Accelerating the Construction of the “Three Systems” of Marxist Theory

General Secretary Xi Jinping clearly pointed out at the Symposium on Work in Philosophy and Social Sciences: “Only by taking China’s actual conditions as the starting point for research, putting forward theoretical viewpoints with subjectivity and originality, and constructing a disciplinary system, academic system, and discourse system with its own characteristics can China’s philosophy and social sciences form their own features and advantages.” The construction of the “Three Systems” has become the historical mission and contemporary task facing Chinese philosophy and social science workers in the New Era. Among the many disciplines of philosophy and social sciences with Chinese characteristics, the discipline of Marxist theory holds a leading position and fully embodies Chinese characteristics, Chinese style, and Chinese manner in terms of the disciplinary system, academic system, and discourse system. Only by accelerating the construction of the “Three Systems” of Marxist theory can the features and advantages of this discipline be fully manifested and its function of providing counsel and educating people be better realized.

习近平总书记在哲学社会科学工作座谈会上明确指出：“只有以我国实际为研究起点，提出具有主体性、原创性的理论观点，构建具有自身特质的学科体系、学术体系、话语体系，我国哲学社会科学才能形成自己的特色和优势。”“三大体系”建设成为新时代中国哲学社会科学工作者面临的历史使命和时代任务。在中国特色哲学社会科学的众多学科中，马克思主义理论学科具有引领地位，并在学科体系、学术体系、话语体系等方面充分体现出中国特色、中国风格、中国气派。加快构建马克思主义理论“三大体系”，才能充分体现这一学科的特色和优势，更好地发挥其咨政育人的功能。

Strengthening the Disciplinary System of Marxist Theory

建强马克思主义理论学科体系

The first-level discipline of Marxist theory, established in 2005, not only provides disciplinary support for ideological and political theory course teaching but also lays an institutional foundation for the construction of the disciplinary system of Marxist theory. The disciplinary system, initially taking shape, consists of the first-level discipline of Marxist theory and six second-level disciplines: Basic Principles of Marxism, History of Marxist Development, Study of the Adaptation of Marxism to the Chinese Context, Study of Marxism Abroad, Study of Basic Issues in Modern Chinese History, and Ideological and Political Education. The disciplinary system is the foundation for the construction of the academic system and discourse system. To further promote the construction of the “Three Systems” of Marxist theory, the disciplinary system of Marxist theory must first be strengthened.

2005年设立的马克思主义理论一级学科，不仅为思政课教学提供了学科支撑，也为马克思主义理论的学科体系建设奠定了制度性基础。马克思主义理论一级学科与马克思主义基本原理、马克思主义发展史、马克思主义中国化研究、国外马克思主义研究、中国近现代史基本问题研究和思想政治教育六个二级学科构成的学科体系初步成型。学科体系是学术体系和话语体系建设的基础，进一步推动构建马克思主义理论学科“三大体系”，首先要建强马克思主义理论学科体系。

Further exerting the leading function of the discipline of Marxist theory. First, strengthen the epistemological leadership of the discipline of Marxist theory, accelerate the construction of an independent knowledge system of Marxist theory, and play its leading role in constructing the independent knowledge systems of various disciplines in Chinese philosophy and social sciences. Second, strengthen the methodological leadership of the discipline of Marxist theory, taking the “Six Musts” [1]1 The “Six Musts” (六个必须坚持) refer to the six key principles of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era: must uphold people-centeredness, must uphold self-confidence and self-reliance, must uphold integrity and innovation, must uphold problem-orientedness, must uphold a systems approach, and must uphold a global vision. in Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as the core to provide methodological guidance for philosophy and social sciences. Third, strengthen the axiological leadership of the discipline of Marxist theory, solidifying the value foundation for Chinese philosophy and social sciences.

