Using Scholarship to Discuss Politics Is the Key to Teaching Ideological and Political Courses Well

Ideological and political courses are the key courses for implementing the fundamental task of fostering virtue and nurturing people, and they serve as the main channel for forging souls and educating people. The essence of ideological and political courses is to explain principles; using scholarship to discuss politics is the key to teaching these courses well. Using scholarship to discuss politics means providing a scholarly elucidation of major historical and contemporary political issues from the perspective of the Marxist worldview and methodology, clarifying the reasoning, scholarship, philosophy, and principles behind politics, and continuously enhancing the scientific, scholarly, and truth-based nature of ideological and political courses. To implement the fundamental task of fostering virtue and nurturing people, it is necessary to use theoretical clarity to promote and consolidate the political steadfastness of the new-era talents. By using scholarship to discuss politics and thoroughly explaining the scholarly nature of politics, teachers of ideological and political courses help students solidify their ideals and beliefs, deepen their political identification, enhance their political confidence, and always adhere to a firm and correct political direction.

思政课是落实立德树人根本任务的关键课程，是铸魂育人的主渠道。思政课的本质是讲道理，用学术讲政治是讲好思政课的关键。用学术讲政治，就是从马克思主义世界观和方法论的视角对历史和现实的重大政治问题作出学理阐释，讲清政治背后的道理、学理、哲理、原理，不断增强思政课的科学性、学理性和真理性。落实立德树人根本任务，需用理论上的清醒促进和巩固时代新人政治上的坚定。思政课教师通过用学术讲政治，讲透政治的学理性，有助于学生筑牢理想信念，深化政治认同，增强政治自信，始终坚持坚定正确的政治方向。

I. Political Steadfastness Originates from Theoretical Clarity

一、政治上的坚定来源于理论上的清醒

Xi Jinping pointed out: “Political steadfastness originates from theoretical clarity.” [1]1 The “Four Consciousnesses” refers to the consciousness of the need to maintain political integrity, think in big-picture terms, follow the leadership core, and keep in alignment with the central Party leadership.(P67) Political steadfastness is always inseparable from theoretical clarity and consciousness. To teach ideological and political courses well, one must use scholarship to discuss politics, employing the Marxist worldview and methodology to clarify the reasoning, scholarship, philosophy, and principles of major political issues such as political beliefs, political direction, and political stance. This helps students solidify their scientific belief in Marxism, master the ideological weapon of Marxism, enhance their ability to judge political right and wrong, establish a firm and correct political direction, form strong political resolve, unwaveringly follow the Party, and become politically clear-headed and steadfast socialist builders and successors.

习近平指出：“政治上的坚定源于理论上的清醒。”[1](P67)政治上的坚定始终离不开理论上的清醒与自觉。讲好思政课就要用学术讲政治，运用马克思主义世界观和方法论阐明政治信念、政治方向、政治立场等重大政治问题的道理、学理、哲理、原理，帮助学生坚定马克思主义的科学信仰，掌握马克思主义的思想武器，提高政治是非的判断能力，确立坚定正确的政治方向，形成强大的政治定力，坚定不移跟党走，做政治上清醒而坚定的社会主义建设者和接班人。

1. Political Steadfastness Lies in Having a Firm and Correct Political Direction

1. 政治坚定在于具有坚定正确的政治方向

Political steadfastness lies in having a firm and correct political direction, and a firm and correct political direction lies in having a firm belief in Marxism and a profound theoretical grounding in Marxism. Using scholarship to discuss politics in ideological and political courses means employing the Marxist worldview and methodology to clarify the reasoning, scholarship, philosophy, and principles contained in major political issues, using the power of truth to respond to students’ ideological demands, guiding students to establish a firm belief in Marxism, and consciously judging, grasping, and adhering to correct political beliefs, direction, stance, and attitude.

政治坚定在于具有坚定正确的政治方向，而坚定正确的政治方向在于具有坚定的马克思主义信仰和深厚的马克思主义理论素养。思政课用学术讲政治，就是要用马克思主义世界观和方法论阐明重大政治问题蕴涵的道理、学理、哲理、原理，用真理的力量回应学生思想诉求，引导学生树立坚定的马克思主义信仰，自觉地判断、把握并坚持正确的政治信念、政治方向、政治立场和政治态度。

Political steadfastness lies in having a firm and correct political belief. The firmness of political belief ultimately originates from theoretical clarity and from a firm belief in Marxism. Xi Jinping pointed out: “Belief in Marxism, faith in socialism and communism, is the political soul of Communists and the spiritual pillar that enables Communists to withstand various tests.” [2]2 The “Four Confidences” refers to confidence in the path, theory, system, and culture of socialism with Chinese characteristics.(P6) Theoretical shallowness and ideological ambiguity inevitably lead to political wavering. Marxism is a scientific theoretical system and the guiding ideology of the Communist Party of China; it can guide China’s development path, solve China’s practical problems, and propel China’s social progress. Therefore, consciously using scholarship to discuss politics means clarifying the essential relationship between Marxist scientific theory and the Party’s ideals, beliefs, and great practice, insisting on using theory to support ideals and faith to support belief, educating and guiding students to adhere to the Marxist worldview, outlook on life, and values, master the Marxist methodology, deeply understand the Party’s nature, purpose, and governance philosophy, help young students aspire to become socialist builders and successors, and strengthen their political belief in striving for the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics throughout their lives.

政治坚定在于具有坚定正确的政治信念。政治信念的坚定归根到底来源于理论上的清醒，来源于对马克思主义的坚定信仰。习近平指出：“对马克思主义的信仰，对社会主义和共产主义的信念，是共产党人的政治灵魂，是共产党人经受住各种考验的精神支柱。”[2](P6)理论上的浅薄、思想上的模糊必然导致政治上的摇摆。马克思主义是科学的理论体系和中国共产党的指导思想，它能够指引中国的发展道路，解决中国的实际问题，推动中国社会的前进步伐。因此，自觉用学术讲政治，就是要讲清马克思主义科学理论与党的理想信念和伟大实践之间的本质关系，坚持用理论支撑理想，用信仰支撑信念，教育引导学生坚持马克思主义的世界观、人生观和价值观，掌握马克思主义方法论，深刻领悟党的性质、宗旨和执政理念，助力青年学生立志成为社会主义建设者和接班人，坚定为中国特色社会主义事业奋斗终身的政治信念。

Political steadfastness lies in always adhering to a firm and correct political direction. When presiding over the sixth collective study session of the 19th Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, Xi Jinping pointed out: “Political direction is the primary issue concerning the survival and development of the Party, and it is related to the Party’s future, destiny, and the success or failure of its cause.” [3]3 The “Two Upholds” refers to upholding the authority and centralized, unified leadership of the Party Central Committee and upholding the core position of General Secretary Xi Jinping in the Party Central Committee and the Party as a whole.(P93) If there is confusion, deviation, or even going in the opposite direction on the issue of political direction, political steadfastness loses its foundation. To teach ideological and political courses well, it is necessary to use scholarly analysis to explain to students the unified relationship between the lofty ideal of communism, the common ideal of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and the Chinese Dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation; to clarify the essential relationship between upholding and strengthening the Party’s leadership and the development of the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics; and to elucidate the Party’s basic theory, basic line, basic strategy, and the central tasks of the Party in the New Era and new journey. This helps students grasp the general trend of contemporary China’s development and the correct political direction, encourages students to integrate a firm and correct political direction into their own study, life, and struggle, and ensures that students unwaveringly follow the Party and always advance along the correct political direction and path.

