A Historical Materialist Interpretation of “Standing on the Right Side of History”

General Secretary Xi Jinping has on many occasions at different venues raised the proposition of “standing on the right side of history.” This important thesis requires us to think about and grasp a series of major issues facing China’s development with a broader vision and a longer-term perspective, and it possesses extremely significant theoretical significance and practical value. Historical materialism is the fundamental method by which Chinese Communists understand and grasp history, and it also constitutes the fundamental theoretical framework for an in-depth interpretation of “standing on the right side of history.”

习近平总书记多次在不同场合提出“站在历史正确的一边”。这一重要论断，要求我们以更宽广的视野、更长远的眼光思考和把握我国发展面临的一系列重大问题，具有极其重要的理论意义和实践价值。唯物史观是中国共产党人认识历史、把握历史的根本方法，也构成深入阐释“站在历史正确的一边”的根本理论座架。

The Context in Which “Standing on the Right Side of History” Emerges

“站在历史正确的一边”的出场语境

Human society since modern times has unfolded as a world history progressing from respective closure to universal intercourse. Marx and Engels pointed out: “The more the original isolation of separate nationalities is destroyed by the developed mode of production and intercourse and the division of labor between various nations naturally brought forth by these, the more history becomes world history.” [1]1 “Not fear evil, not fear ghosts, not fear pressure” (不信邪、不怕鬼、不怕压): A standard CPC expression, originating from Mao Zedong, used to encourage defiance of external threats and ideological intimidation. Today, the worldwide and universal character of human intercourse is deeper and broader than at any time in the past; the mutual connections and interdependence among countries are more frequent and closer than ever before; the historical tide of peace, development, cooperation, and mutual benefit is unstoppable. At the same time, the world economy is struggling to recover, the trend of de-globalization is rising, unilateralism and protectionism have increased markedly, hegemonic, bullying, and predatory acts such as the strong bullying the weak, plundering by force, and zero-sum games are causing grave harm, and deficits in peace, development, security, and governance are worsening. Human society faces unprecedented challenges. Changes unseen in a century in the world are accelerating, and humanity once again stands at a “crossroads of history.” Where is the world heading? Peace or war? Development or recession? Openness or closure? Cooperation or confrontation? Standing at the “crossroads of history,” how can humanity make the correct choice? This is the context in which “standing on the right side of history” emerges.

近代以来的人类社会，展现为一部从各自封闭逐步走向普遍交往的世界历史。马克思恩格斯指出：“各民族的原始封闭状态由于日益完善的生产方式、交往以及因交往而自然形成的不同民族之间的分工消灭得越是彻底，历史也就越是成为世界历史。”今天，人类交往的世界性、普遍性比过去任何时候都更深入、更广泛，各国相互联系和彼此依存比过去任何时候都更频繁、更紧密，和平、发展、合作、共赢的历史潮流不可阻挡。与此同时，世界经济复苏乏力，逆全球化思潮抬头，单边主义、保护主义明显上升，恃强凌弱、巧取豪夺、零和博弈等霸权霸道霸凌行径危害深重，和平赤字、发展赤字、安全赤字、治理赤字加重，人类社会面临前所未有的挑战。世界百年未有之大变局加速演进，人类又一次站在了“历史的十字路口”。世界向何处去？和平还是战争？发展还是衰退？开放还是封闭？合作还是对抗？站在“历史的十字路口”，人类如何做出正确的选择？这是“站在历史正确的一边”的出场语境。

The development of human history has never been smooth or linear; rather, it is a complex process of spiral ascent and the negation of the negation, a unity of progress and twists and turns. The historical process “advances in leaps and zigzags,” [2] encompassing both great strides forward and curved detours or even temporary reversals; the “entire development” of the age of civilization “proceeds in constant contradiction.” [3] As General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out: “The development of world history tells us that the progress of human civilization has never been a broad and level road; humanity advances precisely through struggle against difficulties.” From the perspective of historical materialism, human society is a historical process of continuous development from lower to higher stages, but this does not deny the existence of “detours” or even “reversals” in the historical process; specific historical stages may see “headwinds” and “backward waves.” Therefore, history as it actually unfolds has a right side and also a wrong side. Why does the historical process have a right side and a wrong side? Why is there a distinction between right and wrong? The reasons here are extremely complex, because the development of human history is the resultant force of the “interaction” of various social factors. Nevertheless, we can analyze its causes from the perspective of the historical subject, so as to avoid as far as possible standing on the wrong side of history. Human beings are both the “actors” and the “playwrights” of history; the whole so-called world history is nothing but the process of humanity’s creation through human labor. [4]

