of the world and its laws of development, the naturalness, historicity, and related laws of the development of human society, the laws of human liberation and free and comprehensive development, the essence of cognition and its laws of development; and uphold and apply the Marxist views on practice, the masses, class, development, and contradiction. Closely linking the new realities of the New Era, Xi Jinping emphasizes that Chinese Communists must learn from Marx, study and practice Marx’s thought in nine major areas: thought on the laws of human social development; thought on adhering to the people’s standpoint; thought on productive forces and relations of production; thought on people’s democracy; thought on cultural development; thought on social development; thought on the relationship between man and nature; thought on world history; and thought on the construction of a Marxist political party. These major judgments provide the whole Party with powerful ideological and theoretical armament.

2018年5月4日，在纪念马克思诞辰200周年大会上的讲话中，习近平再次强调，从《共产党宣言》发表到今天，“马克思主义所阐述的一般原理整个来说仍然是完全正确的”。我们要坚持和运用辩证唯物主义和历史唯物主义的世界观和方法论，坚持和运用马克思主义立场、观点、方法，坚持和运用马克思主义关于世界的物质性及其发展规律，关于人类社会发展的自然性、历史性及其相关规律，关于人的解放和自由全面发展的规律，关于认识的本质及其发展规律等原理，坚持和运用马克思主义的实践观、群众观、阶级观、发展观、矛盾观。习近平紧密联系新时代的新实际，强调中国共产党人要学习马克思，学习和实践马克思主义九大方面的思想：关于人类社会发展规律的思想；关于坚守人民立场的思想；关于生产力和生产关系的思想；关于人民民主的思想；关于文化建设的思想；关于社会建设的思想；关于人与自然关系的思想；关于世界历史的思想；关于马克思主义政党建设的思想。这些重大论断给全党提供了强大的思想理论武装。

Third, we must “strengthen the study and research of Marxist classics.” Xi Jinping emphasizes that Marxist classics contain and centrally embody the basic principles of Marxism and are the source and foundation of Marxist theory. Marxist classics include the rich intellectual achievements in the pursuit of truth drawn by the classic writers, and embody their unremitting pursuit and arduous journey in scaling the heights of scientific theory. Reading classics is itself a process of increasing knowledge, broadening horizons, deepening one’s thinking, and training one’s mode of thought; it is a process of cultivating far-sighted strategic insight and a down-to-earth work style. It will imperceptibly influence us with their noble bearing and moral strength, thereby elevating our own ideological realm and moral sentiment. At the same time, only by earnestly studying Marxist classics and systematically mastering the basic principles of Marxism can we fully and accurately understand the theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and can we creatively apply the Marxist stance, viewpoint, and method to analyze and solve the practical problems we face, continuously advancing the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

第三，要“加强对马克思主义经典著作的学习研究”。习近平强调，马克思主义经典著作蕴含和集中体现着马克思主义基本原理，是马克思主义理论的本源和基础。马克思主义经典著作包含着经典作家所汲取的人类探索真理的丰富思想成果，体现着经典作家攀登科学理论高峰的不懈追求和艰辛历程。阅读经典著作，本身就是增长知识、开阔眼界、增加思想深度和训练思维方式的过程，就是培养高瞻远瞩的战略洞察力和脚踏实地的工作作风的过程，会使我们在潜移默化中受到他们崇高风范和人格力量的熏陶，从而实现自己思想境界和道德情操的升华。同时，也只有认真学习马克思主义经典著作，系统掌握马克思主义基本原理，才能完整准确地理解中国特色社会主义理论体系，才能创造性地运用马克思主义立场、观点、方法去分析和解决我们面临的实际问题，不断把中国特色社会主义事业推向前进。

How should one study Marxist classics? Xi Jinping has a series of incisive expositions on this, for example: to study in a timely manner, “persist in believing through study, thinking through study, and acting through study”; to “study deeply, persistently, and diligently, study with problems in mind, and study in connection with reality”; to “persist in applying what one learns and using learning to promote study, study the original texts as they are, read thoroughly and ponder deeply, learn deeply and understand thoroughly, proficiently master the Marxist stance, viewpoint, and method, and continuously improve one’s Marxist theoretical literacy.”