政治坚定在于始终坚持坚定正确的政治方向。习近平在主持十九届中共中央政治局第六次集体学习时指出：“政治方向是党生存发展第一位的问题，事关党的前途命运和事业兴衰成败。”[3](P93)在政治方向问题上闹不明白、出现偏离甚至南辕北辙，政治坚定也就丧失了根本。讲好思政课，就是要通过学理分析向学生讲清楚共产主义远大理想、中国特色社会主义共同理想和中华民族伟大复兴中国梦之间的统一关系，讲清楚坚持和加强党的领导同中国特色社会主义事业发展之间的本质关系，阐明党的基本理论、基本路线、基本方略以及党在新时代新征程的中心任务，进而帮助学生把准当代中国发展的大势和正确的政治方向，推动学生把坚定正确的政治方向贯彻到自身的学习生活奋斗之中，确保学生能够坚定不移跟党走，始终沿着正确的政治方向和道路前进。

Political steadfastness lies in having a firm and correct political attitude. Political attitude is a political tendency determined by political stance, embodied in political judgments and choices on major issues of principle. A clear political attitude often originates from a profound theoretical foundation and strong theoretical confidence. Belief in and mastery of Marxism endows people with a profound theoretical foundation and strong theoretical confidence, providing them with the stance, viewpoint, and method to correctly observe and analyze social issues, especially major political issues. Only by persistently arming their minds with Marxist theory and recognizing the truthfulness of Marxism can young students maintain theoretical clarity, promote theoretical confidence and political consciousness through theoretical clarity, solidify their correct political stance, and adhere to the correct political attitude. Using scholarship to discuss politics in ideological and political courses means using the scientific Marxist worldview and methodology to educate and guide students, enhancing the “Four Consciousnesses,” [1]1 The “Four Consciousnesses” refers to the consciousness of the need to maintain political integrity, think in big-picture terms, follow the leadership core, and keep in alignment with the central Party leadership. strengthening the “Four Confidences,” [2]2 The “Four Confidences” refers to confidence in the path, theory, system, and culture of socialism with Chinese characteristics. and achieving the “Two Upholds,” [3]3 The “Two Upholds” refers to upholding the authority and centralized, unified leadership of the Party Central Committee and upholding the core position of General Secretary Xi Jinping in the Party Central Committee and the Party as a whole. so that students consciously maintain a high degree of consistency with the Party Central Committee in political stance, political direction, political principles, and political path, becoming new-era talents whom the Party and the people can trust and who are capable of shouldering the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

政治坚定在于具有坚定正确的政治态度。政治态度是由政治立场决定的政治倾向，体现为大是大非的政治判断和政治选择。鲜明的政治态度往往来源于深厚的理论底蕴和强大的理论底气，对马克思主义的信仰和掌握则赋予了人们深厚的理论底蕴和强大的理论底气，提供了人们正确观察、分析社会问题特别是重大政治问题的立场、观点、方法。青年学生只有坚持用马克思主义理论武装自己的头脑，认识到马克思主义的真理本性，才能在理论上保持清醒，以理论清醒促进理论自信和政治自觉，坚定正确的政治立场，坚持正确的政治态度。思政课用学术讲政治，就是要用马克思主义科学的世界观和方法论教育引导学生，增强“四个意识”，坚定“四个自信”，做到“两个维护”，使学生在政治立场、政治方向、政治原则、政治道路上自觉同党中央保持高度一致，成为党和人民放心、堪当民族复兴大任的时代新人。

2. Political Steadfastness Lies in the Ability to Judge Political Right and Wrong

2. 政治坚定在于具有政治是非的判断能力

Political steadfastness lies in the ability to judge political right and wrong, and the key to judging political right and wrong lies in having profound theoretical insight. Faced with the complexity of political issues and the severe tests of political challenges, using scholarship to discuss politics means arming students’ minds with Marxism, using Marxism as a political “telescope” and “microscope,” continuously enhancing political acuity, political insight, and political judgment, always “maintaining political clarity on major issues of principle,” [4]4 Xi Jinping, "Speech at the School for National Education Administrators," *People's Daily*, 2019.(P13) and ensuring political steadfastness through theoretical clarity.

政治坚定在于具有政治是非的判断能力，而判断政治是非关键在于具有深刻的理论洞察力。面对政治问题的纷纭复杂和政治挑战的严峻考验，用学术讲政治，关键是用马克思主义武装学生头脑，把马克思主义作为政治上的“望远镜”“显微镜”，不断增强政治敏锐力、政治洞察力、政治判断力，始终“在大是大非面前保持政治清醒”，[4](P13)以理论上的清醒确保政治上的坚定。

Entering the New Era, the economic and political situations at home and abroad have undergone profound evolution. The strategic overall plan for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and the changes unseen in a century in the world are intertwined, and national development, national progress, and Party building “face many stubborn and recurrent problems, and external suppression and containment may escalate at any time. Our country’s development has entered a period of strategic opportunities and risk challenges coexisting, with increasing uncertainties and unpredictable factors, and various ‘black swan’ and ‘gray rhino’ events may occur at any time.”[5](P26) Faced with increasingly complex development situations and trends, students are inevitably confused and lost. Especially in the ideological and cultural sphere, some erroneous views are rampant, and hostile forces at home and abroad attempt to disrupt people’s thinking through the peaceful evolution means of “color revolution,” overthrow the Party’s leadership, and destabilize and destroy

进入新时代，国内外经济政治形势发生深刻演化。中华民族伟大复兴战略全局和世界百年未有之大变局相互交织，国家发展、民族进步和党的建设“面临不少顽固性、多发性问题，来自外部的打压遏制随时可能升级。我国发展进入战略机遇和风险挑战并存、不确定难预料因素增多的时期，各种‘黑天鹅’、‘灰犀牛’事件随时可能发生”。[5](P26)面对日趋复杂的发展形势和态势，学生难免会有困惑和迷茫。特别是在思想文化领域，一部分错误观点甚嚣尘上，境内外敌对势力妄图通过“颜色革命”的和平演变手段扰乱人们的思想，推翻党的领导，把中国这一世界上人口规模巨大的社会主义国家搞乱搞垮。针对这些重大的政治是非和严峻的政治考验，思政课用学术讲政治，就要旗帜鲜明地以学理讲政治、讲立场、讲方向，用马克思主义讲清楚人类社会发展规律、社会主义建设规律以及共产党执政规律。只有从学理上揭示这些规律，讲清楚为什么要坚持中国共产党的领导，讲清楚党的领导为什么是中国特色社会主义最本质的特征、是中国特色社会主义制度的最大优势，讲清楚党团结带领全国人民走中国特色社会主义道路取得的伟大成就，才能引导学生增强对党和国家、对中国特色社会主义道路、对中华民族美好光明前途的坚定信心。思政课还要运用马克思主义世界观和方法论加强对各种社会思潮的学理分析和批判，敢于在重大政治原则和大是大非问题上发声亮剑，敢于同各种错误言论、观点进行斗争，在论战、批判、驳斥错误思潮和观点之中，帮助学生提高运用马克思主义立场、观点和方法分析批判错误思潮、判断政治是非的能力，在批判、交锋中认清马克思主义的科学性与真理性，进一步坚定马克思主义信仰。

Therefore, using scholarship to discuss politics in ideological-political courses means focusing on the great cause of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, focusing on the profound evolution of the "changes unseen in a century in the world," and persistently using thought to ignite ideals. It is necessary to ignite students' ideals through studying, researching, and disseminating Marxist thought, helping students maintain political judgment amidst debates over paths, analyses of theories, distinctions of systems, and reflections on culture, and to unite closely around the Party on the new journey of the New Era of comprehensively advancing Chinese-path modernization, becoming "useful talents who support the leadership of the Communist Party of China and China's socialist system generation after generation and are determined to strive for the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics throughout their lives,"[4]4 Xi Jinping, "Speech at the School for National Education Administrators," *People's Daily*, 2019.(P5-6) always advancing along the direction and path guided by lofty ideals, common ideals, and the great dream, and writing the youthful chapter of Chinese-path modernization with struggle and sweat.

因此，思政课用学术讲政治，就是要着眼于中华民族伟大复兴的千秋伟业，着眼于“世界百年未有之大变局”的深刻演化，坚持用思想点燃理想。要通过学习、研究、传播马克思主义的思想，来点燃学生的理想，帮助学生在道路之争、理论之析、制度之辨、文化之思中保持政治判断力，在全面推进中国式现代化的新时代新征程中紧密团结凝聚在党的周围，成为“一代又一代拥护中国共产党领导和我国社会主义制度、立志为中国特色社会主义事业奋斗终身的有用人才”，[4](P5-6)始终沿着远大理想、共同理想和伟大梦想指引的方向和道路前进，用奋斗和汗水谱写中国式现代化的青春华章。

3. Political Firmness Lies in Always Possessing Strong Political Resilience

3. 政治坚定在于始终具有强大的政治定力

Political firmness lies in always possessing strong political resilience, and political resilience originates from the political stance empowered by Marxism. A lack of profound theoretical understanding of political issues will lead to ideological ambiguity and political wavering, ultimately resulting in a deficiency of political resilience. Therefore, using scholarship to discuss politics in ideological-political courses must consolidate and strengthen the Marxist theoretical foundation for young students' political firmness, eliminate various distractions and dispel various confusions ideologically and politically, and always adhere to the correct political stance and maintain the correct political direction.