人类历史的发展从来不是一帆风顺、直线上升的，而是一个螺旋式上升、否定之否定的复杂过程，是前进性和曲折性的统一。历史进程“是跳跃式地和曲折地前进的”，既有大踏步的前进，也有曲线的迂回甚至一时的倒退，文明时代的“全部发展都是在经常的矛盾中进行的”。正如习近平总书记指出的：“世界历史发展告诉我们，人类文明进步历程从来没有平坦的大道可走，人类就是在同困难的斗争中前进的。”在唯物史观视域下，人类社会是一个由低级到高级不断发展的历史过程，但这并不否认历史发展过程中的“迂回”甚至“倒退”，特定历史阶段可能出现“逆风”和“回头浪”。因此，现实展开的历史有正确的一边，也有错误的一边。历史进程为什么有正确的一边与错误的一边？有对与错之分？这里有极其复杂的原因，因为人类历史发展是各种社会因素“交互作用”的合力结果。但是，我们可以从历史主体角度探析其原因，尽可能避免站在历史错误的一边。人既是历史的“剧中人”，也是历史的“剧作者”，整个所谓世界历史不过是人通过人的劳动而诞生的过程。

In *The Holy Family*, Marx and Engels pointed out: “History does nothing; it ‘possesses no immense wealth,’ it ‘wages no battles’! It is rather man, real, living man who does all that, who possesses and fights.” [5] History is not external to human beings; it is the product of human activity. Human beings are “real, living” individuals; in the creation of history, constrained by various subjective and objective factors, they inevitably sometimes do the right thing and sometimes do the wrong thing. The historical subject influences the direction of historical development. At the “crossroads of history,” the historical subject needs to make the correct choice. This is the decisive ideological window that historical materialism opens for the important thesis of “standing on the right side of history.”

在《神圣家族》中，马克思恩格斯指出：“历史什么事情也没有做，它‘不拥有任何惊人的丰富性’，它‘没有进行任何战斗’！其实，正是人，现实的、活生生的人在创造这一切，拥有这一切并且进行战斗。”历史不是外在于人的，而是人的活动的产物。人是“现实的、活生生的”，在历史创造中，由于受到各种主客观因素的制约，必然有时做正确的事，有时做错误的事。历史主体影响着历史发展的方向。在“历史的十字路口”，历史主体需要做出正确的选择。这是唯物史观给“站在历史正确的一边”重要论断打开的决定性的思想窗口。

The Profound Philosophy of “Standing on the Right Side of History”

“站在历史正确的一边”的深刻哲理

On different occasions, what General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasizes by “standing on the right side of history” differs

在不同场合，习近平总书记强调的“站在历史正确的一边”所指是不同的，有时指顺应经济全球化大势，站在开放发展的一边，有时指坚持真正的多边主义，站在互利共赢的一边，等等。尽管在不同场合和领域有不同的内涵，但是，从唯物史观视域观之，“站在历史正确的一边”的根本逻辑主要体现在三个方面：

First, “standing on the right side of history” means grasping and applying the laws of history, and advancing in the logic of historical progress. When a historical subject “stands” on the right side of history, this refers first and foremost to the subject recognizing the laws of historical development, and consciously aligning their thoughts, decisions, and actions with the requirements of objective laws—that is, acting in accordance with objective laws. Humanity can understand, conform to, and apply the laws of history, but cannot prevent them from taking effect. Standing on the right side of history means mastering and following the laws of history. The historical process is governed by inherent general laws. Historical materialism is the doctrine that reveals the laws of development of human society and history. Standing on the right side of history means taking up the telescope of historical materialism to carefully observe the international situation, grasp the logic of historical progress, and make correct choices that conform to the laws of history. In the face of a world economy that is sometimes turbulent and fluctuating, unilateralism and protectionism are not viable; only cooperation for mutual benefit and win-win outcomes is the correct choice. This is not only dictated by economic laws but also conforms to the historical logic of the development of human society.

