On the Fourfold Logic of the Emergence of the Leading Force of Ideological and Political Education

In September 2024, General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out at the National Education Conference: “The education powerhouse we aim to build is a socialist education powerhouse with Chinese characteristics, which should possess a strong leading force of ideological and political education, talent competitiveness, scientific and technological support, livelihood security, social synergy, and international influence.” [1]1 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the National Education Conference,” *People's Daily*, September 11, 2024. As the primary characteristic of an education powerhouse, the proposal of the leading force of ideological and political education contains a profound logic of emergence. To advance theoretical research and practical construction of the leading force of ideological and political education, it is urgently necessary to deeply grasp the scientific nature, rationality, and inevitability of its proposal from multiple dimensions such as disciplinary logic, theoretical logic, historical logic, and practical logic, and to profoundly interpret the principles, theories, and philosophies embedded in this iconic concept.

2024年9月，习近平总书记在全国教育大会上指出：“我们要建成的教育强国，是中国特色社会主义教育强国，应当具有强大的思政引领力、人才竞争力、科技支撑力、民生保障力、社会协同力、国际影响力。”思政引领力作为教育强国的首要特质，它的提出内蕴着深刻的出场逻辑。推进对思政引领力的理论研究和实践建设，迫切需要从学科逻辑、理论逻辑、历史逻辑、现实逻辑等多重维度，深刻把握其提出的科学性、合理性与必然性，深度解读这一标识性概念蕴含的道理学理哲理。

I. The Leading Force of Ideological and Political Education Is an Iconic Concept Inevitably Formed in the Development of the Discipline of Ideological and Political Education

一、思政引领力是思想政治教育学科发展必然形成的标识性概念

The “ideological and political education” in the leading force of ideological and political education refers to ideological and political education or ideological and political work. The proposal of the concept of the leading force of ideological and political education is an iconic concept formed in the long-term development of the discipline of ideological and political education. It centrally reflects the high degree of self-awareness in the logical evolution of disciplinary theory and knowledge production, marking a paradigm shift in disciplinary development from knowledge accumulation to theoretical innovation. For such a concept with distinct innovation and contemporaneity, it should be examined and grasped from the perspective of the discipline of ideological and political education. In a disciplinary sense, the leading force of ideological and political education is an iconic concept for constructing an independent knowledge system of the discipline of ideological and political education. It has both its authoritative source and basis, as well as the origins of the evolution and development of disciplinary theory, reflecting the awakening of the discipline’s subjectivity in the construction of its conceptual system.

思政引领力中的“思政”，即为思想政治教育或思想政治工作。思政引领力这一概念的提出，是思想政治教育学科在长期发展过程中形成的标识性概念，集中反映了学科理论逻辑演进与知识生产的高度自觉，标志着学科发展从知识积累向理论创新跃升的范式转型。对于思政引领力这样一个具有鲜明创新性、时代性的概念表达，理应从思想政治教育学科视野予以审视和把握。从学科意义上讲，思政引领力是构建思想政治教育学科自主知识体系的标识性概念，既有其权威出处和依据，也有学科理论演进发展的渊源，体现了学科在概念体系建构上的主体性觉醒。

1. The Leading Force of Ideological and Political Education Is an Iconic Concept for Constructing an Independent Knowledge System of the Discipline of Ideological and Political Education

1. 思政引领力是构建思想政治教育学科自主知识体系的标识性概念

Contemporary China is undergoing extensive and profound social changes, providing broad space for the flourishing development of philosophy and social sciences. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: “Accelerating the construction of philosophy and social sciences with Chinese characteristics ultimately lies in constructing China’s independent knowledge system.” [2]2 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the Symposium on Philosophy and Social Sciences,” *People's Daily*, May 18, 2016. As an important component of the socialist disciplinary system with Chinese characteristics, the discipline of ideological and political education, after 40 years of exploration and accumulation, has formed a relatively complete theoretical framework and practical system. However, in the New Era, it still needs to take the refinement of iconic concepts as a breakthrough to promote the discipline from “scale expansion” to “connotation-based development.” Concepts, as the cornerstone of the knowledge system, have a degree of maturity that marks the level of disciplinary development. The primary task of constructing an independent knowledge system for the discipline of ideological and political education is to refine iconic concepts with Chinese characteristics, the characteristics of the times, and disciplinary features. The proposal of the leading force of ideological and political education is precisely a concentrated manifestation of the self-awareness of the discipline of ideological and political education.

当代中国正经历着广泛而深刻的社会变革，为哲学社会科学繁荣发展提供了广阔空间。习近平总书记指出：“加快构建中国特色哲学社会科学，归根结底是建构中国自主的知识体系。”作为中国特色社会主义学科体系的重要组成部分，思想政治教育学科历经40年的探索与积淀，已形成相对完整的理论框架与实践体系，但在新时代仍需要以标识性概念的提炼为突破口，推动学科从“规模拓展”走向“内涵式发展”。概念作为知识体系的基石，其成熟程度标志着学科的发展水平。构建思想政治教育学科自主知识体系，首要任务在于提炼具有中国特色、时代特质与学科特性的标识性概念。思政引领力的提出，正是思想政治教育学科自觉的集中体现。

The disciplinary implications of the iconic concept of the leading force of ideological and political education can be grasped from the following three dimensions: First, adhering to the essential disciplinary stipulations. The leading force of ideological and political education is by no means a simple summary of work terminology but is deeply rooted in the theoretical genes of the discipline of ideological and political education. To examine it within the disciplinary knowledge system, it is necessary to clarify the logical relationship between the leading force of ideological and political education and the existing conceptual categories of ideological and political education, and to define its unique connotation as a core disciplinary concept. The leading force of ideological and political education is neither a concrete expression of empirical description nor a simple translation of policy discourse, but a theoretical expression of the essential attributes of the discipline of ideological and political education, highlighting disciplinary functions such as value guidance, direction leadership, and consensus cohesion. Second, manifesting the original theoretical character. The proposal of the leading force of ideological and political education transcends both the value-neutral educational narrative in the Western discourse system and the flat description of educational phenomena by traditional disciplinary concepts. This concept, grounded in Marxist theory and deeply integrating the practical wisdom of the CPC’s ideological and political work over more than a century, not only adheres to the value stance of unifying Party spirit and people-centeredness but also responds to the contemporary challenge of constructing a leading force under the impact of diverse social trends. It is a Chinese independent concept with both theoretical originality and practical explanatory power, reflecting the theoretical subjectivity of the discipline of ideological and political education in the New Era. Third, strengthening the positioning of an iconic disciplinary concept. To a certain extent, the leading force of ideological and political education reveals the mission, responsibility, and value pursuit of ideological and political education, and reveals the inherent laws of ideological and political education. Among the many concepts of the discipline of ideological and political education, it has a certain overarching nature and should be regarded as an iconic disciplinary concept. To promote the construction and theoretical innovation of the discipline of ideological and political education, it is necessary to strengthen the refinement and interpretation of iconic disciplinary concepts, form a systematic group of disciplinary concepts, and then use iconic concepts as a driving force to promote the development of disciplinary theory.