政治坚定在于始终具有强大的政治定力，而政治定力源于马克思主义赋能的政治立场。对政治问题缺乏深刻的理论认识，就会产生思想上的模糊和政治上的动摇，最终导致政治定力的缺失。因此，思政课用学术讲政治，必须夯实筑牢青年学生政治坚定的马克思主义理论根基，在思想上政治上排除各种干扰、消除各种困惑，始终坚持正确政治立场、保持正确政治方向。

First, political judgment should be enhanced in deepening theoretical study. Ideological-political courses have distinct ideological and political orientation. Teachers of ideological-political courses must have a clear political stance, based on their own profound theoretical foundation, use deep scholarship to clarify political principles, attract, guide, and influence students with the power of Marxist truth, and clear ideological mists and clarify vague understandings with the light of theory. Teachers of ideological-political courses should guide students to continuously strengthen the study of Marxist theory, enhance political resilience, independently and consciously distinguish major political issues of right and wrong, always adhere to the Marxist stance, the socialist stance, and the stance of the Party and the people, and consciously become socialist builders and successors needed by the Party and the people.

首先，要在深化理论学习中增强政治判断。思政课具有鲜明的意识形态性和政治导向性，思政课教师必须具有鲜明的政治立场，以自身深厚的理论功底为基，用深厚的学术讲清政治上的道理，以马克思主义真理的力量吸引学生、引导学生、感染学生，以理论之光廓清思想迷雾，澄清模糊认识。思政课教师要引导学生不断加强马克思主义理论学习，增强政治定力，自主自觉地辨析政治上的大是大非，始终坚持马克思主义立场、坚持社会主义立场、坚持党和人民的立场，自觉做党和人民需要的社会主义建设者与接班人。

Second, political comprehension should be enhanced in strengthening theoretical thinking. Ideological-political courses are highly political, but they also require strong academic rationality as support. Political nature must be embedded within academic rationality, educating students to consciously use Marxist theory to analyze political issues and consolidate the theoretical foundation for enhancing political resilience. Teachers of ideological-political courses should not only explain "what" the principles of Marxism are, but also explain "why" and "how to do it," thoroughly and vividly explaining the relationship between the "capability" of the Communist Party of China, the "goodness" of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and the "viability" of Marxism, cultivating students' ability to observe political issues using theoretical thinking. Facing some sharp and sensitive political questions raised by students, teachers of ideological-political courses must never evade them, but must clearly and thoroughly explain the deep-level academic principles involved in these political issues, respond to students with rigorous Marxist worldview and methodology, clarify students' vague understandings, continuously strengthen students' conviction in the inevitable victory of the cause of the Party and the people, strengthen their confidence in the Party's leadership, and enhance their political resilience to unswervingly follow the Party.

其次，要在强化理论思维中增强政治领悟。思政课是一门政治性很强的课程，但它也需要高度的学理性作为支撑，须把政治性寓于学理性之中，教育学生自觉运用马克思主义理论分析政治问题，筑牢增强政治定力的理论根基。思政课教师不仅要讲好马克思主义的道理“是什么”，还要讲好“为什么”“怎么办”，把中国共产党“能”、中国特色社会主义“好”和马克思主义“行”的关系讲深讲透讲活，培养学生运用理论思维观察政治问题的能力。面对学生提出的一些尖锐敏感的政治问题，思政课教师绝不能回避，而要把涉及这些政治问题的深层次学理讲清楚讲透彻，以缜密的马克思主义世界观和方法论回应学生，澄清学生的模糊认识，不断增强学生对党和人民事业必胜的信念，增强对党的领导的信心，增强学生坚定不移跟党走的政治定力。

Finally, political consciousness should be enhanced in integrating theory with practice. Political consciousness originates from the Marxist stance, viewpoint, and method, from Marxism that has been adapted to the Chinese context and the needs of the times, and from living Marxism that arises from practice and is applied and developed in practice. Teachers of ideological-political courses should adhere to integrating theory with practice, combining the small classroom of ideological-political education with the big classroom of society, clearly explaining the basic principles of Marxism, clearly explaining the Marxist stance, viewpoint, and method, clearly explaining the three leaps in the sinicization of Marxism resulting from the integration of the basic principles of Marxism with China's specific realities, and clearly explaining the experiences and lessons in the process of the sinicization of Marxism. They should persist in using theory to inspire consciousness, use consciousness to promote self-directed action, educate and guide students to always adhere to the Party's leadership, consciously maintain a high degree of consistency with the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core in thought, politics, and action, promote their own comprehensive development and healthy growth, and continuously make new contributions in the historical process of promoting the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and common prosperity for all people.

最后，要在理论联系实际中增强政治自觉。政治自觉源于马克思主义立场、观点、方法，源于中国化时代化的马克思主义，源于产生于实践又在实践中运用和发展的鲜活的马克思主义。思政课教师要坚持理论联系实际，把思政小课堂和社会大课堂结合起来，把马克思主义基本原理讲清楚，把马克思主义立场、观点、方法讲清楚，把马克思主义基本原理同中国具体实际相结合产生的马克思主义中国化的三次飞跃讲清楚，把马克思主义中国化进程中的经验和教训讲清楚。要坚持用理论启发自觉，用自觉促进自为，教育引导学生始终坚持党的领导，自觉在思想上、政治上、行动上同以习近平同志为核心的党中央保持高度一致，促进自身的全面发展和健康成长，在推动实现中华民族伟大复兴和全体人民共同富裕的历史进程中不断作出新的贡献。

II. Theoretical Clarity Originates from the Scientific Truth of Marxism

二、理论清醒源于马克思主义科学真理

Marxism is the fundamental guiding ideology for building the Party and the country, and for rejuvenating the Party and the country. Xi Jinping pointed out: "The fate of Marxism has long been closely linked with the fate of the Communist Party of China, the fate of the Chinese people, and the fate of the Chinese nation."[6]6 Xi Jinping, "Speech at the Conference Commemorating the 200th Anniversary of the Birth of Karl Marx," *People's Daily*, 2018.(P14) Theoretical clarity does not refer to an understanding of general theories, but to clarity in thought, politics, and action produced on the basis of in-depth study, research, mastery, and application of the Marxist worldview and methodology. Theoretical clarity is the adherence to Marxist faith and truth, the persistence and application of the basic principles, stance, viewpoint, and method of Marxism, the confrontation and critique of various "non-Marxist, fake Marxist, and anti-Marxist" thoughts, and the adherence to, development of, and practice of Marxism. Using scholarship to discuss politics means providing a strong ideological guarantee for political firmness with the power of Marxist truth and theoretical clarity.

马克思主义是我们立党立国、兴党兴国的根本指导思想。习近平指出：“马克思主义的命运早已同中国共产党的命运、中国人民的命运、中华民族的命运紧紧连在一起”。[6](P14)理论上的清醒不是指对一般理论的了解，而是在深入学习、研究、掌握、运用马克思主义世界观和方法论的基础之上，产生的思想上、政治上、行动上的清醒。理论清醒，是对马克思主义信仰和真理的坚守，是对马克思主义基本原理和立场、观点、方法的坚持和运用，是同各种“非马假马反马”思想的交锋与批判，是对马克思主义的坚持、发展和践行。用学术讲政治，就是要以马克思主义的真理力量和理论清醒为政治坚定提供坚强思想保障。

1. Theoretical Clarity Originates from the Universal Truth of Marxism

1. 理论清醒源于马克思主义的普遍真理

Using scholarship to discuss politics is inseparable from theoretical clarity, and achieving theoretical clarity first requires a firm belief in Marxism, as well as deeply studying, comprehending, and upholding the universal truths of Marxism. Once theoretical clarity is achieved, it in turn prompts us to apply and practice Marxism with a high degree of theoretical consciousness, and to further strengthen our belief in Marxism under the guidance of scientific theory. Only by having those with a firm belief in Marxism teach about belief, and by having those who understand Marxism, believe in Marxism, and practice Marxism teach Marxism, can we continuously enhance the confidence to teach ideological-political courses well, and use our own theoretical clarity to strengthen students’ theoretical clarity.