如何学习马克思主义经典著作呢？习近平有一系列的精辟论述，例如，要跟进学，“坚持学而信、学而思、学而行”；要 “深入学、持久学、刻苦学，带着问题学、联系实际学”；要“坚持学以致用、用以促学，原原本本学，熟读精思、学深悟透，熟练掌握马克思主义立场、观点、方法，不断提高马克思主义理论素养”。

Xi Jinping creatively transformed and innovatively developed the three realms of life described by Wang Guowei [2]2 "Tree without roots" (无本之木): A Chinese idiom meaning something without a foundation, derived from classical usage; here Xi Jinping uses it to emphasize that, using them to advise leading cadres to study hard, to deeply learn and thoroughly understand Marxist theory, and to truly gain something. The first realm is “Last night the west wind withered the green trees; alone I climbed the high tower, gazing to the end of the road under heaven” [3]3 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the Symposium on Studying and Implementing the Spirit of the 19th National Congress of the CPC and the Inaugural Class for Provincial and Ministerial-Level Leading Cadres,” January 5, 2018. The “two overall situations” refer to the strategic overall situation of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and the changes unseen in a century in the world., which means that in reading, one must calm one’s mind to read thoroughly and painstakingly. The second realm is “My belt grows loose, and I will not regret it; for her I grow haggard and worn” [4]4 Xi Jinping, “Report to the 20th National, which means that in reading, one must be persistent and diligent, study hard and delve deeply, be willing to pay the price, be unyielding, and put in real, hard, and meticulous effort. The third realm is “I searched for her a thousand times in the crowd; suddenly turning back, I saw her there in the dimming lantern light” [5], which means that in reading, one must persist in independent thinking, combine learning with application, gain insight from learning, and gain results from application. These concise and penetrating expositions, on the one hand, show that “the Marxist classic writers had broad horizons and rich knowledge; the Marxist theoretical system and knowledge system are vast and profound, covering all fields of nature, human society, and human thought, and covering all aspects of history, economics, politics, culture, society, ecology, science and technology, military affairs, and Party building. Without great effort and hard work, it is difficult to grasp the true essence and achieve mastery.” On the other hand, they indicate that these important expositions embody his strong will and scientific spirit in diligently studying and practicing Marxist theory with real, hard, and meticulous effort; they contain his rich experience and cultural foundation in carefully studying Marxist classics; and at the same time, they are filled with his deep feelings and ardent expectations for the vast number of leading cadres. It is precisely for this reason that these important expositions, like war drums and heavy hammers, shake the hearts of the vast number of Party members, especially leading cadres, urging everyone to diligently study and practice the “fundamental skill.”

习近平对王国维讲的人生三种境界，加以创造性转化和创新性发展，用来规劝领导干部要下苦功学，把马克思主义理论学深悟透，真有所获。第一种境界是“昨夜西风凋碧树,独上高楼，望尽天涯路”，喻读书要静得下心来通读苦读。第二种境界是“衣带渐宽终不悔，为伊消得人憔悴”，喻读书要执着勤奋，刻苦钻研，舍得付出，百折不挠，下真功夫、苦功夫、细功夫。第三种境界是“众里寻他千百度，蓦然回首，那人却在灯火阑珊处”，喻读书要坚持独立思考，学用结合，学有所悟，用有所得。这些简洁而精透的论述，一方面说明，“马克思主义经典作家眼界广阔、知识丰富，马克思主义理论体系和知识体系博大精深，涉及自然界、人类社会、人类思维各个领域，涉及历史、经济、政治、文化、社会、生态、科技、军事、党建等各个方面，不下大气力、不下苦功夫是难以掌握真谛、融会贯通的”。另一方面表明，在这些重要论述中，凝聚着他勤学苦练马克思主义理论的真功夫、硬功夫、细功夫的坚强毅力和科学精神，内含着他精心研读马克思主义经典著作的厚实经验和文化底蕴，同时又饱含他对广大领导干部的深厚情怀和殷切期望。正是这样，这些重要论述如战鼓重锤震撼着广大党员，特别是领导干部的心灵，催动大家勤学苦练“看家本领”。

Fourth, we must open up new horizons in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times. In his report to the 20th National Congress of the CPC, Xi Jinping, from the height of the history of Marxist development, clearly put forward the strategic task of “opening up new horizons in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times,” and expounded the fundamental path and great significance of accomplishing this strategic task. Xi Jinping pointed out: “Only by integrating the basic principles of Marxism with China’s specific realities and with the best of traditional Chinese culture, and by adhering to the application of dialectical materialism and historical materialism, can we correctly answer the major questions raised by the times and practice, and can we always maintain the vigorous vitality and strong vitality of Marxism.” Here, “the Two Integrations” and “one adherence to application” indicate the fundamental principles and fundamental path of this strategic task; “the two ‘can we’” elucidate the great significance of this strategic task. Running through “the Two Integrations,” “one adherence to application,” and “the two ‘can we’” is the Marxist stance, viewpoint, and method. The sum of these elements converges on one point: persisting in upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground, unswervingly upholding and developing Marxism.

