In the Long River of History, Pursuing the Charm of Theory

The Chinese nation is a nation skilled in theoretical creation; the Chinese people are a people rich in theoretical accomplishment; the CPC is a political party that attaches great importance to theoretical innovation. The path we have traversed has fully proven that why the CPC can succeed and why socialism with Chinese characteristics works is, in the final analysis, because Marxism works, and because Marxism adapted to the Chinese context and the needs of the times works. Scientific socialism is the core part of Marxism and one of the key research objects of the Marxist theoretical discipline. From the founding of scientific socialism by Marx and Engels in the mid-19th century to the present, the theory and practice of scientific socialism have traversed a magnificent course, left a profound imprint on the history of human social development, and will continue to guide the direction of human social evolution. Research on the integrity and specificity of the theoretical cornerstones of scientific socialism is a major theoretical topic that requires in-depth development and is a key to unlocking the door to the charm of scientific socialist theory.

中华民族是善于理论创造的民族，中国人民是富于理论素养的人民，中国共产党是高度重视理论创新的政党。我们走过的路已充分证明，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。科学社会主义是马克思主义的核心部分，是马克思主义理论学科的重点研究对象之一。从19世纪中期马克思恩格斯创立科学社会主义至今，科学社会主义的理论和实践走过了波澜壮阔的历程，在人类社会发展史上留下了深刻的烙印，并将继续指引人类社会演进的方向。科学社会主义理论基石的整体性和针对性研究是需要深入开展的重大理论课题，是打开科学社会主义理论魅力之门的一把钥匙。

*The Historical Development Study of the Two Major Theoretical Cornerstones of Scientific Socialism*, published by the People’s Publishing House, is a monograph by Professor Zhu Dapeng exploring the fundamental issues of scientific socialism. As is well known, in the history of scientific socialism, the two major discoveries of historical materialism and the theory of surplus value are generally referred to as the two major theoretical cornerstones of scientific socialism. Based on an analysis of the relationship between the two major theoretical cornerstones of scientific socialism and the overall development of scientific socialism, this book focuses on the historical lineage, contemporary circumstances, and future trends of scientific socialism. From the perspective of combining theory and practice, it presents the overall appearance and internal mechanism of the historical development of the two major theoretical cornerstones, reflecting a deep understanding of the important assertion that “scientific socialism is full of vitality in 21st-century China.” From the book’s review of the historical development of the two major theoretical cornerstones, it can be seen that scientific socialism is a profound theory, a sincere theory, a broad theory, and a vibrant theory, embodying a theoretical charm that transcends time and space and surpasses national boundaries.

人民出版社出版的《科学社会主义两大理论基石的历史发展研究》是朱大鹏教授探索科学社会主义基本问题的一部专著。众所周知，在科学社会主义史上，一般将唯物史观和剩余价值学说这两大发现称为科学社会主义的两大理论基石。该书立足对科学社会主义两大理论基石与科学社会主义整体发展之间关系的分析，着眼科学社会主义的历史脉络、当代境遇、未来趋势，从理论与实践相结合的角度，呈现了两大理论基石历史发展的整体样貌和内在机理，体现了对“科学社会主义在二十一世纪的中国焕发出强大生机活力”这一重要论断的深入理解。从该书对两大理论基石历史发展的梳理中可以看到，科学社会主义是深邃的理论、真挚的理论、宏阔的理论、鲜活的理论，体现了跨越时空、超越国度的理论魅力。

The profundity of theory lies in its grounding in human history. Engels once said, “Where history begins, the course of thought must also begin.” Only by clarifying the origins and logic of scientific socialist theory can the entire theoretical system be better understood. This book implements the Marxist grand view of history, observing the development of theory from the long process of human historical development. For example, the academic community generally believes that the birth of scientific socialist theory is marked by the publication of the *Communist Manifesto* in February 1848, the establishment of historical materialism is marked by the completion of *Theses on Feuerbach* and *The German Ideology* between 1845 and 1846, and the establishment of the complete system of the theory of surplus value is marked by the publication of Volume I of *Capital* in 1867. How to understand this “paradox” that one “cornerstone” was formed after the birth of the entire theory? This book proposes that at the time of the birth of scientific socialism, Marx and Engels had already formed a relatively complete theory of the working class. It is a concrete conclusion drawn from applying historical materialism to capitalist society, the main form of expression of the theory of surplus value at that time, and also the link between the two major theoretical cornerstones of scientific socialism. For such questions, only by grounding them in human history can scientific answers be obtained.