用学术讲政治，离不开理论上的清醒，而做到理论清醒首先要坚定马克思主义信仰，深入学习、领会、坚持马克思主义的普遍真理。理论上一旦清醒，又会反过来促使我们以高度的理论自觉运用和践行马克思主义，并在科学理论的指导下进一步坚定马克思主义的信仰。让有坚定马克思主义信仰的人讲信仰，让懂马克思主义、信马克思主义、践行马克思主义的人讲马克思主义，才能不断增强讲好思政课的底气，以自身的理论清醒增强学生的理论清醒。

Theoretical clarity does not refer to theoretical clarity in a general sense, but to the theoretical clarity endowed by Marxism. The theoretical clarity of Marxism did not emerge from nothing; it gradually took shape through the Communist Party of China’s theoretical explorations and historical practices in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context. The theoretical clarity of Marxism originates from the scientific nature of Marxism, from the integration of the basic principles of Marxism with China’s specific realities, from the CPC’s history of struggle, and from the great practice of contemporary China’s reform and opening up. Marxism reveals the most general and universal laws of nature, human society, and the development of thought, especially its thorough revelation of the laws governing the movement of the principal contradiction in the development of human society, the laws of the inevitable demise of capitalism and the inevitable victory of socialism, and the laws of the development of socialism with Chinese characteristics. This provides us with a scientific theoretical foundation for adhering to a correct political stance, political direction, and political conviction. Theoretical clarity means deeply studying, mastering, and practicing the basic principles and universal truths of Marxism. These basic principles and universal truths have been fully applied, profoundly demonstrated, and repeatedly tested in the Party’s century-long history of struggle, especially in the great practice of contemporary China’s reform and opening up, providing a solid foundation for us to further maintain theoretical clarity.

理论清醒，不是泛指的理论清醒，而是马克思主义赋予的理论清醒。马克思主义的理论清醒不是凭空产生的，而是中国共产党在马克思主义中国化的理论探索和历史实践之中逐渐形成起来的。马克思主义的理论清醒，来源于马克思主义的科学性，来源于马克思主义基本原理与中国具体实际的结合，来源于中国共产党的奋斗历史，来源于当代中国改革开放的伟大实践。马克思主义揭示了自然界、人类社会和思维发展的最一般、最普遍的规律，特别是对于人类社会发展基本矛盾运动的规律、资本主义必然灭亡和社会主义必然胜利的规律以及中国特色社会主义发展规律的透彻揭示，为我们坚持坚定正确的政治立场、政治方向、政治信念提供了科学的理论支撑。理论清醒，就是要对马克思主义的基本原理和普遍真理深入地学习、掌握和实践。马克思主义的基本原理和普遍真理在党的百余年奋斗历史尤其是当代中国改革开放的伟大实践中得以充分运用、深刻彰显和反复检验，为我们进一步保持理论清醒提供了坚实基础。

The reason why the Communist Party of China possesses such strong cohesion and combat effectiveness ultimately lies in our Party’s high degree of theoretical clarity and the scientific guidance of Marxism, which serves as the inexhaustible source of our theoretical clarity. For ideological-political courses to use scholarship to discuss politics, it means to “pursue truth with the spirit of truth, and adhere unwaveringly to the basic principles of Marxism,”[5](P20) enabling students to truly study, truly understand, truly believe in, and truly apply Marxism. In the process of using the basic principles, standpoints, viewpoints, and methods of Marxism to analyze and solve China’s practical problems, through historical facts and theoretical explanations, we must clearly, deeply, and thoroughly explain the development of Marxism in China and its immense role in promoting social progress. This further deepens students’ understanding and mastery of Marxism, laying a solid theoretical foundation for students to always maintain theoretical clarity, enhance political identification, and firmly establish their political direction.

中国共产党之所以具有强大的凝聚力和战斗力，究其根源在于我们党有着高度的理论清醒，有着马克思主义的科学指导，马克思主义成为我们理论清醒的不竭源泉。思政课用学术讲政治，就是要“以真理的精神追求真理，坚持马克思主义基本原理不动摇”，[5](P20)让学生真学、真懂、真信、真用马克思主义，在运用马克思主义基本原理和立场、观点、方法分析解决中国实际问题的过程中，通过历史事实和理论阐释把马克思主义在中国的发展、对中国社会进步的巨大作用讲清讲深讲透，进一步加深学生对马克思主义的理解和掌握，为学生始终保持理论清醒、增强政治认同、坚定政治方向，奠定坚实的理论基础。

2. Theoretical Clarity Originates from Marxism Adapted to the Chinese Context and the Needs of the Times

2. 理论清醒源于中国化时代化的马克思主义

Theoretical clarity originates not only from Marxism but also from Marxism adapted to the Chinese context and the needs of the times. Marxism is a theory that continuously develops with the evolution of practice and the times. Adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times is the process of integrating the basic principles of Marxism with China’s specific realities, continuously advancing the application, innovation, and development of Marxism in China. “Advancing the adaptation of Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times is a process of pursuing truth, revealing truth, and practicing truth.”[5](P16) To teach ideological-political courses well, it is necessary, on the basis of a profound grasp of the basic principles and universal truths of Marxism, to clearly explain the essence of the Sinicization of Marxism, to clearly explain Marxism adapted to the Chinese context and the needs of the times, to clearly explain that “Marxism works” and that “Marxism adapted to the Chinese context and the needs of the times works,”[5](P16) and always to ensure political firmness through theoretical clarity.

理论清醒不仅源于马克思主义，还源于中国化时代化的马克思主义。马克思主义是随着实践和时代发展而不断发展的理论，马克思主义中国化时代化就是把马克思主义基本原理同中国具体实际相结合，不断推进马克思主义在中国的运用、创新和发展的过程。“推进马克思主义中国化时代化是一个追求真理、揭示真理、笃行真理的过程”。[5](P16)讲好思政课，就是要在深刻把握马克思主义基本原理和普遍真理的基础上，讲清楚马克思主义中国化的实质，讲清楚中国化时代化的马克思主义，讲清楚“马克思主义行”“中国化时代化的马克思主义行”，[5](P16)始终以理论清醒保证政治上的坚定。

Theoretical clarity is both a kind of awareness and a state of being. To maintain a state of theoretical clarity over the long term, it is necessary to use the basic principles of Marxism and Marxism adapted to the Chinese context and the needs of the times to scientifically answer major issues of the era. Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is the latest theoretical achievement of adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times. It is “the Marxism of contemporary China and the Marxism of the twenty-first century, the essence of the times of Chinese culture and the Chinese spirit, and has achieved a new leap in the Sinicization of Marxism.”[7]7 This is a reference to the “Two Integrations” (两个结合), a key theoretical formulation by Xi Jinping: integrating the basic principles of Marxism with China’s specific realities, and with the fine traditional Chinese culture.(P26) Theoretical clarity originates from the theoretical innovation of the “Two Integrations” of Marxism, and from Marxism adapted to the Chinese context and the needs of the times. “Only by integrating the basic principles of Marxism with China’s specific realities and with the fine traditional Chinese culture, and by adhering to and applying dialectical materialism and historical materialism, can we correctly answer the major questions posed by the era and practice, and can we always maintain the vigorous vitality and exuberant energy of Marxism.”[5](P17) Marxism adapted to the Chinese context and the needs of the times reveals the laws of the development of socialism with Chinese characteristics, the laws of the CPC’s governance, and the development trends of contemporary China and the world, providing us with scientific theoretical support for adhering to the correct political stance and political direction, and for firmly taking the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

理论清醒既是一种觉悟，也是一种状态。要想长期保持理论清醒的状态，就必须用马克思主义基本原理和中国化时代化的马克思主义对重大时代课题予以科学回答。习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想是马克思主义中国化时代化的最新理论成果，是“当代中国马克思主义、二十一世纪马克思主义，是中华文化和中国精神的时代精华，实现了马克思主义中国化新的飞跃”。[7](P26)理论清醒源于马克思主义“两个结合”的理论创新，源于中国化时代化的马克思主义。“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。”[5](P17)中国化时代化的马克思主义揭示了中国特色社会主义发展规律，揭示了中国共产党执政规律，揭示了当代中国和世界的发展趋势，为我们坚持正确的政治立场、政治方向，坚定走中国特色社会主义道路，提供了科学的理论支撑。