第一，“站在历史正确的一边”就是要把握和运用历史规律，在历史前进的逻辑中前进。历史主体“站在”历史正确的一边，首先指的是，历史主体认识到历史发展规律，使自己的思想、决策、行动等自觉地遵循和符合客观规律要求，即按照客观规律办事。人类可以认识、顺应、运用历史规律，但无法阻止历史规律发生作用。站在历史正确的一边，就是掌握、遵循历史规律。历史进程是受内在的一般规律支配的。唯物史观是揭示人类社会历史发展规律的学说。站在历史正确的一边，就是要端起唯物史观这一望远镜细心观察国际形势、把握历史前进的逻辑，做出符合历史规律的正确选择。面对时有波折起伏的世界经济，单边主义、保护主义不可取，携手合作、互利共赢才是唯一正确的选择。这既是经济规律使然，也符合人类社会发展的历史逻辑。

Second, “standing on the right side of history” means discerning the general historical trend and the current of the times, and developing in the direction of the development of the times. The laws of history reflect the general trend of human historical development; the general historical trend and the current of the times are the forms in which this general trend manifests itself at specific historical stages. General Secretary Xi Jinping points out: “As early as over 170 years ago, Marx and Engels scientifically revealed the historical law that socialism will inevitably replace capitalism. This is an irreversible general trend in the development of human society, but it requires a very long historical process. In this process, we must base ourselves on reality, grasp the general historical trend of each stage, and do the work of the present well.” Standing on the right side of history means recognizing the general trend of world history, keeping up with the current of the times, and seizing the momentum to advance and follow the trend. How can this be achieved? First, by understanding the future through history. History is the best textbook. To observe the general trend, one must connect the past, present, and future; only by summing up historical experience and drawing on historical wisdom can one grasp the general direction of historical progress. Second, by grasping the essence through phenomena. To observe the general trend, one must grasp the essence from among complex and chaotic phenomena, grasp the overall situation amid international disorder, and recognize long-term trends amid temporary upheavals. Third, by seizing the principal contradiction and the principal aspect of the contradiction. Historical development is the result of the interaction of various contradictions and their many aspects. To observe the general trend, one must identify the principal contradiction from among the various contradictions of the contemporary world and the international situation, and identify the principal aspect of the contradiction from among its many aspects; only then can one grasp the current of the times without losing one’s bearings. Fourth, by seeking certainty amid uncertainty. At present, the world faces prominent instability and uncertainty, with challenges emerging one after another and risks increasing daily. To observe the general trend, one must seek the unchanging amid change and certainty amid uncertainty, especially by seeking the “certainty” under the changes unseen in a century from the themes of the times such as multipolarity, economic globalization, peace, and development.

第二，“站在历史正确的一边”就是要洞察历史大势和时代潮流，在时代发展的潮流中发展。历史规律反映的是人类历史发展的总趋势，历史大势和时代潮流是总趋势在特定历史阶段的表现形式。习近平总书记指出：“马克思、恩格斯早在一百七十多年前就科学揭示了社会主义必然代替资本主义的历史规律。这是人类社会发展不可逆转的总趋势，但需要经历一个很长的历史过程。在这个过程中，我们要立足现实，把握好每个阶段的历史大势，做好当下的事情。”站在历史正确的一边，就是要认识世界历史大势，跟上时代潮流，乘势而上、顺势而为。如何才能做到？一是通过历史看未来。历史是最好的教科书。观大势，要将过去、现在、未来贯通起来，只有总结历史经验、汲取历史智慧，方能把握历史前进大势。二是透过现象看本质。观大势，要从纷繁复杂的现象中把握本质，在国际乱象中把握大局，在阶段性的风云变幻中认清长远趋势。三是抓住主要矛盾和矛盾的主要方面。历史发展是各种矛盾以及矛盾诸多方面相互作用的结果。观大势，要从当今世界、国际形势的各种矛盾中找出主要矛盾、从矛盾诸多方面中找出矛盾的主要方面，如此才能把握时代潮流，不迷失方向。四是从不确定性中寻找确定性。当前，世界面临的不稳定性不确定性突出，挑战层出不穷、风险日益增多。观大势，要从变化中寻找不变、从不确定性中寻找确定性，特别要从世界多极化、经济全球化、和平与发展的时代主题等方面寻找大变局下的“确定性”。