对于思政引领力这一标识性概念的学科蕴涵，可从以下三个维度予以把握：一是坚守学科本质性规定。思政引领力绝非工作术语的简单概括，而是深植于思想政治教育学科的理论基因之中。将其置于学科知识体系中考察，需要厘清思政引领力与思想政治教育既有概念范畴的逻辑关联，明确其作为学科核心概念的独特内涵。思政引领力既非经验描述的具象化表达，也非政策话语的简单转译，而是对思想政治教育学科本质属性的理论表达，彰显了价值引导、方向引领、共识凝聚等学科功能。二是彰显原创性理论品格。思政引领力的提出，既超越了西方话语体系中价值中立的教育叙事，也突破了传统学科概念对教育现象的平面化描述。这一概念是以马克思主义理论为底色，深度融合中国共产党百余年思想政治工作的实践智慧，既坚持党性与人民性相统一的价值立场，又回应多元社会思潮冲击下引领力建构的时代难题，是兼具理论原创性与实践解释力的中国自主性概念，体现了新时代思想政治教育学科的理论主体性。三是强化标识性学科概念定位。思政引领力在一定意义上揭示了思想政治教育的使命担当与价值追求，揭示了思想政治教育的内在规律，在思想政治教育学科众多概念中具有一定的统摄性，理应作为学科标识性概念。推进思想政治教育学科建设与理论创新，应强化对学科标识性概念的提炼与阐释，形成体系化的学科概念群，进而以标识性概念为牵引推动学科理论发展。

2. The Proposal of the Concept of the Leading Force of Ideological and Political Education Has Authoritative Disciplinary Basis

2. 思政引领力概念的提出有学科意义上的权威依据

The proposal of the leading force of ideological and political education is not only inseparable from specific contemporary conditions and the foundation of disciplinary development but also has undergone long-term theoretical and practical exploration by the CPC, reflecting the dialectical unity of historical inheritance and theoretical innovation. It has its authoritative basis in important Party documents. Before the proposal of the leading force of ideological and political education, there were already some related expressions in important Party documents. Sorting out these discussions can roughly reflect the evolutionary process of the concept of the leading force of ideological and political education.

思政引领力的提出，不仅离不开特定的时代条件与学科发展底蕴，还历经中国共产党长期的理论和实践探索，体现出历史继承与理论创新的辩证统一，在党的重要文献中有其权威依据。在提出思政引领力之前，党的重要文献中已有一些相关的表述，梳理这些论述可大致反映思政引领力概念的演进历程。

First, the formal expression of “ideological and political education.” For a long time, “ideological and political education” has been a colloquial abbreviation for concepts such as ideological and political work, ideological and political education, ideological and theoretical education, ideological and moral education, and ideological and political theory. It was rarely used in written expressions and formal occasions. In 2019, at the symposium for teachers of ideological and political theory courses in schools, General Secretary Xi Jinping first proposed the standardized abbreviation “ideological and political theory course,” emphasizing that the ideological and political theory course is a key course for implementing the fundamental task of fostering virtue through education. [3]3 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the Symposium for Teachers of Ideological and Political Theory Courses in Schools,” *People's Daily*, March 19, 2019. Before this, for university ideological and political theory courses, the term “ideological and political theory courses in higher education” was used, and for primary and secondary school ideological and political theory courses, the term “ideological and political courses” was used, with subtle distinctions and differences. General Secretary Xi Jinping unified them under the term “ideological and political theory course,” effectively bridging this distinction, achieving the unification of the discourse system, laying the conceptual foundation for promoting the integrated construction of ideological and political theory courses in universities, middle schools, and primary schools, and elevating “ideological and political education” from everyday language to a standardized academic concept and disciplinary discourse.

一是关于“思政”的正式表达。长期以来，“思政”是人们对思想政治工作、思想政治教育、思想理论教育、思想道德教育、思想政治理论等概念的口语化简称，在书面表达和正式场合中较少使用。2019年在学校思想政治理论课教师座谈会上，习近平总书记首次提出“思政课”这一规范简称，强调思政课是落实立德树人根本任务的关键课程。在这之前，对大学思政课，提的是高校思想政治理论课，对中小学思政课，提的是思想政治课，二者有细微区分和差异性。习近平总书记将其统称为“思政课”，很好地弥合了这种区分，实现了话语体系的统一，为推进大中小学思政课一体化建设奠定了概念基础，推动“思政”从日常用语跃升为规范性的学术概念和学科话语。

Second, approximate expressions of “the leading force of ideological and political education.” The report of the 19th National Congress of the CPC proposed “continuously strengthening the Party’s political leadership, thought-leading force, mass-organizing force, and social-mobilizing force.” [4]4 Xi Jinping, “Secure a Decisive Victory in Building a Moderately Prosperous Society in All Respects and Strive for the Great Success of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era,” report to the 19th National Congress of the CPC, October 18, 2017. Among them, the expression “thought-leading force” is closest to “the leading force of ideological and political education.” Subsequently, General Secretary Xi Jinping used this concept multiple times when discussing ideological and cultural construction. For example, when deploying the construction of a cultural powerhouse at the 17th collective study session of the Political Bureau of the 20th Central Committee, he pointed out: “Continuously develop socialist culture with Chinese characteristics for a New Era that possesses a strong thought-leading force, spiritual cohesion, value appeal, and international influence.” [5]5 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the 17th Collective Study Session of the Political Bureau of the 20th Central Committee,” *People's Daily*, October 29, 2024. The manifestation of the thought-leading force mainly relies on theoretical armament, cultural construction, ideological and political work, etc. The report of the 20th National Congress of the CPC proposed “building a socialist ideology with strong cohesion and leading force,” [6]6 Xi Jinping, “Hold High the Great Banner of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics and Strive in Unity to Build a Modern Socialist Country in All Respects,” report to the 20th National Congress of the CPC, October 16, 2022. which essentially addresses the issue of the leading force of ideological and political education. These discussions laid the necessary groundwork for the proposal of “the leading force of ideological and political education” and consolidated its political legitimacy.