For ideological-political courses to use scholarship to discuss politics, it means to combine the history and reality of China’s and the world’s development, to clearly explain Marxism adapted to the Chinese context and the needs of the times, and to use Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era to forge souls and educate people.[4]4 Xi Jinping, "Speech at the School for National Education Administrators," *People's Daily*, 2019.(P6) It is necessary to conduct systematic and scholarly explanations of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and to thoroughly explain a series of major issues of the era, such as “what kind of socialism with Chinese characteristics to uphold and develop in the New Era and how to uphold and develop it, what kind of a great modern socialist country to build and how to build it, and what kind of a long-term governing Marxist party to build and how to build it.” It is necessary to enhance the contemporary relevance of ideological-political courses, truly responding to students with thorough scholarly analysis, convincing students with profound ideological insights, and maintaining theoretical clarity and political firmness in the process of answering the issues of the era. This guides students to consciously use Marxist standpoints, viewpoints, and methods to respond to various erroneous views and trends of thought, continuously improving the explanatory power of ideological-political courses regarding practical issues and their guiding power over young students.

思政课用学术讲政治，就是要结合中国和世界发展的历史与现实，讲清楚中国化时代化马克思主义，用习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想铸魂育人。[4](P6)要对习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想进行系统性、学理性阐释，讲深讲透“新时代坚持和发展什么样的中国特色社会主义、怎样坚持和发展中国特色社会主义，建设什么样的社会主义现代化强国、怎样建设社会主义现代化强国，建设什么样的长期执政的马克思主义政党、怎样建设长期执政的马克思主义政党”等一系列重大时代课题。要增强思政课的时代感，真正做到以透彻的学理分析回应学生，以深邃的思想见解说服学生，在回答好时代课题中永葆理论清醒和政治坚定，引导学生自觉运用马克思主义的立场、观点、方法回应各种错误观点和思潮，不断提升思政课对现实问题的阐释力和对青年学生的引领力。

3. Theoretical Clarity Originates from the Unity of the Truth and Value of Marxism

3. 理论清醒源于马克思主义真理性与价值性的统一

Marxism is a theory that unites conformity with laws and conformity with purposes, a theory that unites truth and value. The essence of ideological-political courses is to explain principles. Using scholarship to discuss politics requires clearly explaining both the truth of Marxism and the value of Marxism, and, even more so, clearly explaining the unity of the truth and value of Marxism.

马克思主义是合规律性与合目的性相统一的理论，是真理性和价值性相统一的理论。思政课的本质是讲道理，用学术讲政治，既要讲清楚马克思主义的真理性，也要讲清楚马克思主义的价值性，更要讲清楚马克思主义真理性与价值性的统一。

Theoretical clarity originates from the truth of Marxism. “The truth of the principles taught in ideological-political courses is manifested in the fact that Marxism conforms to laws; it reflects the essence of objective things and reveals the laws of objective things, and is therefore a truthful understanding.”[8]8 This is a direct quotation from an internal source (reference [8] in the original text), likely a Chinese scholarly article on ideological-political education. Marxism is a truthful understanding that has been tested in social practice. The more thorough the truth of Marxism, the more it aligns with the fundamental interests of the proletariat and the working people, and the more it helps us understand and transform the world. Theoretical clarity also originates precisely from Marxism’s profound revelation of the laws of development and inevitable trends of human society. Therefore, only by clearly explaining the truth of Marxism and responding to the issues of the era with the scientific truth of Marxism can teachers of ideological-political courses “move students with the power of truth and win them over with profound theoretical grounding,”[4]4 Xi Jinping, "Speech at the School for National Education Administrators," *People's Daily*, 2019.(P16) truly establishing a heart for the nation, forging a soul for the people, and cultivating new generations for the era for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

理论清醒源于马克思主义的真理性。“思政课所讲的道理的真理性表现为马克思主义是合规律性的，其反映了客观事物的本质，揭示了客观事物的规律，因而是真理性的认识。”[8]马克思主义是在社会实践中得到检验的真理性认识。马克思主义的真理性越彻底，越符合无产阶级和劳动人民的根本利益，越有助于我们认识世界、改造世界。理论清醒也正是源于马克思主义对人类社会发展规律和必然趋势的深刻揭示。因此，思政课教师只有讲清楚马克思主义的真理性，以马克思主义科学真理回应时代课题，才能“用真理的力量感召学生，以深厚的理论功底赢得学生”，[4](P16)真正做到为国家立心，为民族铸魂，为中华民族伟大复兴培育时代新人。

Theoretical clarity originates from the value character of Marxism. “The value character of the principles taught in ideological-political courses is manifested in the fact that Marxism is purposive; it reflects the trends of social development and the needs of the masses.” [8]8 This is a direct quotation from an internal source (reference [8] in the original text), likely a Chinese scholarly article on ideological-political education. Marxism scientifically reveals the laws of human social development and conforms to the fundamental interests of the proletariat and the masses; this is the embodiment of Marxism’s value character. When teachers of ideological-political courses use scholarship to discuss politics, they must thoroughly explain the value character of Marxism to students, enabling them to fully understand this value character, deeply grasp the great significance of Marxism for the Communist Party of China in uniting and leading the people of the whole country in revolution, construction, and reform, and profoundly comprehend the guiding significance of Marxism for their own comprehensive development and growth into talent, so that they consciously take Marxism as a powerful spiritual weapon for promoting their own comprehensive development and for understanding and transforming the world.

理论清醒源于马克思主义的价值性。“思政课所讲道理的价值性表现为马克思主义是合目的性的，其反映了社会发展的趋势，反映了人民群众的需要”。[8]马克思主义科学揭示了人类社会发展规律，符合无产阶级和人民群众的根本利益，这是马克思主义价值性的体现。思政课教师用学术讲政治，就是要把马克思主义的价值性向学生讲深讲透，让学生充分理解马克思主义的价值性，深刻把握马克思主义对于中国共产党团结带领全国人民进行革命、建设、改革的伟大意义，深刻领悟马克思主义对于自身全面发展和成长成才的指导意义，自觉把马克思主义作为促进自身全面发展和认识世界、改造世界的强大精神武器。

Theoretical clarity originates from the unity of the truth character and value character of Marxism. Xi Jinping points out: “No

理论清醒源于马克思主义真理性与价值性的统一。习近平指出：“无论时代如何变迁、科学如何进步，马克思主义依然显示出科学思想的伟力，依然占据着真理和道义的制高点。”[9](P10)马克思主义的真理性越彻底，越有利于反映和维护人民群众的根本利益。马克思主义的价值性越彻底，越有利于马克思主义成为工人阶级和劳动人民的锐利武器。思政课用学术讲政治，既要讲清楚马克思主义的真理性，也要讲清楚马克思主义的价值性，更要讲清楚马克思主义真理性和价值性的统一。思政课教师要寓价值引领于知识传授之中，把马克思主义科学真理同国家富强、民族振兴、人民幸福之间的本质联系给学生讲清楚，把马克思主义科学真理同当代青年学生价值实现之间的本质联系给学生讲清楚，以更好地引导和激励青年开拓奋进，紧密团结凝聚在党的周围，始终坚持并不断践行崇高理想信念与核心价值观念，在创造美好生活中实现新时代新征程的共同美好愿景。

III. Using Scholarship to Discuss Politics Is the Key Requirement of Ideological-Political Courses

三、用学术讲政治是思政课的关键要求

Political nature is the fundamental attribute of ideological-political courses, academic rationality is their essential characteristic, and using scholarship to discuss politics is the key requirement of these courses. Ideological-political courses must adhere to the dialectical unity of political nature and academic rationality. They must not only clearly articulate the political nature and direction of the courses but also use scholarly analysis to highlight their scientific and truth-based character. Using scholarship to discuss politics in ideological-political courses means focusing on employing the Marxist worldview and methodology to provide profound scholarly support for discussing politics, helping students to firmly establish their political direction in grasping the general trend, enhance their political confidence through horizontal comparison, and deepen their political identification in the course of historical development.