第四，要开辟马克思主义中国化时代化新境界。习近平在党的二十大报告中，从马克思主义发展史的高度，明确提出“开辟马克思主义中国化时代化新境界”的战略任务，阐述了完成这一战略任务的根本途径和重大意义。习近平指出：“只有把马克思主义基本原理同中国具体实际相结合、同中华优秀传统文化相结合，坚持运用辩证唯物主义和历史唯物主义，才能正确回答时代和实践提出的重大问题，才能始终保持马克思主义的蓬勃生机和旺盛活力。”这里，“两个结合”“一个坚持运用”指明了这一战略任务的根本原则和根本途径；“两个才能”阐明了这一战略任务的重大意义。贯穿“两个结合”“一个坚持运用”和“两个才能”的是马克思主义立场、观点、方法。这些要素之和，集中到一点，就是坚持守正创新，毫不动摇地坚持和发展马克思主义。

II. The Reasons for Emphasizing the Importance of Studying Marxism Why must the vast number of Party members, especially leading cadres, attach importance to the study of Marxist theory and improve their theoretical literacy? In summary, this is determined by the special heavy responsibilities they bear.

二、强调重视马克思主义学习的缘由广大党员特别是领导干部必须重视马克思主义理论学习，提高理论素养。这是为什么？概括起来说，这是由他们肩负的特殊重任所决定的。习近平反复告诫全党，“马克思主义是我们立党立国、兴党强国的根本指导思想”，“中国共产党为什么能，中国特色社会主义为什么好，归根到底是马克思主义行，是中国化时代化的马克思主义行”。领导干部特别是高级干部是我们党和国家的栋梁、骨干，“关键少数”。广大干部要担当得起立党立国、兴党强国的历史重任，就必须高度重视马克思主义理论学习，这已为党的百余年奋斗史所证明。关于这个问题，习近平从多个方面反复讲过，既深刻，又透彻。

First, Marxism is the "root" of Communists, and all cadres must master it. Xi Jinping pointed out: "Our Party takes Marxism as its founding root... the root of Communists. Without these, it is a tree without roots." Only by firmly grasping this "root" of Marxism and mastering the Marxist stand, viewpoint, and method can cadres never forget the original aspiration and founding mission of Communists, deeply understand and accurately grasp the laws governing the Communist Party's governance, the laws of socialist construction, and the laws of human social development; only then can they always maintain firm ideals and convictions, adhere to the guiding scientific thought and the correct direction forward amidst complex and changing circumstances, and soberly lead the people in continuously advancing the great cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

第一，马克思主义是共产党人的“本”，广大干部必须精通。习近平指出：“我们党以马克思主义为立党之本……共产党人的本。没有了这些，就是无本之木。”广大干部只有牢牢地把握住了马克思主义这个“本”，掌握了马克思主义立场、观点、方法，才能始终不忘共产党人的初心和使命，深刻认识和准确把握共产党执政规律、社会主义建设规律和人类社会发展规律；才能始终坚定理想信念，在纷繁复杂的形势下坚持科学指导思想和正确前进方向，清醒地带领人民把中国特色社会主义的伟大事业不断推向前进。

Second, ideological leadership is extremely important; only by mastering ideological leadership can all leadership be realized. People stand by thought, and mastering ideological leadership takes precedence over mastering all leadership. If ideological leadership cannot be mastered, people's thinking becomes chaotic, and all leadership cannot be mastered. This is because people's actions are governed by thought; whatever kind of thought one has determines whatever kind of action one takes, and erroneous thought will inevitably bring erroneous action. To master ideological leadership, the fundamental prerequisite and condition is to master the scientific principles and scientific spirit of Marxism. This is because we rely on the scientific principles and scientific spirit of Marxism to master ideological leadership—this is its authority and charm. Therefore, Xi Jinping refers to leading cadres' systematic mastery of the basic theories of Marxism as "the fundamental skill for doing all work well" and "the fundamental skill for winning at work that must be universally mastered." Regarding the importance of this issue, Mao Zedong spoke as early as October 1938. He said that our Party's task "is to lead a great nation of several hundred million people in carrying out an unprecedented great struggle. Therefore, the task of studying Marxist-Leninist theory universally and deeply is a major problem for us that urgently needs to be solved and can only be solved with focused effort." This is even more true today. The Communist Party of China, as the world's largest Marxist ruling party, leads more than 1.4 billion Chinese people in realizing Chinese-path modernization, opening up a new era of socialist modernization different from capitalist modernization. Its significance is even greater, its tasks even more arduous, and the great struggle it carries out is unprecedented in scale, complexity, and historical characteristics. To study Marxist theory universally and deeply, and especially to raise the level of Marxist theory among the pillars, backbone, and leaders at all levels of our Party and state to adapt to this great revolution, is an even more urgent major problem for our Party that must be solved with focused effort.