二是关于“思政引领力”的近似表达。党的十九大报告提出“不断增强党的政治领导力、思想引领力、群众组织力、社会号召力”。其中，“思想引领力”的表述与“思政引领力”最为接近。此后，习近平总书记在论述思想文化建设时多次使用这一概念，比如在二十届中央政治局第十七次集体学习部署文化强国建设时指出：“不断发展具有强大思想引领力、精神凝聚力、价值感召力、国际影响力的新时代中国特色社会主义文化。”思想引领力的彰显主要借助理论武装、文化建设、思想政治工作等。党的二十大报告提出“建设具有强大凝聚力和引领力的社会主义意识形态”，本质上讲的就是思政引领力的问题。这些论述为提出“思政引领力”做了必要的铺垫，夯实了政治合法性基础。

Third, the question of the cognitive positioning of “ideological and political education” in educational development. In December 2016, at the National Conference on Ideological and Political Work in Colleges and Universities, General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out that it is necessary to adhere to taking fostering virtue and nurturing talent as the central link and to run ideological and political work through the entire process of education and teaching. This statement clearly reflects the core position of ideological and political education in the overall educational landscape, emphasizing the achievement of educational goals through value guidance. At the National Education Conference held in September 2024, General Secretary Xi Jinping put forward the concept of the “ideological and political leading force” and made it the primary characteristic of a socialist education powerhouse with Chinese characteristics, highlighting the special status and mission of ideological and political education in building an education powerhouse. The proposal of the “ideological and political leading force” is an inevitable product of the synchronous advancement of the disciplinary development of ideological and political education and the Party’s theoretical innovation, marking that the Party’s theory of ideological and political education has reached a new height and reflecting a profound grasp of the laws of ideological and political work. Proposing this concept and proposition is not only an inheritance and development of traditional theories of ideological and political education but also a strategic deployment for ideological and political education work in the New Era, providing directional guidance and fundamental principles for the innovative development of ideological and political education in the New Era.

三是关于“思政”在教育发展中的认识定位问题。2016年12月，习近平总书记在全国高校思想政治工作会议上指出，要坚持把立德树人作为中心环节，将思想政治工作贯穿教育教学的全过程。这一论述鲜明地体现出思想政治教育在教育全局中的核心地位，强调通过价值引领实现育人目标。在2024年9月召开的全国教育大会上，习近平总书记提出“思政引领力”概念，并将其作为中国特色社会主义教育强国的首要特质，凸显了思想政治教育在教育强国建设中的特殊地位和使命担当。“思政引领力”的提出，是思想政治教育学科发展与党的理论创新同步推进的必然产物，标志着党的思想政治教育理论达到了新的高度，体现了对思想政治工作规律的深刻把握。提出这一概念和命题，不仅是对传统思想政治教育理论的继承和发展，更是对新时代思想政治教育工作的战略部署，为新时代思想政治教育创新发展提供了方向指引和根本遵循。

3. The ideological and political leading force is a contemporary expression of the theoretical research and interpretation of the discipline of ideological and political education

3. 思政引领力是思想政治教育学科理论研究阐释的时代化表达

The discipline of ideological and political education has gone through a development history of 40 years. Reviewing the history of the discipline’s development, it is not difficult to find that the theoretical innovation of the discipline of ideological and political education always accompanies practical development, reflecting the evolutionary law of “practice first—theoretical refinement—concept sublimation” and revealing the objective reality that disciplinary theories and concepts are rooted in practice. As a signature concept in the development of the discipline of ideological and political education, the ideological and political leading force has also undergone a process of theoretical research and exploration. Before the formal proposal of this concept, the academic community of ideological and political education carried out relevant research and exploration, mainly reflected in three aspects: First, the proposal of the “leading force of ideological and political education.” Wang Shimin and Jin Jiao are among the earliest scholars in China to discuss the “leading force of ideological and political education,” defining it as “the educational force by which ideological and political education uses the Party’s concepts and moral norms of the class it represents to exert ideological and political leadership over all members of society, enabling them to form ideological and moral qualities that meet the requirements of that class.” [7]7 Wang Shimin, Jin Jiao: “On the Leading Force of Ideological and Political Education,” in *Ideological and Political Education Research*, 2017, no. 2. Although this study did not directly use the term “ideological and political leading force” and did not analyze it in the context of an education powerhouse, its definition of the connotation based on the essential attributes of the discipline essentially constitutes the early theoretical form of the “ideological and political leading force,” preliminarily establishing the core meaning of this category. Second, research and discussion on the Party’s ideological leading force. For example, some scholars have proposed that the Party’s ideological leading force in the New Era includes ideological creativity, ideological dissemination capacity, ideological guidance capacity, and ideological transformation capacity; other scholars have analyzed the internal logic and great significance of the construction of the Chinese Communist Party’s ideological leading force in the New Era. Third, exploration of the leading issue in the practice of ideological and political education. For instance, some scholars have explored the value-leading function of the discipline of ideological and political education, proposing that “value leadership” is a distinctive marker of the discipline; other scholars have suggested that the discipline of ideological and political education should focus on “carrying out ‘leading’ activities on people’s values,” revealing the theoretical implications of value leadership, which is of great significance for constructing the independent knowledge system of the discipline of ideological and political education. In short, relevant research has provided sufficient theoretical preparation for the proposal of the ideological and political leading force, making the concept of the ideological and political leading force ready to emerge.

思想政治教育学科已经走过了40年的发展历程。回顾学科的发展历史不难发现，思想政治教育学科的理论创新总是与实践发展相伴相随，体现出“实践先行—理论提炼—概念升华”的演进规律，反映出学科理论、概念扎根实践的客观实际。思政引领力作为思想政治教育学科发展的一个标识性概念，也经历了一个理论研究和探索的过程。在该概念正式提出前，思想政治教育学界开展了相关的研究和探索，这主要体现在三个方面：一是提出“思想政治教育引领力”。王仕民、金娇是国内较早论述“思想政治教育引领力”的学者，将“思想政治教育引领力”界定为“思想政治教育用其所代表阶级的政党理念、道德规范对全体社会成员施以思想政治引领，使其形成符合该阶级所要求的思想品德的教育力量”。尽管该研究未直接使用“思政引领力”，也没有将思政引领力置于教育强国的背景下分析，但其从学科本质属性出发的内涵界定，实质构成了“思政引领力”的早期理论形态，初步确立了该范畴的核心意涵。二是研究和探讨党的思想引领力。如有学者提出新时代党的思想引领力包括思想创造力、思想传播力、思想疏导力和思想转化力；也有学者分析新时代中国共产党思想引领力建设的内在逻辑及其重大意义。三是探讨思想政治教育实践中的引领问题。如有学者探究思想政治教育学科的价值引领功能，提出“价值引领”是思想政治教育学科的鲜明标识；也有学者提出思想政治教育学科要注重“对人的价值观展开‘引领’活动”，揭示价值引领的理论意蕴，对于建构思想政治教育学科自主知识体系具有重要意义。总之，相关研究为思政引领力的提出作了充分的理论准备，使思政引领力的概念呼之欲出。