理论的深邃在于立足人类历史。恩格斯曾说，“历史从哪里开始，思想进程也应当从哪里开始”。只有搞清楚科学社会主义理论的源头与逻辑，才能更好地理解整个理论体系。该书贯彻马克思主义大历史观，从人类历史发展的长过程观察理论的发展。比如，学界普遍认为，科学社会主义理论的诞生以1848年2月《共产党宣言》发表为标志，唯物史观的确立以1845至1846年间完成的《关于费尔巴哈的提纲》和《德意志意识形态》为标志，而剩余价值学说完整体系的确立以1867年《资本论》第一卷的发表为标志。如何理解其中一块“基石”形成于整个理论诞生之后这一“悖论”？该书提出，在科学社会主义诞生之时，马克思恩格斯已经形成了比较完整的工人阶级理论，它是唯物史观应用于资本主义社会得出的具体结论，是剩余价值学说在当时的主要表现形式，也是科学社会主义两大理论基石之间的衔接。对于这一类问题，只有立足人类历史，才可能得到科学的解答。

The sincerity of theory lies in adhering to the moral high ground. From the publication of the *Communist Manifesto* to the present day, no matter how times change or science advances, Marxism, with scientific socialism as its core and conclusion, still occupies the high ground of truth and morality. Truth is an important source of theoretical charm, but the charm of theory has never lain solely in its truth. The humanistic concern, people-centered sentiment, and global vision of scientific socialist theory profoundly embody a sincere and lofty morality. As can be seen from this book, this adherence to the moral high ground is manifested in the value concern of scientific socialism with the ultimate goal of liberating all humanity; in Engels’ profound sympathy for the miserable plight of the working class in *The Condition of the Working Class in England*, written “based on personal observation and reliable materials”; in the elation over providing Chinese wisdom and Chinese solutions to help developing countries escape the dilemma of “maintaining independence” and “accelerating development”; and in the ardent hope that modern technology can create conditions for promoting the free and comprehensive development of individuals.

理论的真挚在于坚守道义制高点。从《共产党宣言》发表到今天，无论时代如何变迁、科学如何进步，以科学社会主义作为核心和结论的马克思主义，依然占据着真理和道义的制高点。真理性是理论魅力的重要来源，但是理论的魅力从来不仅仅在于它的真理性。科学社会主义理论的人文关怀、人民情怀、天下胸怀，深刻体现了真挚而崇高的道义。从该书可以看出，这种对道义制高点的坚守，表现在科学社会主义以解放全人类为最终目的的价值关切中，表现在恩格斯“根据亲身观察和可靠材料”撰写的《英国工人阶级状况》对工人阶级悲惨境遇的极大同情中，表现在为广大发展中国家摆脱“保持独立性”和“加快发展”两难处境提供中国智慧中国方案的欢欣鼓舞中，表现在希望现代科技为推动人的自由全面发展创造条件的热切期盼中。

The breadth of theory lies in focusing on the true issues of the era. Broad and magnificent theories possess a natural charm; however, this by no means implies constructing theories starting from “ideas.” Marx and Engels stated that the true content of all epoch-making systems arises from the needs of the period that produced them. From the broad perspective of five hundred years of world socialism, we are still in the era indicated by Marxism, that is, the era of the great transition from the capitalist world system to the socialist and communist world system. Problems are the voice of the times; answering and guiding the resolution of problems is the fundamental task of theory. Only by clarifying the “true issues” caused by the development of the times during the birth and evolution of scientific socialist theory can we better treat science with a scientific attitude and pursue truth with the spirit of truth; only by clarifying the “true issues” in the development of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the contemporary era can we better understand that “socialism with Chinese characteristics is socialism, not some other ism.” For example, this book introduces various current theoretical controversies regarding the production and distribution of surplus value, reflecting the tension between the “true issues” generated by the times and the “real answers” provided by theory.