第二，思想领导权极端重要，掌握了思想领导权才能实现一切领导。人靠思想站立，掌握思想领导权居掌握一切领导之首位。如若掌握不了思想领导权，人们的思想混乱，就无法掌握一切领导权。这是由于人的思想支配行动，有什么样的思想就会有什么样的行动，错误思想必带来错误行动。而要掌握思想领导权，其根本前提和条件就是要掌握马克思主义的科学原理和科学精神。因为我们是靠马克思主义的科学原理和科学精神去掌握思想领导权的，这就是它的权威性和魅力所在。所以习近平把领导干部系统掌握马克思主义基本理论称为“做好一切工作的看家本领”，“必须普遍掌握的工作制胜的看家本领”。关于这个问题的重要性，毛泽东早在1938年10月就说过。他说，我们党的任务“是领导一个几万万人口的大民族，进行空前的伟大的斗争。所以，普遍地深入地研究马克思列宁主义的理论的任务，对于我们，是一个亟待解决并须着重地致力才能解决的大问题”。现在更是如此。中国共产党作为世界上最大的马克思主义执政党，领导14亿多中国人民实现中国式现代化，开辟了不同于资本主义现代化的社会主义现代化新纪元，其意义更加伟大，其任务更加艰巨，所进行的伟大斗争在规模、复杂程度和历史特点上都是前所未有的。普遍深入地研究马克思主义理论，特别是提高我们党和国家的栋梁、骨干、各级领导者的马克思主义理论水平，以适应这场伟大革命，对于我们党来说，更是一个亟待解决并须着力解决的大问题。

Third, adherence to Marxism concerns the fundamental nature of our Party. The relationship between Marxism and the Communist Party is that of “the brain” to “the heart.” If the Communist Party loses Marxism as its soul, it will inevitably lose its revolutionary class character. Regarding the fundamental nature of this issue, Communist parties abroad that have not yet taken power or have lost their ruling status feel this deeply. For example, when discussing the centenary of the founding of the Chinese Communist Party, Marco Rizzo, General Secretary of the Italian Communist Party, said that both the Italian Communist Party and the Chinese Communist Party were founded in 1921. The Chinese Communist Party has always adhered to the guiding role of Marxism, but the Italian Communist Party, after the 20th Congress of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union in 1956, embarked on a revisionist path. Subsequently, although Party members who opposed revisionism within the Italian Communist Party established new organizations, they did not re-establish Marxism as their guiding ideology. Hence, Italy remains to this day a country lagging behind in the socialist movement in Europe. [3]3 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the Symposium on Studying and Implementing the Spirit of the 19th National Congress of the CPC and the Inaugural Class for Provincial and Ministerial-Level Leading Cadres,” January 5, 2018. The “two overall situations” refer to the strategic overall situation of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and the changes unseen in a century in the world. Another example concerns the collapse of the Communist Party of the Soviet

第三，坚持马克思主义关系我们党的根本性质。马克思主义与共产党的关系是“头脑”与“心脏”的关系。如果共产党失去了马克思主义这个灵魂，必然失去革命的阶级本质。关于这个问题的根本性质，国外尚未执政的，或失去执政地位的共产党感受很深。例如，意大利共产党总书记马可·里佐在论中国共产党建党百年时说，意大利共产党与中国共产党都诞生在1921年，中国共产党一直坚持马克思主义的指导地位，可是意大利共产党在1956年苏共二十大以后，走上了修正主义道路，随后意大利共产党中反对修正主义的党员虽然建立了新的组织，但未重新确立马克思主义指导思想，所以，意大利至今在欧洲仍然是社会主义运动落后的国家。又如，关于苏共的瓦解，习近平指出：“如果社会主义在中国没有取得今天的成功，如果中国共产党领导和我国社会主义制度也在苏联解体、苏共垮台、东欧剧变那场多米诺骨牌式的变化中倒塌了，或者因为其他原因失败了，那社会主义实践就可能又要长期在黑暗中徘徊了，又要像马克思所说的那样作为一个幽灵在世界上徘徊了。”苏联解体和东欧剧变的原因有很多，但最根本的是苏共领导抛弃了马克思列宁主义。