II. The proposal of the ideological and political leading force is established on the solid theoretical foundation of the basic principles of Marxism

二、思政引领力的提出奠立于马克思主义基本原理的科学理论基石之上

A solid theoretical foundation is not only a prerequisite for the emergence of ideological theory but also a support for its sustained development. Whether a concept or category can become a core category or signature concept of a discipline depends importantly on whether it has a solid theoretical foundation and whether it can achieve something at the theoretical level. The proposal of the concept of the ideological and political leading force is guided by Marxism and is established on the theoretical foundations of the basic principles of Marxism, including the principle of the dialectical unity of social being and social consciousness, the Marxist theory of inculcation, and the theories of human essence and the free and comprehensive development of humanity.

坚实的理论根基不仅是思想理论产生的前提，也是其持续发展的支撑。一个概念、范畴能否成为学科核心范畴或标识性概念，一个重要的方面在于其是否具备坚实的理论基础，能否在学理层面有所建树。思政引领力概念的提出，以马克思主义为指导，奠立于马克思主义基本原理中社会存在和社会意识辩证统一原理、马克思主义灌输论、人的本质和人的自由全面发展理论等理论基石之上。

1. The principle of the dialectical unity of social being and social consciousness lays the philosophical foundation for the proposal of the ideological and political leading force

1. 社会存在和社会意识辩证统一的原理奠定了思政引领力提出的哲学基础

The proposal of the ideological and political leading force has a profound philosophical foundation, and its theoretical core originates from the Marxist principle of the dialectical relationship between social being and social consciousness, and between the economic base and the superstructure. According to the Marxist historical materialist view, social being determines social consciousness, and the economic base determines the superstructure. At the same time, social consciousness inevitably reacts upon social being; advanced social consciousness leads social development, while backward social consciousness hinders social development. The superstructure also has a reactionary effect on the economic base; when the superstructure is compatible with the economic base, it can promote social development, and conversely, it can have a hindering effect. What kind of social consciousness a society forms is ultimately determined by social being, but social consciousness is not entirely passive or determined; advanced social consciousness can transcend specific social being and lead social development. Changes in the superstructure can also promote social development and progress. Over a hundred years ago, in old China, which was a semi-colonial and semi-feudal society, Marxism was introduced to China as an advanced ideological theory and guided the Chinese people to successfully carry out the New Democratic Revolution, profoundly changing the fate of the Chinese people and the Chinese nation—this is a vivid example. The great discussion on the criterion of truth in the early period of reform and opening up played an ideological leading role in the advancement of reform and opening up and the construction of socialism with Chinese characteristics. The proposal of the concept of the ideological and political leading force is precisely based on the inherent leading force attribute of ideological and political education. The reason why ideological and political education has a leading force and can generate a leading force is, in the sense of the basic principles of Marxism, that it conforms to the principle of the dialectical relationship between social being and social consciousness, and between the economic base and the superstructure in historical materialism. For different forms of ideological and political education, there is no question of whether there is an ideological and political leading force; there is only a difference in what kind of ideological and political leading force exists and how much ideological and political leading force can be exerted.

思政引领力的提出具有深刻的哲学基础，其理论内核源于马克思主义关于社会存在与社会意识、经济基础与上层建筑的辩证关系原理。依据马克思主义唯物史观，社会存在决定社会意识，经济基础决定上层建筑。同时，社会意识必然反作用于社会存在，先进的社会意识引领社会发展，落后的社会意识则阻碍社会发展。上层建筑对经济基础同样具有反作用，当上层建筑与经济基础相适应时，能够推动社会发展，反之则会产生阻碍作用。一个社会形成什么样的社会意识，归根结底是由社会存在决定的，但社会意识并不是完全被动的、被决定的，先进的社会意识可超越特定的社会存在而引领社会发展。上层建筑的变革也会推动社会发展进步。一百多年前，在半殖民地半封建社会的旧中国，马克思主义作为先进的思想理论传入中国，并指导中国人民成功进行新民主主义革命，深刻地改变了中国人民、中华民族的命运，就是鲜活的例证。改革开放初期关于真理标准的大讨论，对于改革开放的推进和中国特色社会主义建设发挥了思想引领作用。思政引领力概念的提出，正是基于思想政治教育内蕴的引领力属性。思想政治教育之所以有引领力，之所以会产生引领力，从马克思主义基本原理的意义上讲，它符合唯物史观关于社会存在与社会意识、经济基础与上层建筑的辩证关系原理。不同形态的思想政治教育，不存在有无思政引领力的问题，只存在有什么样的思政引领力，能发挥多大思政引领力的差异。

2. The Marxist theory of inculcation provides methodological support for the proposal of the ideological and political leading force

2. 马克思主义灌输论为思政引领力的提出提供了方法论支撑

Marxist inoculation theory, as an important component of the Marxist theoretical system, provides the proletariat with a pathway for disseminating scientific socialist ideas and a method for cultivating socialist consciousness. This theory is not only an ideological weapon for the proletarian revolution but also emphasizes the guiding role of theory in practice, offering important methodological support for the formation and development of the ideological and political leading force. Since the second half of the 18th century, with the rapid development of capitalism, the proletariat gradually formed and grew as an inevitable product of capitalism. To resist capitalist exploitation and the unequal social system, workers’ movements gradually emerged in countries such as England and France. However, due to the lack of guidance from scientific theory and effective organization, most ended in failure. Marx recognized that for the proletariat to achieve universal emancipation, revolutionary fervor and spontaneous struggle alone were insufficient; guidance from scientific theory was also necessary. Therefore, on the basis of criticizing old philosophy, Marx pointed out: “Philosophy is the head of this emancipation and the proletariat is its heart.” [8]8 Karl Marx, “A Contribution to the Critique of Hegel’s Philosophy of Right: Introduction,” in *Marx and Engels Collected Works*, vol. 3 (Moscow: Progress Publishers, 1975), p. 187. The original quotation reads: “The head of this emancipation is philosophy, its heart is the proletariat.” This emphasizes from a philosophical perspective that only by arming itself with Marxist theory can the proletariat transform its numerical advantage into a dominant force. On the basis of inheriting and developing Marxist theory, Lenin further proposed: “The workers, by themselves, are not capable of developing a Social-Democratic consciousness. This consciousness can only be brought to them from without. The history of all countries shows that the working class, exclusively by its own effort, is able to develop only trade union consciousness.” [9]9 V. I. Lenin, *What Is to Be Done?* (1902), in *Lenin Collected Works*, vol. 5 (Moscow: Progress Publishers, 1964), p. 375. This “inoculation” is not a coercive, mechanical “force-feeding” education, but rather, based on rational thought and practical experience, it transmits advanced ideological theory to the working class through scientific methods and means, guiding the working class to transform from spontaneous economic struggle to conscious political struggle. Marxist inoculation theory provides important guidance for the theoretical development and practical development of ideological and political education. On the new journey of the New Era, whether it is building a strong educational country or achieving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, ideological and theoretical leadership is of paramount importance. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out at the School Ideological and Political Theory Course Teacher Symposium that ideological and political courses should “uphold the unity of inoculation and inspiration,” and that “to enable students to accept Marxism, necessary inoculation is indispensable, but this does not mean engaging in force-feeding ‘hard inoculation.’ Attention should be paid to heuristic education, guiding students to discover problems, analyze problems, and think about problems.” Upholding the unity of inoculation and inspiration not only ensures the effective transmission of advanced ideas but also fully respects the subject status of the educated, achieving the unity of teaching and learning in the educational process. This not only provides scientific guidance for the construction of ideological and political courses but also offers important methodological insights for exerting the ideological and political leading force in building a strong educational country.