理论的宏阔在于聚焦时代真问题。宏远壮阔的理论具有天然的魅力，然而，这绝不意味着从“观念”出发来构造理论。马克思恩格斯说，一切划时代的体系的真正的内容都是由于产生这些体系的那个时期的需要而形成起来的。从世界社会主义五百年的大视野来看，我们依然处在马克思主义所指明的时代，即从资本主义世界体系向社会主义共产主义世界体系大过渡的时代。问题是时代的声音，回答并指导解决问题是理论的根本任务。只有搞清楚科学社会主义理论诞生和演进过程中那些由时代发展所造成的“真问题”，才能更好地以科学的态度对待科学、以真理的精神追求真理；只有搞清楚中国特色社会主义的时代发展中的“真问题”，才能更好地理解“中国特色社会主义是社会主义，不是别的什么主义”。比如，该书介绍了当前关于剩余价值生产及分配的各种理论争议，体现了时代产生“真问题”与理论提供“实答案”之间的张力。

The vibrancy of theory lies in promoting new social practices. Marx said: “The theoretical principles of the Communists are by no means based on ideas or principles invented or discovered by this or that world reformer.” The reason Marxism and scientific socialism are the “true scripture” is precisely that their theoretical charm lies in the fact that they are not dogma but a guide to action; not a rigid and ossified doctrine but an open, developing, and vibrant theory. Marx and Engels established the two major theoretical cornerstones of scientific socialism through theoretical innovation based on practice. Can the stability of the theoretical edifice of scientific socialism then be achieved once and for all? The development of practice proves this is not the case. Scientific socialist theory constantly faces new challenges in the development of the times and practice, and the theoretical cornerstones still face the problem of continuous “reconsolidation.” For example, this book proposes that in the current era, the field of historical materialism faces distortions of the determining role of the economy, denials of the theory of the working class, doubts about the trend of historical development, and challenges to the regularity of social historical development. These issues naturally need to be clarified theoretically, yet they can only be fundamentally resolved through promoting new social practices.

理论的鲜活在于推动社会新实践。马克思说：“共产党人的理论原理，决不是以这个或那个世界改革家所发明或发现的思想、原则为根据的。”马克思主义、科学社会主义之所以是“真经”，其理论魅力正在于它不是教条，而是行动指南；不是凝固僵化的教义，而是开放的发展的鲜活理论。马克思恩格斯以实践基础上的理论创新奠定了科学社会主义的两大理论基石，科学社会主义理论大厦的稳固性是不是就可以一劳永逸了？实践的发展证明不是这样的。科学社会主义理论在时代和实践发展中不断面临新挑战，理论基石还存在不断“再巩固”的问题。比如，该书提出，在当今时代，唯物史观领域面临着对经济决定作用的曲解、对工人阶级理论的否定、对历史发展趋势的质疑、对社会历史发展规律性的挑战。这些问题当然需要在理论上加以澄清，同时，又只有在推动社会新实践中才能得到根本解决。

Throughout the entire book, it is not difficult to see that history has shown and will continue to prove that only by adhering to the basic standpoints, viewpoints, and methods of the two major theoretical cornerstones can scientific socialism continuously achieve periodic leaps. The two major theoretical cornerstones have developed tenaciously in responding to difficulties and challenges. Scientific socialism, represented by socialism with Chinese characteristics, has achieved new accomplishments and opened up broad space for further guiding the times and directing practice. It also provides us with infinite prospects for continuing to pursue the charm of theory between history and the future.

通观全书，不难发现，历史已经显示并将继续证明，只有坚持两大理论基石的基本立场观点方法，科学社会主义才能不断取得阶段性跃迁。两大理论基石在回应困难和挑战中顽强发展，以中国特色社会主义为代表的科学社会主义获得了新的成就，并且开辟了进一步引领时代、指导实践的广阔空间，也为我们继续在历史与未来之间追寻理论的魅力提供了无限憧憬。

(Author: Wang Fuxin, Researcher at the Shandong Provincial Research Center for Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, Vice Dean of the School of Marxism, Ocean University of China)

（作者：王付欣，系山东省习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想研究中心研究员、中国海洋大学马克思主义学院副院长）

Online Editor: Tongxin

网络编辑：同心