Fourth, the Marxist theoretical level of our Party still needs to be improved. On 1 February 1942, in his speech at the opening ceremony of the Central Party School of the CPC, i.e., "Rectify the Party's Style of Work," Mao Zedong raised a question: "Is the theoretical level of our Party high or low?" Mao replied: "Our theoretical level is somewhat higher than in the past. But in terms of the rich content of the Chinese revolutionary movement, the theoretical front is very disproportionate; when the two are compared, the theoretical aspect appears very backward... We have not yet raised the rich reality to the appropriate theoretical level. We have not yet examined all problems, or major problems, of revolutionary practice and elevated them to the theoretical stage." [3]3 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the Symposium on Studying and Implementing the Spirit of the 19th National Congress of the CPC and the Inaugural Class for Provincial and Ministerial-Level Leading Cadres,” January 5, 2018. The “two overall situations” refer to the strategic overall situation of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and the changes unseen in a century in the world. Socialism with Chinese characteristics has entered a New Era. What is the Marxist theoretical level of our Party like? On the whole, our Party upholds integrity and innovation, adheres to the Two Integrations, and has founded the Marxism of contemporary China and Marxism of the twenty-first century—Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. This is an original contribution to Marxism, demonstrating that our Party's theoretical level has leaped to the height of the latest achievements of twenty-first-century Marxism. The Central Committee has implemented the Project of Marxist Theory Research and Development, forming across the country a "five-army force" of institutions of higher learning, philosophy and social science research institutions, Party schools and academies of administration, research institutions under Party and government departments, and military academies, producing a large number of high-quality works. It should be said that the Party's theoretical level has greatly improved compared to the past. However, the acceptance and mastery of the Party's innovative theory by the majority of Party members still requires a process. For the majority of Party members, the judgment Mao made back then still deserves serious attention. Now, not only does the problem exist of theoretical research lagging behind practical innovation, but also a considerable number of Party members, including some leading Party cadres, still cannot clearly distinguish Marxism from pragmatism and dogmatism, and are even unable to identify the essence of neoliberalism, historical nihilism, reactionary revivalism, and the like. Examples of this are not isolated; this is also the profound reason why batches of cadres have been corrupted and punished in recent years.

第四，我们党的马克思主义理论水平仍有待提高。1942年2月1日，毛泽东在中共中央党校开学典礼上的演说，即《整顿党的作风》中提出一个问题：“我们党的理论水平究竟是高还是低呢？”毛泽东回答道：“我们的理论水平是比较过去高了一些。但是按照中国革命运动的丰富内容来说，理论战线就非常之不相称，二者比较起来，理论方面就显得非常之落后……我们还没有把丰富的实际提高到应有的理论程度。我们还没有对革命实践的一切问题，或重大问题，加以考察，使之上升到理论的阶段。”中国特色社会主义进入了新时代，我们党的马克思主义理论水平怎么样呢？在总体上，我们党坚持守正创新，坚持“两个结合”，创立了当代中国马克思主义、二十一世纪马克思主义——习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想，这是对马克思主义作出的原创性贡献，表明我们党的理论水平已跃升到21世纪马克思主义最新成果的高度。中央实施马克思主义理论研究和建设工程，在全国形成了高等院校、哲学社会科学研究机构、党校行政学院、党政部门所属研究机构、军队院校“五路大军”，推出了大量精品力作。应该说，党的理论水平较之以前有了大大提高。但是党的创新理论为大多数党员所接受和掌握，还需要一个过程。对大多数党员来说，毛泽东当年作出的判断还值得高度重视。现在，不仅存在理论研究落后于实践创新的问题，而且为数不少的党员，包括部分党的领导干部还划不清马克思主义与实用主义、教条主义的界限，甚至不能识别新自由主义、历史虚无主义、反动复古主义等的本质。这方面的例证不是个别的，这也是近些年来一批一批干部被腐蚀、受到惩处的深刻原因。

III. The Urgency of Studying Marxism Diligently The requirement for leading cadres to study Marxism diligently is not only necessary but also urgent.