马克思主义灌输论作为马克思主义理论体系的重要组成部分，为无产阶级提供了科学社会主义思想的传播路径和社会主义意识的培育方法。这一理论不仅是无产阶级革命的思想武器，还强调了理论对实践的指导作用，为思政引领力的形成和发展提供了重要的方法论支撑。18世纪下半叶以来，随着资本主义迅速发展，无产阶级作为资本主义的必然产物逐渐形成并壮大。为了反抗资本主义剥削和不平等的社会制度，工人运动在英法等国逐渐兴起。但由于缺乏科学理论的指导和有效的组织，大多以失败告终。马克思认识到，无产阶级要想实现普遍解放，仅靠革命热情和自发斗争是不够的，还需要科学理论的指导。因此，马克思在批判旧哲学的基础上指出：“哲学把无产阶级当作自己的物质武器，同样，无产阶级也把哲学当作自己的精神武器。”这从哲学角度强调无产阶级只有通过马克思主义理论武装，才能将数量优势转化为主导力量。列宁在继承和发展马克思主义理论的基础上进一步提出：“工人本来也不可能有社会民主主义的意识。这种意识只能从外面灌输进去，各国的历史都证明：工人阶级单靠自己本身的力量，只能形成工联主义的意识。”这种“灌输”并非强制的、机械的“填鸭式”教育，而是基于理性思考和实践经验，通过科学的方式方法，将先进的思想理论传递给工人阶级，引导工人阶级从自发的经济斗争向自觉的政治斗争转变。马克思主义灌输论为思想政治教育理论发展和实践发展提供了重要指导。新时代新征程，无论是建设教育强国，还是实现中华民族伟大复兴，思想理论引领都至关重要。习近平总书记在学校思想政治理论课教师座谈会上指出，思政课要“坚持灌输性和启发性相统一”，“让学生接受马克思主义，离不开必要的灌输，但这不等于搞填鸭式的‘硬灌输’。要注重启发式教育，引导学生发现问题、分析问题、思考问题”。坚持灌输性与启发性相统一，既保证了先进思想的有效传递，又充分尊重了受教育者的主体地位，实现了教育过程中教与学的统一，不仅为思政课建设提供了科学指导，也为教育强国建设中发挥思政引领力提供了重要的方法论启示。

3. The Theory of Human Nature and the Comprehensive Development View Align with the Value Orientation of the Emergence of the Ideological and Political Leading Force

3. 人的本质理论与全面发展观契合了思政引领力提出的价值指向

Marx’s theory of human nature establishes the fundamental value coordinates for the ideological and political leading force. Marx pointed out: “But the essence of man is no abstraction inherent in each single individual. In its reality it is the ensemble of the social relations.” [10]10 Karl Marx, “Theses on Feuerbach” (1845), in *Marx and Engels Collected Works*, vol. 5 (Moscow: Progress Publishers, 1976), p. 4. The practical generation and functional exertion of the ideological and political leading force are precisely based on human sociality and practicality. The constructive logic of human sociality lies in ideological and political education guiding individuals to establish correct worldviews, outlooks on life, and values in the construction of social relations, thereby achieving the unity of individual development and social development. By revealing the alienation of labor and the alienation of human nature under capitalist conditions, Marx proposed that in a future society, people should achieve a “comprehensive appropriation” of their own essence, thereby realizing the free and comprehensive development of humanity. Marx and Engels pointed out in the *Communist Manifesto*: “In place of the old bourgeois society, with its classes and class antagonisms, we shall have an association, in which the free development of each is the condition for the free development of all.” [11]11 Karl Marx and Frederick Engels, *Manifesto of the Communist Party* (1848), in *Marx and Engels Collected Works*, vol. 6 (Moscow: Progress Publishers, 1976), p. 506. The free and comprehensive development of humanity is the fundamental goal of a future society and the most essential characteristic of communist society. The theory of the free and comprehensive development of humanity anchors the goal orientation and value coordinates for the ideological and political leading force. From the perspective of its fundamental value orientation, the ideological and political leading force aims to lead the comprehensive development of humanity, which is highly consistent with Marx’s theory of human nature and the comprehensive development view. In the context of building a strong educational country, education imbued with a powerful ideological and political leading force focuses not only on the transmission of knowledge but, more importantly, on promoting the comprehensive development of individuals in morality, intelligence, physical fitness, aesthetics, and labor, making them qualified socialist builders and successors, and advancing Chinese-path modernization through the modernization of people, because “the essence of modernization is the modernization of people.” [12]12 This is a widely cited formulation in Chinese political discourse, often attributed to Xi Jinping, emphasizing that the core of modernization is the transformation of people themselves. Building a strong educational country with a powerful ideological and political leading force fundamentally focuses on promoting the comprehensive development of humanity through the construction of a strong educational country.