进一步发挥马克思主义理论学科的引领性功能。首先是加强马克思主义理论学科的知识论引领，要加快构建马克思主义理论自主知识体系，发挥其在构建中国哲学社会科学各学科自主知识体系中的引领作用；其次是加强马克思主义理论学科的方法论引领，以习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想中的“六个必须坚持”为核心，为哲学社会科学提供方法论遵循；再次是加强马克思主义理论学科的价值论引领，为中国哲学社会科学筑牢价值基础。

Further promoting the coordinated development of the discipline of Marxist theory. First, properly handle the relationship between the “holistic study” of the discipline of Marxist theory and the “sub-field study” of related Marxist disciplines. On the one hand, holism is a hallmark feature of the discipline of Marxist theory, which is the basis for the discipline of Marxist theory to become a “superior discipline” and exert its leading role. On the other hand, conducting classified research on related Marxist disciplines is conducive to deepening disciplinary research, clarifying the internal connections and functions of the various components of Marxism, and thus more conducive to presenting the holistic features of the discipline of Marxist theory and promoting its high-quality development. Second, pay attention to the coordinated development among the second-level disciplines of Marxist theory. The second-level disciplines are both distinct and interconnected, with consistency in research objectives, and they support and promote each other.

进一步推动马克思主义理论学科的协同性发展。首先，要处理好马克思主义理论学科的“整体性研究”与马克思主义相关学科的“分领域研究”之间的关系。一方面，整体性是马克思主义理论学科的标志性特征，这是马克思主义理论学科成为“优势学科”、发挥其引领作用之根据所在。另一方面，对马克思主义相关学科进行分门别类的研究，有利于学科研究向纵深推进，也有利于明晰马克思主义各构成部分的内在联系及其功能，从而也就更有利于呈现马克思主义理论学科的整体性特征，推动学科的高质量发展。其次，要注重马克思主义理论二级学科之间的协同性发展。二级学科既相互区别又相互联系，在研究目标上具有一致性，二级学科之间相互支撑、相互促进。

Further strengthening the supporting role of the discipline of Marxist theory. Supporting the construction of ideological and political theory courses is a unique attribute of the discipline of Marxist theory. To strengthen the supporting role of the discipline of Marxist theory for ideological and political theory courses, first, further refine the direction of disciplinary construction to provide support for improving the curriculum system of ideological and political theory courses. Second, further promote the integration of the latest achievements of the Party’s innovative theory into textbooks, classrooms, and minds to provide support for enhancing the effectiveness of ideological and political theory course education and teaching. Finally, further consolidate the disciplinary construction team to provide support for strengthening the teaching capacity of ideological and political theory courses.

进一步加强马克思主义理论学科的支撑性作用。支撑思政课建设是马克思主义理论学科的特有属性。加强马克思主义理论学科对思政课的支撑性作用，首先要进一步凝练学科建设方向，为完善思想政治理论课课程体系提供支撑；其次，要进一步推动党的创新理论最新成果进教材进课堂进头脑，为提高思政课教育教学实效提供支撑；最后，要进一步凝聚学科建设队伍，为增强思想政治理论课教育教学能力提供支撑。

Perfecting the Academic System of Marxist Theory

完善马克思主义理论学术体系

The academic system is the intermediate link in the construction of the “Three Systems.” The academic system of Marxist theory encompasses the discipline’s unique conceptual categories, research methods, argumentation logic, and evaluation standards. The disciplinary system stipulates and guides the direction of academic system construction, providing institutional support and a practical framework for the construction of the academic system, while the construction of the academic system endows the development of the disciplinary system with scholarly connotation and core value. Perfecting the academic system of Marxist theory requires further strengthening the basic theoretical research, subjective consciousness, and problem orientation of the academic system.