三、刻苦学习马克思主义的紧迫性要求领导干部刻苦学习马克思主义，不仅具有必要性，而且具有紧迫性。

First, the leading cadres of our Party need to be renewed from generation to generation; the new generation must replace the old. Batch after batch of veteran comrades retire from leading positions, and batch after batch of new forces take over and fill their posts. These new cadres, having received higher education, are active in thinking and bold in innovation, injecting vitality into the cadre ranks. At the same time, they are relatively lacking in systematic study of Marxist theory. To ensure the long-term stability and security of the Party and the state, the Marxist theoretical study of successive generations of new cadres must be firmly and effectively grasped.

第一，我们党的领导干部要更新换代，新一代人要取代老一代人，一批一批老同志从领导岗位上退下来，一批一批新生力量接替顶班。这些新干部，受过高等教育，思维活跃，勇于创新，为干部队伍注入了生机活力，同时他们相对缺乏系统的马克思主义理论学习，为确保党和国家长治久安，必须抓紧抓好一代一代新干部的马克思主义理论学习。

Second, some leading cadres of our Party still have shortcomings in their study of Marxist theory. Mao Zedong once sharply criticized that "our Party for many years has not read Marx and Lenin, has not highlighted Marx and Lenin... causing many people not even to know what materialism is, what idealism is." He emphasized that "we should particularly pay attention to propagating Marx and Lenin." [4]4 Xi Jinping, “Report to the 20th National However, in the 1980s, many schools neglected moral education and downplayed Marxist education; students at that time studied Marxism little, lacked a correct understanding of Marxism, and had a weak theoretical foundation. Later, many comrades made up for this through study at Party schools or academies of administration, or through self-study, but some still had theoretical shortcomings. This was not completely resolved until before the 18th National Congress of the CPC. Since the 18th National Congress, through comprehensive and strict governance of the Party, the situation in this regard has undergone a fundamental transformation. But completely resolving this problem of the spiritual realm not only requires a process but also needs a multi-pronged approach. For the majority of Party members, the basic path remains to strengthen the foundation, study Marxist theory diligently, and especially to thoroughly study and deeply understand Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, thereby improving their Marxist theoretical cultivation.

第二，我们党的一些领导干部在马克思主义理论学习上还存在一些短板。毛泽东曾尖锐批评“我党多年来不读马、列，不突出马、列……使很多人甚至不知道什么是唯物论，什么是唯心论”，他强调“应当特别注意宣传马、列”。但是在20世纪80年代，很多学校轻视德育，淡化马克思主义教育，在校生对马克思主义的学习少，对马克思主义缺乏正确认识，理论基础薄弱。后来很多同志通过上党校、行政干部学院学习或者自学补了课，但是仍有部分人存在理论短板。直到党的十八大之前也未得到彻底解决。党的十八大以来，经过全面从严治党，这方面的形势有了根本转变。但彻底解决这一精神世界的问题不仅需要一个过程，而且需要多管齐下。对于大多数党员来说，基本途径还是要强基固本，刻苦学习马克思主义理论，特别是要把习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想学深悟透，提高马克思主义理论素养。

Third, leading cadres, especially senior cadres, are one of the main targets of infiltration and corrosion by hostile Western forces. Now, the institutional game and value competition worldwide are unprecedentedly fierce. Hostile Western forces are intensifying their strategy of infiltration and corrosion against our country. Social thought is characterized by diversity, multiplicity, and variability. Some people advocate so-called "communism is a pipe dream" and "communism is outdated," while others label advocating communism as "leftist," to the point that some are ashamed to speak of communism. This force severely impacts the political faith and political resolve of every Party member, causing many Party cadres to lose political judgment, political vigilance, and ideals and beliefs in the face of severe tests. Ultimately, their worldview, outlook on life, and values have gone wrong, and some have even taken the path of crime and betrayal of the country. Xi Jinping points

第三，领导干部特别是高级干部是西方敌对势力实施渗透、腐蚀的主要对象之一。现在世界范围内的制度博弈和价值观较量空前激烈，西方敌对势力加紧对我国实施渗透、腐蚀战略，社会思想凸显多元多样多变的特征，有人宣扬所谓的“共产主义渺茫论”“共产主义过时论”，还有人给讲共产主义贴上“左”的标签，以至于有人羞于讲共产主义。这股势力严重冲击着每一个党员的政治信仰、政治定力，致使不少党员干部在严峻的考验面前，失去了政治判断力、政治警惕性、理想信念，归根到底是世界观、人生观、价值观出了问题，有的甚至走上犯罪叛国的道路。习近平指出，“只有理论上清醒才能有政治上清醒，只有理论上坚定才能有政治上坚定”，还强调说，“背离或放弃马克思主义， 我们党就会失去灵魂、 迷失方向。在坚持马克思主义指导地位这一根本问题上，我们必须坚定不移， 任何时候任何情况下都不能有丝毫动摇”。而要防止这种危险，只有加强马克思主义理论学习。因为“拥有马克思主义科学理论指导是我们党坚定信仰信念、把握历史主动的根本所在”。从世界社会主义发展史上看，这是一个关系党和国家生死存亡而又尚未得到解决的世界性难题，本质上就是要培养好社会主义接班人，防止社会主义国家和平演变。党的干部是其中的“关键少数”。所以，解决好党的干部的马克思主义理论修养问题，就是从共产党人的灵魂深处出发来解决这个世界性难题。今天我们应当从这样的政治高度来认识领导干部学习和践行马克思主义的重大意义。