马克思关于人的本质理论为思政引领力确立了根本的价值坐标。马克思指出：“人的本质不是单个人所固有的抽象物，在其现实性上，它是一切社会关系的总和。”思政引领力的实践生成和作用发挥，正是基于人的社会性和实践性，人的社会性建构逻辑就在于思想政治教育通过引导个体在社会关系建构中树立正确的世界观、人生观、价值观，从而实现个体发展与社会发展的统一。马克思通过揭示资本主义条件下劳动异化和人的本质异化，提出在未来社会人应该实现对自己本质的“全面占有”，从而实现人的自由而全面的发展。马克思、恩格斯在《共产党宣言》中指出：“代替那存在着阶级和阶级对立的资产阶级旧社会的，将是这样一个联合体，在那里，每个人的自由发展是一切人的自由发展的条件。”人的自由全面发展是未来社会的根本目标，也是共产主义社会的最本质特征。人的自由而全面发展理论为思政引领力锚定了目标指向和价值坐标。从其根本价值指向来讲，思政引领力旨在引领人的全面发展，这与马克思主义关于人的本质理论和全面发展观高度契合。在建设教育强国的背景下，内蕴强大思政引领力的教育不仅仅注重知识的传授，更重要的是促进个体在德智体美劳等方面的全面发展，使之成为合格的社会主义建设者和接班人，以人的现代化推进中国式现代化，因为“现代化的本质是人的现代化”。建设具有强大思政引领力的教育强国，根本的着眼点在于通过教育强国建设促进人的全面发展。

III. The Practical Wisdom of the Communist Party of China’s Ideological and Political Education Constitutes the Historical Foundation for the Emergence of the Ideological and Political Leading Force

三、中国共产党思想政治教育实践智慧构成思政引领力提出的历史底蕴

The practical wisdom of ideological and political education accumulated by the Communist Party of China in its more than one hundred years of struggle has laid a profound historical foundation for the emergence of the ideological and political leading force. This practical wisdom not only reflects the Party’s profound understanding and creative application of ideological and political education in different historical periods but also embodies the Party’s outstanding political wisdom in leading social trends and uniting the people’s strength. In view of this, an in-depth review of the practical wisdom of ideological and political education in the Party’s more than one hundred years of struggle helps to deeply understand the historical logic and practical inevitability of the formation of the ideological and political leading force.

中国共产党在百余年奋斗历程中积累的思想政治教育实践智慧，为思政引领力的提出奠定了深厚的历史根基。这些实践智慧不仅反映了党在不同历史时期对思想政治教育的深刻理解和创造性运用，还体现了党在引领社会思潮、凝聚人民力量方面的卓越政治智慧。鉴于此，深入梳理党的百余年奋斗历程中思想政治教育的实践智慧，有助于深刻理解思政引领力形成的历史逻辑与实践必然性。

1. The Communist Party of China United Revolutionary Forces with the Ideological and Political Leading Force during the Period of the New Democratic Revolution

1. 中国共产党在新民主主义革命时期以思政引领力团结革命力量

From its very inception, the Communist Party of China embedded the ideological and political leading force in the practice of leading the people in revolutionary struggle. The First National Congress of the CPC established a political program guided by Marxism, gathering the broad masses of workers and peasants under the Party’s banner through theoretical propaganda and organizational mobilization. [13]13 The First National Congress of the CPC was held in July 1921 in Shanghai and Jiaxing, marking the formal founding of the Communist Party of China. Subsequently, the Party disseminated Marxist truth to the working class by publishing periodicals, establishing workers’ night schools, and other means, while gradually recognizing the importance of the peasant revolutionary force. Through ideological enlightenment and organizational construction, it led and educated the worker and peasant masses, promoting the arrival of the climax of the Great Revolution. [14]14 The Great Revolution refers to the first united front period of the Kuomintang and the CPC (1924–1927), aimed at overthrowing the warlord regime. After the failure of the Great Revolution, the Party summed up its experiences and lessons, concluding that “the Communist Party must never bind itself in its work of propagating its views and mobilizing the masses under its own banner,” [15]15 This is a paraphrase of a resolution from the Sixth National Congress of the CPC (1928), which stressed the importance of propaganda work. which pointed the direction for subsequent revolutionary struggle. During the period of the Agrarian Revolution, the Party attached great importance to the struggle in the ideological sphere, taking ideological and political leadership as the key to ensuring the correct direction of the revolution. After the Gutian Congress, the principles of building the Party ideologically and building the army politically were established, and the assertion that “political work is the lifeblood of the Red Army” was explicitly put forward. [16]16 The Gutian Congress was held in December 1929 in Gutian, Fujian Province, and its resolutions established the principle of the Party commanding the gun. By strengthening ideological and political education, the Party unified the ideological consensus of the entire Party and the entire army, united revolutionary forces, and provided an important ideological weapon for the victory of the New Democratic Revolution. During the War of Resistance Against Japan, the Party’s ideological and political work closely revolved around “linking with the development of the war situation and with the lives of soldiers and the common people,” [17]17 This is a paraphrase of Mao Zedong’s instructions on propaganda work during the War of Resistance Against Japan (1937–1945). making the Party’s propositions deeply understood by the people through theoretical propaganda and policy interpretation. Mao Zedong pointed out: “To grasp ideological education is the central link in uniting the whole Party to carry out great political struggles.” [18]18 Mao Zedong, “On Coalition Government” (1945), in *Selected Works of Mao Tse-tung*, vol. 3 (Beijing: Foreign Languages Press, 1965), p. 257. In summary, the victory of the New Democratic Revolution was the result of the combination of the Party’s ideological mobilization and the revolutionary practice of the people, and a vivid practice of the Party uniting revolutionary forces with the ideological and political leading force to defeat counter-revolutionary forces.

中国共产党自成立伊始，便将思政引领力寓于党领导人民开展革命斗争的实践中。党的一大确立了以马克思主义为指导的政治纲领，通过理论宣传与组织动员，将广大工农群众聚集在党的旗帜下。之后，党通过出版刊物、成立工人夜校等方式，向工人阶级传播马克思主义真理，同时逐步认识到农民革命力量的重要性，通过思想启蒙与组织建设，引领和教育工农群众，促进了大革命高潮的到来。大革命失败后，党总结经验教训，得出“共产党对于宣传自己的观点，在自己旗帜下动员群众的工作，决不能自己束缚起来”的结论，为后续革命斗争指明方向。土地革命时期，党高度重视思想领域斗争，将思政引领作为保障革命正确方向的关键。古田会议后确立了思想建党、政治建军的原则，明确提出“政治工作是红军的生命线”的论断，通过加强思想政治教育统一全党全军思想共识，团结革命力量，为新民主主义革命的胜利提供了重要的思想武器。抗日战争时期，党的思想政治工作紧密围绕着“联系战争发展的情况，联系士兵和老百姓的生活”开展，通过理论宣传、政策解读，使党的主张深入人心。毛泽东指出：“掌握思想教育，是团结全党进行伟大政治斗争的中心环节。”综而论之，新民主主义革命的胜利是党的思想动员与人民群众革命实践相结合的结果，是党以思政引领力团结革命力量战胜反革命力量的生动实践。