政治性是思政课的根本属性，学理性是思政课的本质特征，用学术讲政治是思政课的关键要求。思政课要坚持政治性与学理性的辩证统一，既要旗帜鲜明地讲清思政课的政治性与方向性，也要用学理分析彰显思政课的科学性与真理性。思政课用学术讲政治，就是要注重用马克思主义世界观和方法论为讲政治提供深厚的学理支撑，帮助学生在把握大势中坚定政治方向，在横向比较中增强政治自信，在历史发展中深化政治认同。

1. Firmly Establishing Political Direction in Grasping the General Trend

1. 在把握大势中坚定政治方向

To teach ideological-political courses well and adhere to using scholarship to discuss politics, it is necessary to use the Marxist worldview and methodology to clearly explain the reasoning, scholarly principles, philosophical principles, and fundamental tenets of why one must uphold a correct political direction. This helps students recognize and grasp the general trend of social development, uphold a firm and correct political direction, and always advance along the direction and path of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

讲好思政课，坚持用学术讲政治，就要用马克思主义世界观和方法论讲清楚为什么要坚持正确政治方向的道理、学理、哲理、原理，帮助学生认清和把握社会发展大势，坚持坚定正确的政治方向，始终沿着中国特色社会主义的方向和道路前进。

The so-called general trend refers to the overarching trend of human social development, which is determined by the movement and laws of the fundamental contradictions of society. Marxist historical materialism tells us that the fundamental contradiction of capitalist society is between socialized large-scale production and the private capitalist ownership of the means of production. This contradiction is the manifestation of the fundamental social contradictions between productive forces and relations of production, and between the economic base and the superstructure, in the capitalist stage. The fundamental contradiction of capitalist society determines the historical developmental trend that capitalism will inevitably perish and socialism will inevitably triumph. In today's world, changes unseen in a century are accelerating, and "changes in the world, in the times, and in history are unfolding in ways like never before." [5](P60) Using scholarship to discuss politics in ideological-political courses requires explaining to students the basic principles of Marxist historical materialism, the fundamental contradictions, objective laws, and inevitable trends of society, the great currents of human development, the major patterns of world change, and the general trend of China's development. It also requires clearly explaining the general trend that capitalism will inevitably be replaced by socialism, profoundly answering the century-old questions of "What is happening to the world, where is humanity headed, and what should China do?" This helps students, who stand at a new crossroads of history, make correct political choices, firmly establish a correct political direction, and always advance along the correct political direction and great struggle goals established by the Party.

所谓大势，即人类社会发展大趋势，它是由社会基本矛盾运动及其规律决定的。马克思主义唯物史观告诉我们，资本主义社会的基本矛盾是社会化大生产和生产资料资本主义私人占有之间的矛盾，这一矛盾是生产力与生产关系、经济基础与上层建筑的社会基本矛盾在资本主义阶段的体现，资本主义社会的基本矛盾决定了资本主义必然灭亡和社会主义必然胜利的历史发展趋势。当今世界，百年未有之大变局加速演进，“世界之变、时代之变、历史之变正以前所未有的方式展开”。[5](P60)思政课用学术讲政治，就要向学生讲清楚马克思主义唯物史观的基本原理，讲清楚社会的基本矛盾、客观规律和必然趋势，讲清楚人类发展大潮流、世界变化大格局和中国发展大趋势，讲清楚资本主义必然被社会主义代替的大势，深刻回答“世界怎么了，人类何处去，中国怎么办”的世纪之问，帮助处在历史新的十字路口的学生作出正确的政治选择，坚定正确的政治方向，始终沿着党确立的正确政治方向和伟大奋斗目标不断前进。

Ideological-political courses use theory to conduct persuasion and education. Mao Zedong profoundly pointed out: "To make people submit, one can only persuade, not coerce. The result of coercion is always that the coerced do not submit." [10]10 Mao Zedong. “Speech at the Chinese Communist Party’s National Conference on Propaganda Work.” *Selected Works of Mao Zedong*, Vol. 5. The quote is from a March 1957 speech emphasizing the role of comparison and struggle in ideological work.(P279) Students can only be persuaded, not coerced. Forcing students' thoughts and opinions without considering objective reality, not allowing students to speak freely, and failing to use the scientific theories and methods of Marxism and Marxism adapted to the Chinese context to answer and resolve students' ideological perplexities in equal exchange and interaction may lead to phenomena such as "coercion without submission" or "verbal acceptance but inner dissent." Ideological-political courses must discuss reasoning and truth, not volume or arrogance, and should not resort to reading from scripts or speaking empty and formulaic words. To teach ideological-political courses well, one must use scholarship to discuss politics, grasp the general trend of the world, focus on the issues of the times, clearly explain the profound scholarly principles behind political issues, and continuously respond to students' concerns, social hotspots, and developmental topics. When discussing politics, the Marxist worldview and methodology embedded within must be explained clearly, thoroughly, and incisively. Using innovative disciplinary, academic, and discourse systems, the academic rationality and truth of the content of ideological-political courses should be expressed, moving from phenomena to essence, from the surface to the core, and from the shallow to the deep. This helps students recognize the reasoning behind politics through profound scholarship, deeply reveal the theoretical logic behind political issues, and respond to and resolve students' ideological perplexities on political issues. By using scholarship to discuss politics, the academic rationality and truth of Marxism are presented before students, truly allowing ideological-political courses to enter their ears, minds, and hearts. The power of theory, logic, and truth is used to persuade, grasp, and guide students, strengthening their political identification. Entering the New Era, people's modes of production, lifestyles, ways of interaction, and modes of thought have all undergone significant and profound changes. These changes pose various questions about how to teach ideological-political courses well. Using scholarship to discuss politics requires anchoring on the major practical issues in the process of advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, using Marxism and Marxism adapted to the Chinese context and the needs of the times to "continuously answer the questions of China, the world, the people, and the times." [5](P17) This helps students correctly understand and respond to the major epochal issues facing China and the world's development, eliminate ideological perplexities, resolve the confusion of growth, and always uphold the correct political direction in grasping the general trend, unswervingly following the Communist Party of China on the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

思政课是运用理论进行说服教育。毛泽东曾深刻指出：“要人家服，只能说服，不能压服。压服的结果总是压而不服。”[10](P279)学生只能被说服，不能被压服。不考虑客观实际强行压制学生的思想和意见，不让学生畅所欲言，不在平等交流互动中用马克思主义、中国化时代化马克思主义的科学理论和方法回答释解学生的思想困惑，就可能会出现“压而不服”“口服心不服”的现象。思政课要讲道理、讲真理，不能讲声量、讲霸气，不宜照本宣科、讲空话套话。讲好思政课，要用学术讲政治，把握世界大势，聚焦时代问题，讲清政治问题的深刻学理，不断回应学生关切、社会热点和发展课题。要在讲政治时把内蕴其中的马克思主义的世界观和方法论讲清楚、讲明白、讲透彻，以创新的学科体系、学术体系、话语体系将思政课内容的学理性、真理性表达出来，从现象到本质、由表及里、由浅入深，以深刻的学理帮助学生认识政治背后的道理，深刻揭示政治问题背后的理论逻辑，回应解答学生在政治问题上的思想困惑。通过用学术讲政治，把马克思主义的学理性、真理性呈现在学生面前，真正让思政课入耳入脑入心，用理论的力量、逻辑的力量、真理的力量说服学生、掌握学生、引导学生，强化学生的政治认同。进入新时代，人们的生产方式、生活方式、交往方式及思想方式都发生了重大而深刻的变化，这些变化给如何讲好思政课提出了各种各样的问题。用学术讲政治，要锚定推进强国复兴进程中的重大现实问题，以马克思主义、中国化时代化马克思主义“不断回答中国之问、世界之问、人民之问、时代之问”。[5](P17)帮助学生正确认识和回答中国和世界发展面临的重大时代课题，消除思想困惑，破解成长迷茫，在把握大势中始终坚持正确的政治方向，坚定不移地跟着中国共产党走中国特色社会主义道路。