学术体系是“三大体系”建设的中间环节，马克思主义理论学术体系涵盖了学科特有的概念范畴、研究方法、论证逻辑与评价标准。学科体系规定并引导着学术体系建设的方向，为学术体系建构提供了制度依托与实践框架，而学术体系的建构则为学科体系的发展赋予学理内涵与核心价值。完善马克思主义理论学术体系，要进一步加强学术体系的基础理论研究、主体性自觉和问题导向。

Strengthening basic theoretical research for the construction of the academic system. The basic theory of Marxism is the theoretical foundation of the academic system of Marxist theory and the living source for adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times. To strengthen research on the basic theory of Marxism, first, continue to consolidate the textual foundation, promote the collection and collation of manuscripts of classical Marxist writers, and use the latest technological means to strengthen the digitization and database platform construction of manuscripts and archival documents of classical Marxist writers. Second, continue to strengthen the work of compiling and translating literature, persistently promoting the editing and translation of classical Marxist works and high-quality, high-grade foreign philosophy and social science research results. Third, relying on classic literature compilation and preservation projects such as the *Complete Works of Marx and Engels*, deeply elucidate the original connotations and contemporary logic of basic principles such as historical materialism and the theory of surplus value, revealing the continuity between the Party’s innovative theory and the “true spirit” and “true method” of the basic principles of Marxism. Fourth, further strengthen the systematic construction of core concepts and basic categories of Marxist theory, thereby providing solid conceptual support for perfecting the academic system of Marxist theory.

加强学术体系建构的基础理论研究。马克思主义基础理论是马克思主义理论学术体系的理论根基，也是马克思主义中国化时代化的源头活水。加强马克思主义基础理论研究，一是要继续夯实文本基础，推动马克思主义经典作家手稿的收集整理，利用最新科技手段加强马克思主义经典作家手稿和档案文献数字化、数据库平台建设。二是继续加强文献编译工作，持续推动马克思主义经典著作和国外高质量、高品质哲学社会科学研究成果的编辑和翻译。三是依托《马克思恩格斯全集》等经典文献编译与典藏工程，深入阐释唯物史观、剩余价值学说等基本原理的原初内涵与时代逻辑，揭示党的创新理论与马克思主义基本原理“真精神”“真方法”之间的一脉相承性。四是进一步强化马克思主义理论核心概念与基本范畴的体系化建构，从而为完善马克思主义理论学术体系提供坚实概念支撑。

Strengthening the subjective consciousness in the construction of the academic system. Although the construction of China’s Marxist theory academic system originated from the introduction of the Soviet textbook system, further perfecting the academic system of Marxist theory must further construct an independent academic system. To advance this process, first, must follow the methodological principle of the Two Integrations, firmly adhering to the “soul vein” [2]2 “Soul vein” (魂脉) refers to Marxism as the guiding ideological foundation of the Communist Party of China. of Marxism and the “root vein” [3]3 “Root vein” (根脉) refers to fine traditional Chinese culture as the deep cultural foundation of the Chinese nation. of fine traditional Chinese culture. Second, must use the Party’s innovative theory to lead knowledge innovation, theoretical innovation, and methodological innovation. Finally, must use major iconic concepts, original ideological viewpoints, and principled theoretical achievements as important supports for the construction of the academic system of Marxist theory.

加强学术体系构建的主体性自觉。 中国马克思主义理论学术体系建设，虽发轫于苏联教科书体系的引进，然而进一步完善马克思主义理论学术体系必须进一步构建自主学术体系。推进这一过程，首先，必须遵循“两个结合”的方法论原则，牢牢坚守马克思主义“魂脉” 与中华优秀传统文化“根脉”；其次，必须以党的创新理论引领知识创新、理论创新、方法创新；最后，必须以标识性重大概念、原创性思想观点和原理性理论成果作为马克思主义理论学术体系建设的重要支撑。

Strengthening the problem orientation in the construction of the academic system. To perfect the academic system of Marxist theory, must use problems as a lever to push academic research to greater depth, ensuring the academic system’s timely response to the issues of the times. Currently, changes unseen in a century are accelerating across the world, and contemporary China is undergoing the most extensive and profound social transformation in its history, as well as the most grand and unique practical innovation in human history. Research on Marxist theory must be based on the great practice of socialism with Chinese characteristics for a New Era, focus on the major theoretical and practical issues of Chinese-path modernization, strengthen the reality orientation of theoretical research, actively respond to the new propositions, new challenges, and new requirements raised by the New Era, deeply explore the theoretical logic, historical logic, and practical logic behind practice, and refine and elevate them into systematic and scholarly theoretical achievements.