Fourth, after China entered a new stage of development, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has set higher requirements for leading cadres. Xi Jinping pointed out: “Leading cadres must bear in mind two overall situations: one is the strategic overall situation of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, and the other is the changes unseen in a century in the world; these are the basic starting points for our planning of work.” [3]3 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the Symposium on Studying and Implementing the Spirit of the 19th National Congress of the CPC and the Inaugural Class for Provincial and Ministerial-Level Leading Cadres,” January 5, 2018. The “two overall situations” refer to the strategic overall situation of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and the changes unseen in a century in the world. However, it is very difficult to truly and consciously take the “two overall situations” as the basic starting point for planning work. This requires soberly answering a series of questions from the integration of theory and practice, history and reality, and domestic and international perspectives. For example, what exactly do the “two overall situations” mean? What new problems do they confront? What new requirements do they thus raise? How should we adapt to the new situation, carry out a great struggle with many new historical characteristics different from the past, continuously advance social revolution and self-revolution, and achieve victory? All of this requires a very high level of theoretical cultivation. Xi Jinping also pointed out: “At present, changes of the world, of the times, and of history are unfolding in ways like never before”; “The world has once again come to a crossroads in history, and where it goes depends on the choices of the people of all countries.” [4]4 Xi Jinping, “Report to the 20th National Based on this judgment, at this historical crossroads, China’s direction also faces a choice; there are many choices, and the theoretical choice determines the path, direction, and strategic overall situation, so it naturally must be considered first. Only by deepening the study and research of the basic principles of Marxism and the Party’s innovative theories, standing at the summit of the communists’ spiritual high ground, having a high degree of rational identification with scientific theory, a truthful scientific understanding of historical laws, an accurate and error-free grasp of the basic national conditions, and a firm belief in the “Four Consciousnesses” and the “Four Confidences” — in summary, only by properly resolving the issues of standpoint, viewpoint, and method can Party cadres make correct choices. Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is not only a correct worldview, outlook on life, and value system but also a scientific methodology and epistemology, and moreover a powerful ideological weapon for strengthening skills and fulfilling duties. Only by assiduously studying Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era can cadres at all levels, especially leading cadres, truly improve their Marxist theoretical literacy and their ability to solve practical problems, forming a political vision, theoretical competence, and work capability commensurate with their leadership positions. Although the Party Central Committee has repeatedly emphasized the importance and urgency of studying Marxism, in real life there are still many cadres who lack the consciousness and initiative to study Marxism. The specific reasons may each have their particularities, but from an ideological and cognitive perspective, there are probably two main points: First, some leading cadres lack a sense of responsibility and a sense of commitment. Their thoughts, actions, and deeds focus only on the immediate, including specific daily work such as economic construction, political construction, cultural construction, social construction, ecological civilization construction, Party building, national defense and military construction, and international strategy and diplomatic work. Undoubtedly, these aspects of work must be done well, because they are undertakings related to the overall, strategic, and forward-looking development of the Party and the state’s cause. But the problem lies in not subconsciously separating the specific work one is engaged in from the Party’s “Four Greats” (carrying out the great struggle, building the great project, advancing the great cause, and realizing the great dream) [5] that one is entrusted with, not seeing the grand long-term future, and limiting oneself to doing only the daily immediate work. Second, some leading cadres’ thinking only stays at the level of daily knowledge. They do not understand that for communists, studying Marxism is a political responsibility that must be fulfilled, a spiritual pursuit, and a way of life. The fundamental reason for this lies in “the lack of consciousness and initiative among the revolutionary leaders who are in leadership positions.” [6] Therefore, our Party’s leading cadres must, with a high degree of revolutionary consciousness, thoroughly understand and grasp a truth: “Without revolutionary theory, there can be no revolutionary movement,” and “Only a party guided by advanced theory can fulfill the role of an advanced fighter.” [7] They must understand that “the boldest steps forward are taken in the field that has long been the object of theoretical research, the field that has been cultivated mainly theoretically, even almost entirely theoretically.” [8] They must resolutely overcome the tendency to despise theory and theoretical work, attach great importance to the role of theory, and resolutely follow the spirit proposed by Xi Jinping: “Persist in learning for application, using learning to promote learning, learning the original text thoroughly, reading carefully and thinking deeply, learning deeply and understanding thoroughly, proficiently mastering the Marxist standpoint, viewpoint, and method, and continuously improving Marxist theoretical literacy,” [9] so as to truly master Marxism as a fundamental skill.