2. The Communist Party of China Coalesced a Consensus on Construction with the Ideological and Political Leading Force during the Period of Socialist Revolution and Construction

2. 中国共产党在社会主义革命和建设时期以思政引领力凝聚建设共识

After the founding of New China, the importance of the ideological and political leading force was elevated to an unprecedented height with the Party’s emphasis on ideological work and political work. Mao Zedong pointed out: “Ideological work and political work are the guarantee for the completion of economic work and technical work; they serve the economic base. Ideology and politics are both the commander and the soul.” [19]19 The term "ideological and political leading force" (思政引领力) is a neologism in Chinese political discourse, referring to the capacity of ideological and political work to guide, direct, and unify thought and action. It was first formally proposed as a key characteristic of a strong educational system in China. Ideological and political work was not only an important tool for breaking down old ideas and establishing a new order, but also a vital force for rallying people’s hearts and promoting national construction and development. During this period, the Party adopted multiple measures to strengthen the practice of ideological and political leadership, consolidate consensus on construction, and solidify the newly established regime. On the one hand, at the intra-Party level, in the early days of New China, the Party launched the “Three-Anti” and “Five-Anti” campaigns [20]20 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the Fifth Collective Study Session of the Political Bureau of the 20th Central Committee,” *Qiushi*, 2023, no. 18. within the Party, which were essentially ideological leadership campaigns. By guiding Party members to carry out criticism and self-criticism, the entire Party was made to deeply recognize the long-term and arduous nature of the revolution, thereby consolidating intra-Party consensus to a certain extent. During the exploratory phase of socialist construction, the Party, through the “Rectification Movement” [21]21 The *Education Powerhouse Construction Plan Outline (2024–2035)* is a central government document outlining strategic goals and tasks for building China into a leading country in education by 2035. and the “Eight-Character Policy,” [22]22 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the National Conference on Propaganda and Ideological Work,” 2018. reflected on problems in socialist construction, adjusted economic policies, and at the same time, by leveraging the role of ideological and political education, guided the entire Party to establish the ideological line of seeking truth from facts. On the other hand, at the societal level, the Party launched a series of ideological remolding campaigns, leading the broad masses of the people to actively participate in the construction of New China. Specifically: first, in the early days of New China, an ideological remolding campaign for intellectuals was carried out, enhancing their ideological consciousness through education and guidance so that they could better serve socialist construction. Second, during the period of socialist transformation, through extensive propaganda of the general line for the transitional period, [23]23 A common Chinese idiom meaning to unite thoughts and efforts towards a common goal. strong ideological and political work was conducted among peasants and industrialists and businessmen, using various forms such as forums and lectures to lead them to voluntarily accept socialist transformation. Third, a system for school ideological and political education work was established. In February 1951, the Central Committee of the CPC promulgated the “Decision on Strengthening Theoretical Education (Draft),” emphasizing the systematic study of Marxism-Leninism and Mao Zedong Thought, and promoting learning progressively according to a three-tier system of political common sense, theoretical common sense, and theoretical works, thereby pushing forward the systematization and standardization of ideological and political education. The “Constitution of the People’s Republic of China” promulgated in September 1954 confirmed the legal status of ideological and political education in national education in the form of the fundamental law of the state. These measures together constituted the Party’s all-round efforts in ideological education and value leadership. They not only consolidated the newly established regime but also provided strong ideological support and spiritual impetus for socialist construction. In summary, during this period, through a series of active explorations such as strengthening ideological and political work, vigorously promoting the practice of investigation and study, and correcting “Left” errors, the Party promoted the socialization and institutionalization of ideological and political education to a certain extent. The ideological and political leading force thus generated played a key role in consolidating consensus on construction and unifying action.

新中国成立后，思政引领力的重要性随着党对思想工作和政治工作的重视被提升到前所未有的高度。毛泽东指出：“思想工作和政治工作，是完成经济工作和技术工作的保证，它们是为经济基础服务的。思想和政治又是统帅，是灵魂。”思想政治工作不仅是破除旧思想、建立新秩序的重要工具，也是凝聚人心、推动国家建设与发展的重要力量。这一时期，党采取多种措施强化思政引领实践，凝聚建设共识，巩固新生政权。一方面，就党内层面来讲，在新中国成立初期，党内开展“三反”“五反”运动，本质上也是思想引领运动，通过引导党员开展批评与自我批评，使全党深刻认识到革命的长期性和艰巨性，在一定程度上凝聚了党内共识。在社会主义建设的探索阶段，党通过“整风运动”和“八字方针”，反思社会主义建设中的问题，调整经济政策，同时通过发挥思想政治教育作用引导全党树立实事求是的思想路线。另一方面，就社会层面来讲，党开展一系列的思想改造运动，引领广大人民群众积极投身新中国建设。具体而言：一是在新中国成立初期，开展知识分子思想改造运动，通过教育和引导来提升知识分子的思想觉悟，使其更好地服务于社会主义建设。二是在社会主义改造时期，通过广泛宣传过渡时期总路线，对农民和工商业者进行了强有力的思想政治工作，以座谈会、讲演会等多种形式引领农民和工商业者自觉地接受社会主义改造。三是建立学校思想政治教育工作制度。1951年2月，中共中央颁布《关于加强理论教育的决定（草案）》，强调系统学习马列主义、毛泽东思想,并按照政治常识、理论常识与理论著作三级体系逐步推进学习，推动思想政治教育的系统化和规范化。1954年9月颁布的《中华人民共和国宪法》以国家根本大法的形式确认思想政治教育在国民教育中的法律地位。这些措施共同构成了党在思想教育和价值引领方面的全方位努力，不仅巩固了新生政权，也为社会主义建设提供了强大的思想支持和精神动力。总而言之，这一时期党通过加强思想政治工作、大兴调查研究之风、纠正“左”的错误等一系列的积极探索，一定程度上推动了思想政治教育的社会化、制度化，所焕发出的思政引领力在凝聚建设共识、统一行动方面发挥了关键作用。

3. The CPC in the New Period of Reform and Opening Up and Socialist Modernization Promoted Ideological Emancipation with the Ideological and Political Leading Force