加强学术体系构建的问题导向。完善马克思主义理论学术体系，必须以问题为牵引推动学术研究向纵深发展，确保学术体系对时代课题的及时回应。当前，世界百年未有之大变局加速演进，当代中国正经历着我国历史上最为广泛而深刻的社会变革，也正在进行着人类历史上最为宏大而独特的实践创新。马克思主义理论研究必须立足新时代中国特色社会主义伟大实践，聚焦中国式现代化的重大理论与实践问题，强化理论研究的现实导向，主动回应新时代提出的新命题、新挑战、新要求，深挖实践背后的理论逻辑、历史逻辑与现实逻辑，将其提炼升华为体系化学理化的理论成果。

Innovating the Discourse System of Marxist Theory

创新马克思主义理论话语体系

Discourse is the carrier of thought; thought is the core of discourse. Engels pointed out: “Every new viewpoint put forward by a science contains a revolution in the terminology of that science.” [4]4 This quotation is from Engels’s preface to the English edition of *Capital*, Volume I, where he discusses the necessity of new terminology for new scientific insights. This indicates that further promoting the construction of the disciplinary system and academic system of Marxist theory is inseparable from the innovation of the Marxist discourse system. Discourse is an expression system composed of a series of concepts, categories, and propositions. Compared with other disciplines, the discipline of Marxist theory has a more distinct political nature; its concepts, categories, and propositions are more sensitive and have greater social impact, so the task of constructing its discourse system is greater and the responsibility heavier. To advance the construction of the Marxist theory discourse system, it is necessary to further strengthen its scholarly interpretation, popular expression, and international dissemination.

话语是思想的载体，思想是话语的内核。恩格斯指出：“一门科学提出的每一种新见解都包含这门科学的术语的革命。”这表明，进一步推动构建马克思主义理论学科体系和学术体系，离不开马克思主义话语体系的创新。话语是由一系列概念、范畴、命题所组成的表达系统。与其他学科相比，马克思主义理论学科具有更为鲜明的政治性，其概念、范畴、命题的敏感性更强、社会影响更大，所以其话语体系建设的任务更大、责任更重。推进马克思主义理论话语体系建设，需要进一步加强其学理化阐释、大众化表达与国际化传播。

Strengthening the theoretical and academic elaboration of Marxist theoretical discourse. As the guiding ideology, Marxism’s discourse is first and foremost embodied in its distinct political character. A series of political discourses constructed in the process of adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times have played an extremely important role in enhancing the Party’s political leadership, ideological appeal, and social organizational capacity. General Secretary Xi Jinping points out that “behind discourse lies thought, lies the ‘Way’.” [5]5 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the Symposium on Philosophy and Social Science Work” (May 17, 2016). The term “Way” (道, dao) here carries the classical Chinese philosophical sense of a fundamental principle or path. Studying and elaborating the systematic and academic nature behind Marxist political discourse, and thereby forming iconic concepts with disciplinary characteristics, is an inevitable requirement for further constructing the system of Marxist theoretical discourse. Behind “discourse innovation” lies the formation of great thought. The new discourse of Marxist theory carries new ideas and new insights of Marxist theory. For example, discourses such as “original aspiration and founding mission,” “the Two Integrations,” and “new quality productive forces” carry the creative insights of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. Therefore, condensing the systematic and academic content behind them plays a crucial role in further perfecting the Marxist discourse system.