2. Enhancing Political Confidence Through Horizontal Comparison

2. 在横向比较中增强政治自信

To teach ideological-political courses well and enhance political confidence, a very important point is to use the viewpoint and method that things are universally connected. Through horizontal connections and international comparisons, the significant advantages of our country's development should be clearly explained, and the profound reasoning behind "China's advantages" should be articulated in a scholarly manner. Using scholarship to discuss politics means clearly explaining, through international horizontal comparison, the great achievements China has made and their political advantages, prompting students to continuously strengthen their political convictions, enhance their political confidence, and unswervingly take the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

讲好思政课，增强政治自信，很重要的一点就是要运用事物是普遍联系的观点和方法，在横向联系和国际比较中讲清楚我们国家发展的显著优势，并以学理化的方式讲清楚“中国优势”背后的深刻道理。用学术讲政治，就是要在国际横向对比中讲清楚中国取得的伟大成就及其政治优势，促使学生不断坚定政治信念，增强政治自信，坚定不移地走中国特色社会主义道路。

For ideological and political courses to use scholarship to discuss politics, it is necessary to clearly explain the great achievements of socialism with Chinese characteristics through horizontal comparison. Comparison and differentiation are important methods for Marxism to understand things. “Only through comparison can there be differentiation. Only through differentiation and struggle can there be development.”[10]10 Mao Zedong. “Speech at the Chinese Communist Party’s National Conference on Propaganda Work.” *Selected Works of Mao Zedong*, Vol. 5. The quote is from a March 1957 speech emphasizing the role of comparison and struggle in ideological work.(P280) Through comparison and differentiation, one can recognize and identify developmental advantages, and continuously enhance political confidence. Since the founding of New China, especially over the more than 40 years of reform and opening up, the construction of socialism with Chinese characteristics has achieved remarkable accomplishments that have attracted worldwide attention. Compared with developed countries, in 2000, China’s total GDP ranked sixth in the world.[11]11 The text references a note marker [11] but provides no corresponding note content; it is retained as a citation placeholder.[12]12 The text references a note marker [12] but provides no corresponding note content; it is retained as a citation placeholder. According to statistics from the International Monetary Fund, in 2022, China’s total GDP reached 18.1 trillion US dollars, 4.3 times that of Japan, the world’s third-largest economy, and exceeded the sum of Japan, Germany, India, the United Kingdom, and France, as well as the total of 16.6 trillion US dollars for the 27 EU member states. The GDP gap between China and the most developed capitalist country, the United States, has been continuously narrowing, with China’s total GDP reaching 71.1% of that of the United States.[13]13 The text references a note marker [13] but provides no corresponding note content; it is retained as a citation placeholder. According to the World Bank’s 2022 global GDP comparison based on purchasing power parity, the purchasing power GDP of the United States was 25.5 trillion US dollars, while China’s purchasing power GDP reached 30.32 trillion US dollars,[14]14 The text references a note marker [14] but provides no corresponding note content; it is retained as a citation placeholder. exceeding that of the United States by nearly 5 trillion US dollars. China is also breaking through the blockade and sanctions imposed by the United States in high technology, with some high-tech enterprises achieving major breakthroughs in the research, development, and application of technologies such as 5G and chips. The gap in comprehensive national power and core competitiveness between China and the United States is narrowing. Compared with countries after the upheaval in Eastern Europe, China has achieved social long-term stability and rapid economic development, forming a stark contrast. At the beginning of reform and opening up, China’s starting point for economic development was not far from that of India, one of the largest developing countries. However, in 2022, calculated at the US dollar exchange rate, India’s total GDP was 3.38 trillion US dollars,[13]13 The text references a note marker [13] but provides no corresponding note content; it is retained as a citation placeholder. while China’s total GDP was already more than five times that of India. It can be seen that the great achievements of China’s reform and opening up over more than 40 years, with their unprecedented speed of development and immense global impact, have created a world miracle, profoundly changing and reshaping the world pattern.

思政课用学术讲政治，就要在横向比较中讲清楚中国特色社会主义取得的伟大成就。比较和鉴别是马克思主义认识事物的重要方法。“有比较才能鉴别。有鉴别，有斗争，才能发展。”[10](P280)通过比较和鉴别，才能认清认同发展优势，不断增强政治自信。新中国成立以来，特别是改革开放40多年来，中国特色社会主义建设取得了举世瞩目的伟大成就。与发达国家比较，2000年，中国GDP总量还处在世界第六位，[11] [12]据国际货币基金组织统计，2022年，中国GDP总量达到18.1万亿美元，是世界第三名日本的4.3倍，且超过日、德、印、英、法之和，以及欧盟27国16.6万亿美元的总量。中国同最发达资本主义国家美国的GDP差距不断缩小，中国GDP总量达到美国GDP总量的71.1%。[13]而按世界银行公布的2022年全球购买力平价GDP比较，美国的购买力GDP为25.5万亿美元，中国的购买力GDP达到了30.32万亿美元，[14]超过美国近5万亿美元。中国在高科技上也在打破美国的封锁与制裁，一些高科技企业在5G、芯片等技术研发与应用方面实现了巨大突破。中美之间的综合国力与核心竞争力差距正在缩小。同东欧剧变后的国家相比，中国取得了社会长期稳定和经济快速发展的成就，形成强烈反差。中国在改革开放初期同最大的发展中国家之一印度的经济发展的起点相差不大，而2022年，按美元汇率折算，印度的GDP总量为3.38万亿美元，[13]中国的GDP总量已是印度GDP总量的5倍多。可见，中国改革开放40多年来取得的伟大成就，其发展速度之快、全球影响之大，前所未有，创造了世界奇迹，深深地改变和重塑了世界格局。

For ideological and political courses to use scholarship to discuss politics, it is necessary to clearly explain to students the deep-seated reasons for the “China Miracle” through horizontal comparison. Regarding the great achievements China has made, ideological and political courses should not only enable students to “know what it is” but also “know why it is so.” It is necessary to clearly explain that the leadership of the Communist Party of China is the greatest advantage of the socialist system with Chinese characteristics, to clearly explain the superiority of the socialist system with Chinese characteristics, to clearly explain the scientific nature of the theory of socialism with Chinese characteristics, to clearly explain the advanced nature of the culture of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and to clearly explain that the path of Chinese-path modernization is the successful path to creating the “China Miracle” and realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Western countries implement capitalist systems, emphasizing the supremacy of capital. Capitalist modernization takes capital as its core, is dominated by capital, and serves the interests of capital. Politically, Western countries generally implement multi-party systems and parliamentary systems in their political systems and institutions. These systems played an important role during the historical rising period of capitalist development, but as Western countries have developed to a certain level, these political systems have, in a sense, become obstacles to the further development of Western societies. Internationally, the United States places its own interests above the interests of the people of the world everywhere, undermines world peace, engages in plunder through war, provokes the Russia-Ukraine war, and reaps maximum benefits. In the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, it favors Israel, interferes with, hinders, and undermines peace in the Middle East, turns a blind eye to Israel’s slaughter of Palestinians, and the Western-style freedom, democracy, and human rights have become a “laughingstock.” Economically, the United States triggered the most severe world economic crisis since the war, and continuously shifts the crisis, leading to a sustained global economic recession, exacerbating social polarization, and seriously affecting social stability. In comparison, China has not only created a world miracle of long-term social stability and rapid economic development but also actively maintains world peace, promotes win-win cooperation, and promotes the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. According to World Bank calculations, from 2013 to 2021, China’s average contribution rate to world economic growth reached 38.6%, far exceeding the total contribution rate of 25.7% from the Group of Seven (G7) countries to world economic growth during the same period.[15]15 The text references a note marker [15] but provides no corresponding note content; it is retained as a citation placeholder. “China’s governance” and “Western chaos,” “China’s contribution” and “America’s destruction” form a sharp contrast. Only by adhering to dialectical materialism and historical materialism, through in-depth factual comparison and logical analysis, clearly explaining the deep-seated reasons behind various major phenomena in the comparison between China and the West, and clearly explaining the path exploration, theoretical guidance, and institutional mysteries of China’s development, can ideological and political courses discuss politics with the height of the times, the depth of thought, and the warmth of emotion, thereby enhancing students’ confidence in the path, confidence in the theory, confidence in the system, and confidence in the culture through horizontal comparison, and further strengthening students’ confidence in China.