第四，我国进入新的发展阶段后，以习近平同志为核心的党中央对领导干部提出了更高的要求。习近平指出：“领导干部要胸怀两个大局，一个是中华民族伟大复兴的战略全局，一个是世界百年未有之大变局，这是我们谋划工作的基本出发点。”然而要真正自觉地以“两个大局”作为谋划工作的基本出发点很不容易，这需要从理论与实际、历史与现实、国内与国际的结合上，清醒地回答一系列的问题。例如，“两个大局”究竟意味着什么？它面对哪些新的问题？由此提出了哪些新的要求？应如何适应新的形势，开展同以往具有许多不同历史特点的伟大斗争，不断推进社会革命和自我革命，并取得胜利？这都需要很高的理论修养。习近平还指出：“当前，世界之变、时代之变、历史之变正以前所未有的方式展开”；“世界又一次站在历史的十字路口，何去何从取决于各国人民的抉择”。根据这种判断，在这种历史的十字路上，中国何去何从，也面临着抉择；抉择有种种，理论抉择决定道路、方向和战略全局，自然要首先考虑。党的干部只有深化对马克思主义基本原理和党的创新理论的学习研究，立于共产党人精神高地之巅，对科学理论有高度的理性认同，对历史规律有真理性的科学认识，对基本国情有准确无误的把握，对“四个意识”“四个自信”有坚定信仰，归结起来说，只有解决好了立场、观点和方法的问题才能作出正确的抉择。习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想既是正确的世界观、人生观、价值观，也是科学的方法论、认识论，更是强本领、履要职的有力思想武器。各级干部特别是领导干部只有刻苦学习习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想，才能真正提高马克思主义理论素养和解决实际问题的水平，形成与所处领导岗位相匹配的政治眼力、理论功力和工作能力。尽管党中央反复强调学习马克思主义的重要性和迫切性，但在现实生活中，还是有不少干部缺乏学习马克思主义的自觉性和主动性。其具体原因也许各有特殊性，但从思想认识上来说大概有两条：一是某些领导干部缺乏责任意识和担当意识。所想所作所为，只顾眼前，包括经济建设、政治建设、文化建设、社会建设、生态文明建设、党的自身建设、国防和军队建设以及国际战略和外交工作等日常具体工作。无疑，这些方面的工作必须做好，因为这些都是关系党和国家事业发展全局性、战略性、前瞻性的事业。但问题在于，不应在潜意识中把自己从事的具体工作与所担当的党的“四个伟大”（进行伟大斗争、建设伟大工程、推进伟大事业、实现伟大梦想）重任相割裂，不通观远大前途，仅限于做好日常的眼前工作。二是某些领导干部思想仅停留于日常的知识。不明白学习马克思主义对于共产党人来说，是必须履行的一种政治责任、一种精神追求、一种生活方式。之所以会如此，根本问题“在于身为领导者的革命家缺乏自觉性和首创精神”。所以，我们党的领导干部要以高度的革命自觉性，弄通悟透一个道理，“没有革命的理论，就不会有革命的运动”，“只有以先进理论为指南的党，才能实现先进战士的作用”；要明白“迈出最勇敢的前进步伐的是早就成为理论研究对象的那个领域，是主要从理论上、甚至几乎完全从理论上耕耘过的那个领域”。坚决克服轻视理论和理论工作的倾向，高度重视理论的作用，坚决遵循习近平提出的要“坚持学以致用、用以促学，原原本本学，熟读精思、学深悟透，熟练掌握马克思主义立场、观点、方法，不断提高马克思主义理论素养 ”的精神，把马克思主义看家本领学到手。

Source: *World Socialism Studies*, Issue 12, 2024

文章来源：《世界社会主义研究》2024年第12期

Online Editor: Jing Mu

网络编辑：静穆