加强马克思主义理论话语的学理化阐释。马克思主义作为指导思想，其话语首先体现为鲜明的政治品格，在马克思主义中国化时代化中构建起的一系列政治话语，在提升党的政治引领力、思想吸引力和社会组织力等方面发挥了极为重要的作用。习近平总书记指出，“话语的背后是思想、是‘道’”，研究阐释马克思主义政治话语背后的体系性和学理性，进而形成富有学科特色的标识性概念，是进一步构建马克思主义理论话语体系的必然要求。“话语革新”的背后是伟大思想的形成，马克思主义理论的新话语，其背后承载的是马克思主义理论的新思想和新见解。比如“初心使命”“两个结合”“新质生产力”等话语背后承载的是习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想的创造性洞见，因此凝练其背后的体系化学理化内容对于进一步完善马克思主义话语体系有着至关重要的作用。

Promoting the popularized expression of Marxist theoretical discourse. Classic Marxist theory possesses a high degree of scientificity, academic rigor, and abstraction, which reflects its theoretical depth, but it can also easily create obstacles for ordinary people’s understanding. As an ideological weapon guiding the people in transforming the world, the construction of the discourse system of Marxist theory must inevitably take popularization as an important goal. As General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized: “Adhering to the guidance of Marxism, the core issue is to solve the problem of for whom. The question of for whom is the fundamental and principled issue of philosophical and social science research.” [6]6 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the Symposium on Philosophy and Social Science Work” (May 17, 2016). Therefore, to enable the masses to master Marxism, it is necessary to use plain and easy-to-understand discourse to explain and disseminate Marxism to the masses. The popularization of discourse expression by no means weakens the scientificity and academic rigor of the theory, but rather builds a bridge between scientific theory and popular cognition. Ultimately, it means using Chinese discourse that the people are happy to hear and see to tell China’s stories, summarize China’s experience, form Chinese theory, and solve China’s problems, thereby transforming the great achievements of China’s development into discursive advantages.

推动马克思主义理论话语的大众化表达。马克思主义经典理论具有高度的科学性、学理性与抽象性，这是其理论深度的体现，但也容易造成普通群众理解上的障碍。作为指导人民改造世界的思想武器，马克思主义理论的话语体系建设必然要以大众化作为重要目标。正如习近平总书记所强调的：“坚持以马克思主义为指导，核心要解决好为什么人的问题。为什么人的问题是哲学社会科学研究的根本性、原则性问题。”因此，要使人民群众掌握马克思主义，必须运用通俗易懂的话语向人民群众解释和传播马克思主义。话语表达的大众化绝非弱化理论的科学性和学理性，而是要搭建起科学理论与大众认知之间的桥梁。归根到底，就是用人民群众喜闻乐见的中国话语来讲述中国故事、总结中国经验、形成中国理论、解决中国问题，从而将中国发展的巨大成就转化为话语优势。

Strengthening the international dissemination of Marxist theoretical discourse. To enhance China’s international discursive power, it is necessary to strengthen the international communication capacity of Marxist theoretical discourse. By constructing a localized vocabulary system, the cultural subjectivity of the discourse system should be strengthened. It is necessary to absorb the outstanding achievements of human civilization with a global perspective, innovate discourse forms, and through deep participation in international academic dialogue and competition, transform China’s practical experience into theoretical discourse that the international community understands and identifies with, thereby effectively enhancing the international communication power of Marxist theory.

加强马克思主义理论话语的国际化传播。增强中国的国际话语权，必须加强马克思主义理论话语的国际传播能力。通过建构本土化语汇体系，强化话语体系的文化主体性。要以全球视野吸纳人类文明优秀成果，创新话语形式，通过深度参与国际学术对话与竞争，将中国实践经验转化为国际社会理解认同的理论话语，切实提升马克思主义理论的国际传播力。

(The author is a lecturer at the School of Marxism Studies, Renmin University of China)

（作者系中国人民大学马克思主义学院讲师）