思政课用学术讲政治，就要在横向对比之中向学生讲清楚“中国奇迹”的深层原因。对于中国取得的伟大成就，思政课不仅要让学生“知其然”，更要“知其所以然”。要讲清楚中国共产党的领导是中国特色社会主义制度的最大优势，讲清楚中国特色社会主义制度的优越性，讲清楚中国特色社会主义理论的科学性，讲清楚中国特色社会主义文化的先进性，讲清楚中国式现代化道路是创造“中国奇迹”、实现中华民族伟大复兴的成功之路。西方国家实行资本主义制度，注重资本至上，资本主义现代化以资本为核心，受到资本支配，为资本利益服务。政治上，西方国家在政治体制和制度上普遍实行多党制、议会制，这些制度在资本主义发展的历史上升期曾发挥了重要作用，但随着西方国家发展到一定水平，这些政治制度某种意义上已成为西方社会进一步发展的阻碍因素。在国际上，美国处处把本国利益凌驾于世界人民利益之上，破坏世界和平，通过战争实行掠夺，挑起俄乌战争，攫取最大利益。在巴以冲突中偏袒以色列，干扰、阻碍和破坏中东和平，对以色列屠杀巴勒斯坦人视而不见，西式的自由民主人权沦为“笑柄”。经济上，美国引发了战后最严重的世界经济危机，并不断转嫁危机，导致世界经济持续衰退，加剧社会两极分化，严重影响社会稳定。比较而言，中国不仅创造了社会长期稳定、经济快速发展的世界奇迹，还积极维护世界和平，促进合作共赢，推动构建人类命运共同体。根据世界银行测算，2013年至2021年，中国对世界经济增长的平均贡献率达到了38.6%，远超同期七国集团（G7）国家对世界经济增长25.7%的贡献率总和。[15]“中国之治”与“西方之乱”、“中国贡献”与“美国破坏”形成了鲜明对比。思政课只有坚持唯物辩证法和历史唯物论，通过深入的事实比较和逻辑分析，讲清楚中西对比中各种重大现象背后的深层原因，讲清中国发展的道路探索、理论指导和制度奥秘，才能把政治讲出时代的高度、思想的深度和情感的温度，在横向比较中增强学生的道路自信、理论自信、制度自信和文化自信，进一步坚定学生的中国自信。

3. Deepening Political Identity in Historical Development

3. 在历史发展中深化政治认同

To use scholarship to discuss politics, implement the fundamental task of fostering virtue through education, and solidify the ideals and beliefs of the new generation, it is also necessary to apply the theory and methods of Marxist historical materialism, stand at the height of China’s grand historical development, combine it with the more than one hundred years of struggle history of the Communist Party of China, adopt the scientific method of historical development and vertical comparison, and clearly explain the great achievements and historical contributions of the Party’s more than one hundred years of struggle, enabling students to continuously deepen their political identity while perceiving historical development and changes of the times.

用学术讲政治，落实立德树人根本任务，筑牢时代新人理想信念，还要运用马克思主义唯物史观的理论和方法，站在中国发展大历史的高度，结合中国共产党的百余年奋斗史，采用历史发展和纵向比较的科学方法，讲清楚党的百余年奋斗伟大成就和历史贡献，使得学生在感悟历史发展和时代变迁中不断深化政治认同。

History is the best textbook. From the perspective of China’s grand historical development, a history of modern China is a history of China gradually degenerating into a semi-colonial and semi-feudal society, a history of batches of people with lofty ideals striving for national salvation and survival. After the founding of the Communist Party of China, it combined the universal truth of Marxism with China’s specific realities, led and united the people to explore a unique path for China’s revolution, construction, reform, and development, ushering in a great leap from standing up, growing rich, to becoming strong. Since the leadership of the Communist Party of China, China’s appearance has taken on a completely new look. History tells us that without the Communist Party, there would be no New China, without the Communist Party, there would be no socialism, without the Communist Party, there would be no Chinese-path modernization, and without the Communist Party, it would be impossible to advance and realize the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. To teach ideological and political courses well, it is necessary, under the guidance of historical materialism, to clearly explain the magnificent historical practice.

历史是最好的教科书。从中国发展的大历史来看，一部中国近代史，就是一部中国逐渐沦为半殖民地半封建社会的历史，就是一批批仁人志士救亡图存的历史。中国共产党成立后，把马克思主义的普遍真理同中国具体实际相结合，领导和团结人民探索中国革命、建设、改革和发展的独特道路，迎来了从站起来、富起来到强起来的伟大飞跃。自从有了中国共产党的领导，中国的面貌焕然一新。历史告诉我们，没有共产党就没有新中国，没有共产党就没有社会主义，没有共产党就没有中国式现代化，没有共产党就不可能推进和实现中华民族伟大复兴。讲好思政课，要在唯物史观的指导下讲清楚波澜壮阔的历史实践。

Historical development endows political identity with a deep foundation. “Over the past century, the Party has always fulfilled its original aspiration and founding mission, uniting and leading the people of all ethnic groups across the country to paint a magnificent picture in the history of human development, and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation has shown unprecedented bright prospects.”[7]7 This is a reference to the “Two Integrations” (两个结合), a key theoretical formulation by Xi Jinping: integrating the basic principles of Marxism with China’s specific realities, and with the fine traditional Chinese culture.(P62) The Party’s century-long struggle has fundamentally changed the destiny of the Chinese people, opened up the correct path to realize the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, demonstrated the powerful vitality of Marxism, the historical initiative of the Communist Party of China, and the great creativity of the Chinese people, and profoundly influenced the course of world history. This is the source for students to form a high degree of political identity. For ideological and political courses to use scholarship to discuss politics, it is necessary to adhere to historical materialism, closely integrate it with modern Chinese history, with the history of the Party, the history of New China, the history of reform and opening up, and the history of socialist development, use objective and conclusive historical facts, clearly explain the historical practice of the Communist Party of China seeking happiness for the people, rejuvenation for the nation, and common good for the world, clearly explain the great achievements and historical significance of the Party’s more than one hundred years of struggle, and clearly explain that the leadership of the Communist Party of China and the socialist path are the inevitable choices of history and the people. Only in this way can students build a bridge of thought between history, reality, and the future, continuously deepen their political identity with the leadership of the Communist Party of China, their political identity with the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, their political identity with Chinese-path modernization, and their political identity with the mission and responsibility of realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, unswervingly support the leadership of the Communist Party of China and the socialist system with Chinese characteristics, unite and gather more closely around the Communist Party of China, and strive unremittingly for advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through Chinese-path modernization on the new journey of the New Era!

历史发展赋予政治认同以深厚根基。“一百年来，党始终践行初心使命，团结带领全国各族人民绘就了人类发展史上的壮美画卷，中华民族伟大复兴展现出前所未有的光明前景。”[7](P62)党的百年奋斗从根本上改变了中国人民的前途命运，开辟了实现中华民族伟大复兴的正确道路，展示了马克思主义的强大生命力、中国共产党的历史主动性和中国人民的伟大创造力，深刻影响了世界历史进程，这是学生形成高度政治认同的源泉。思政课用学术讲政治，就要坚持唯物史观，紧密结合中国近现代史，结合党史、新中国史、改革开放史和社会主义发展史，运用客观确凿的历史事实，讲清楚中国共产党为人民谋幸福、为民族谋复兴、为世界谋大同的历史实践，讲清楚中国共产党百余年奋斗的伟大成就和历史意义，讲清楚中国共产党的领导和社会主义道路是历史和人民的必然选择。只有这样，才能使学生在历史、现实与未来之间架起思想的桥梁，不断深化其对中国共产党领导的政治认同，对中国特色社会主义道路的政治认同，对中国式现代化的政治认同，对实现中华民族伟大复兴使命担当的政治认同，坚定不移地拥护中国共产党的领导和中国特色社会主义制度，更加紧密地团结凝聚在中国共产党的周围，为新时代新征程以中国式现代化推进中华民族伟大复兴而不懈奋斗！

(Author bios: Luo Yuting, Dean of the Institute of Ideological and Political Education at Wuhan University, Professor and Doctoral Supervisor at the School of Marxism; Liu Hongchang, Doctoral Candidate at the School of Marxism, Wuhan University)

（作者简介：骆郁廷，武汉大学思想政治教育研究院院长，马克思主义学院教授、博士生导师；刘鸿畅，武汉大学马克思主义学院博士研究生）

Online editor: Tongxin

网络编辑：同心