Third, “standing on the right side of history” means standing on the side of human progress, advancing in the cause of human civilizational progress. Historical correctness is the unity of conformity to law and conformity to purpose, of objective yardstick and subjective yardstick. The fundamental objective yardstick of historical correctness is the development of the productive forces; the subjective yardstick is the free and comprehensive development of the human person. Standing on the right side of history means standing on the side of promoting human development and advancing human progress. First, standing on the side of safeguarding the interests of the overwhelming majority of people. From the perspective of conformity to purpose, the right side of history is the side that represents the fundamental interests of the overwhelming majority of people. To do what is historically correct, one must resolutely oppose all forms of egoism, including national egoism, take into account the interests of other countries while pursuing one’s own interests, take into account the development of other countries while seeking one’s own development, strive to expand the points of convergence of the common interests of all parties, and enhance the common interests of mankind. Second, standing on the side of upholding historical justice and international morality. Standing on the right side of history means always paying attention to the future and destiny of mankind, upholding fairness and justice, holding high the banner of peace, development, cooperation, and mutual benefit, and resolutely drawing a clear line of demarcation from the wrong side of history, such as zero-sum games, hegemonism, and power politics. Marx pointed out: “The obsolete always seeks to restore and consolidate itself in new forms.” Today, we must be even more vigilant against “obsolete things” such as hegemonism and not be deceived by them. Third, standing on the side of promoting the common values of all mankind. The direction of human civilizational progress is to promote and practice the common values of all mankind: peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy, and freedom. Standing on the right side of history means, with a highly responsible attitude toward the future and destiny of mankind, acting as an advocate of the common values of all mankind, jointly building a better world, and shouldering the historical mission of seeking progress for mankind.

第三，“站在历史正确的一边”就是要站在人类进步的一边，在人类文明进步的事业中进步。历史正确性是合规律性与合目的性、客观尺度与主体尺度的统一。历史正确性的根本客观尺度是生产力的发展，主体尺度是人的自由全面发展。站在历史正确的一边，就是要站在促进人的发展、推进人类进步的一边。其一，站在维护绝大多数人利益的一边。从合目的性看，历史正确的一边就是代表绝大多数人根本利益的一边。做历史正确的事，就要坚决反对包括国家利己主义在内的各种利己主义，在追求本国利益的同时兼顾别国利益，在寻求自身发展的同时兼顾别国发展，努力扩大各方共同利益的汇合点，增进人类共同利益。其二，站在坚守历史正义、国际道义的一边。站在历史正确的一边，就是始终关注人类前途命运，坚持主持公道、伸张正义，高举和平、发展、合作、共赢旗帜，坚决与零和博弈、霸权主义和强权政治等历史错误的一边划清界限。马克思指出：“过时的东西总是力图在新生的形式中得到恢复和巩固。”今天，我们要更加警惕霸权主义等“过时的东西”，不能受其迷惑。其三，站在弘扬全人类共同价值的一边。人类文明进步的方向是弘扬践行和平、发展、公平、正义、民主、自由的全人类共同价值。站在历史正确的一边，就是要本着对人类前途命运高度负责的态度，做全人类共同价值的倡导者，携手建设一个更加美好的世界，担负起为人类谋进步的历史使命。

Practical Requirements for “Standing on the Right Side of History”

“站在历史正确的一边”的实践要求

Historical materialism is the intrinsic unity of historical determinism and the theory of subjective choice. It recognizes both that the development of human society has objective laws independent of human will, and that historical subjects possess subjective initiative and practical creativity. Under the premise of respecting historical laws, historical subjects can and should exert their subjective initiative to promote historical development and human progress.

唯物史观是历史决定论和主体选择论的内在统一，既承认人类社会发展具有不以人的意志为转移的客观规律性，又承认历史主体的主观能动性、实践创造力。历史主体在尊重历史规律的前提下，可以也应该发挥主观能动性，推动历史发展和人类进步。

History is nothing but the activity of people pursuing their own purposes. Historical development has its laws, but people are not completely passive within it. As long as one grasps the general trend of historical development, seizes the moment of historical change, works hard and vigorously advances, human society can move forward better. “Standing on the right side of history” inherently requires historical subjects to exert a spirit of historical initiative and push the wheel of history forward toward a bright goal.

历史不过是追求着自己目的的人的活动而已。历史发展有其规律，但人在其中不是完全消极被动的。只要把握住历史发展大势，抓住历史变革时机，奋发有为，锐意进取，人类社会就能更好前进。“站在历史正确的一边”内在要求着历史主体发挥历史主动精神，推动历史车轮向着光明的目标前进。

First, “discern the general trend.” Enhance the ability to grasp the general trend, possess historical vision and a global perspective, plan the cause of the Party and the state and the cause of human progress within the long river of history and a global perspective, plan according to the situation, respond to the situation, follow the trend, and better promote the development of the cause.

首先，“察大势”。提高把握大势的能力，具备历史眼光和全球视野，把党和国家事业、人类进步事业放到历史长河和全球视野中谋划，因势而谋、应势而动、顺势而为，更好推动事业发展。

Second, “respond to changing situations.” Accurately recognize changes, accurately judge major changes in the historical stage, and make correct choices; respond scientifically to changes, face various risks and challenges, carry forward the spirit of historical responsibility of advancing courageously, fully display the spirit of struggle, not fear evil, not fear ghosts, not fear pressure, advance in the face of difficulties, and meet challenges head-on; actively seek change, be adept at identifying inevitable trends from contingent historical events, and seize fleeting historical opportunities through proactive strategic adjustments.

其次，“应变局”。准确识变，准确判断历史阶段的重大变化，并做出正确选择；科学应变，面对各种风险挑战，发扬勇毅前行的历史担当精神，充分发挥斗争精神，不信邪、不怕鬼、不怕压，知难而进、迎难而上；主动求变，善于从偶然性历史事件中识别出必然性趋势，从积极主动的战略调整中把握住稍纵即逝的历史机遇。

Finally, “transform crises.” All pairs of opposites transform into each other under certain conditions. Under certain conditions, “danger” and “safety,” “crisis” and “opportunity,” can all transform into each other. At present, the world situation is turbulent and complex, geopolitical challenges are high and waves are rough, hidden reefs and undercurrents are increasing. With greater determination and courage, we must take the initiative, create opportunities, and fight a strategic proactive battle to turn danger into safety and crisis into opportunity.

最后，“化危机”。一切矛盾着的双方无不在一定条件下向它的对方转化。在一定条件下，“险”与“夷”、“危”与“机”，都是可以相互转化的。当前，世界形势动荡复杂，地缘政治挑战风高浪急，暗礁和潜流增多，要以更大决心和勇气，主动出击、创造机遇，打好化险为夷、转危为机的战略主动战。

History always shows its forward-moving force. What we can choose is to stand on the right side of history, on the side of human progress!

历史总是要显示出其前进的力量的。我们能选择的，就是站在历史正确的一边，站在人类进步的一边！

(Author: Tang Aijun, Researcher at the Research Center for Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, Central Party School [National Academy of Governance], and Professor at the School of Marxism)

（作者：唐爱军，系中央党校〔国家行政学院〕习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想研究中心研究员、马克思主义学院教授）

Online Editor: Tongxin

网络编辑：同心