3. 中国共产党在改革开放和社会主义现代化建设新时期以思政引领力推动思想解放

After reform and opening up, the ideological and political leading force released by the Party’s ideological and political work achieved a historic enhancement in the practice of socialist modernization. In December 1978, Deng Xiaoping delivered an important speech titled “Emancipate the Mind, Seek Truth from Facts, and Unite as One in Looking to the Future” at the closing session of the Central Work Conference of the CPC, emphasizing that the Party’s ideological construction is the foundation and key to ensuring the Party’s leadership position and doing all work well. In accordance with this spirit, the Third Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee [24] thoroughly negated the erroneous policy of the “Two Whatevers,” [25] highly appraised the discussion on the criterion of truth, and re-established the Party’s ideological line of seeking truth from facts. With the continuous advancement of reform and opening up, diverse social trends impacted the ideological and cultural sphere. Erroneous trends such as bourgeois liberalization and historical nihilism infiltrated, causing the ideological front to face the danger of spiritual pollution, and the security of socialist ideology to face challenges. Facing the complex situation, Jiang Zemin pointed out: “Arm people with scientific theory, guide people with correct public opinion... provide strong ideological guarantees and public opinion support in the great cause of building socialism with Chinese characteristics.” [26] This established the value orientation for the Party’s ideological and political work in the new period, promoting the deep manifestation of the ideological and political leading force in the practice of reform and opening up. In September 2001, the Central Committee of the CPC promulgated the “Outline for the Implementation of Civic Moral Construction,” requiring the systematic promotion of ideological and moral construction throughout society and the construction of a socialist moral standard system compatible with the market economy, enriching the connotative structure of the ideological and political leading force. After the 16th National Congress of the CPC, [27] the Party actively implemented the Marxist Theory Research and Construction Project, constructed the socialist core value system, and planned and deployed the strategic layout for the construction of the ideological and political leading force. Overall, during this period, the Party, using the ideological and political leading force as an engine, not only broke ideological shackles and laid the ideological foundation for reform and opening up, but also condensed spiritual impetus through value integration, effectively responding to challenges in the ideological sphere, ensuring that the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics advanced steadily in the correct direction, and demonstrating the leading role and contemporary value of ideological and political work as a “lifeline.”

改革开放以后，党的思想政治工作所释放的思政引领力，在社会主义现代化建设实践中实现了历史性提升。1978年12月，邓小平在中共中央工作会议闭幕会上发表题为《解放思想，实事求是，团结一致向前看》的重要讲话，强调党的思想建设是保证党的领导地位和做好一切工作的根本和关键。党的十一届三中全会依据这一精神，彻底否定了“两个凡是”的错误方针，高度评价了关于真理标准问题的讨论，重新确立了党的实事求是的思想路线。随着改革开放的不断推进，多元社会思潮对思想文化领域形成冲击，资产阶级自由化、历史虚无主义等错误思潮渗透，使思想战线面临精神污染的危险，社会主义意识形态安全面临挑战。面对复杂局面，江泽民指出:“以科学的理论武装人，以正确的舆论引导人……在建设有中国特色社会主义的伟大事业中发挥有力的思想保证和舆论支持作用。”这为新时期党的思想政治工作确立了价值导向，推动思政引领力在改革开放实践中得以深度彰显。2001年9月，中共中央颁布的《公民道德建设实施纲要》要求在全社会系统推进思想道德建设，构建与市场经济相适应的社会主义道德规范体系，丰富了思政引领力的内涵架构。党的十六大以后，党积极实施马克思主义理论研究和建设工程，构建社会主义核心价值体系，谋划部署思政引领力建设的战略布局。总体来看，这一时期党以思政引领力为引擎，既为改革开放破除思想桎梏、奠定思想根基，又通过价值整合凝聚精神动力，有效应对意识形态领域的挑战，确保中国特色社会主义事业在正确方向上稳步推进，彰显了思想政治工作作为“生命线”的引领作用与时代价值。

4. The CPC in the New Era of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics Promotes the Building of a Strong Country with the Ideological and Political Leading Force

4. 中国共产党在中国特色社会主义新时代以思政引领力助推强国建设

Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, [28] facing the profound adjustment of the international landscape, the tough advancement of comprehensively deepening reform, and the fierce confrontation of diverse cultural trends, the Party has elevated ideological and political work to a national strategic height, profoundly grasped the key role of ideological leadership in governance, and pushed the innovation of the Party’s ideological and political work to a new level. During this period, the Party Central Committee successively organized and carried out intra-Party centralized education campaigns such as the Party’s mass line education and practice campaign, the “Remain true to our original aspiration and keep our mission firmly in mind” campaign, [29] Party history study and education, and the campaign on Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, constructing a closed-loop system of theoretical learning and practical transformation, effectively consolidating the ideological consensus of the entire Party, and anchoring the correct direction for the development of the Party and the country’s undertakings. In terms of theoretical arming, Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era has taken deep root in the hearts of the entire Party, becoming a powerful ideological weapon for guiding practice and promoting work. At the same time, ideological and political work in the New Era takes the education sector as a breakthrough, takes fostering virtue and nurturing people as the fundamental task, and through deepening comprehensive educational reform, constructs an all-staff, whole-process, all-round education system, making the role of the ideological and political leading force in building a strong country in education increasingly prominent. General Secretary Xi Jinping put forward the important thesis of “integrating ideological and political work throughout the entire process of education and teaching,” which not only pointed the direction for the development of higher education but also established the core position of ideological and political education in cultivating socialist builders and successors, highlighting its special value as an important component of national strategy. In September 2024, General Secretary Xi Jinping, at the National Education Conference, designated the “ideological and political leading force” as the primary characteristic of a strong country in education, marking a major leap in the positioning of ideological and political education in the overall situation of building a strong country. Generally speaking, since the New Era, the Party, through a series of institutional innovations and practical explorations, has continuously armed the entire Party with Xi Jinping Thought

党的十八大以来，面对国际格局的深度调整、全面深化改革的攻坚推进以及多元文化思潮的激烈交锋，党将思想政治工作提升至国家战略高度，深刻把握思想引领在治国理政中的关键作用，推动党的思想政治工作创新迈上新台阶。这一时期，党中央先后组织开展了党的群众路线教育实践活动、“不忘初心、牢记使命”主题教育、党史学习教育、习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想主题教育等党内集中教育，构建起理论学习与实践转化的闭环体系，有效凝聚全党的思想共识，为党和国家事业发展锚定正确方向。在理论武装方面，习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想在全党深入人心，成为指导实践、推动工作的强大思想武器。同时，新时代思想政治工作以教育领域为突破口，以立德树人为根本任务，通过深化教育综合改革，构建起全员、全过程、全方位的育人体系，使思政引领力在教育强国建设中的作用日益凸显。习近平总书记提出“把思想政治工作贯穿教育教学全过程”的重要论断，不仅为高等教育发展指明了方向，更确立了思想政治教育在培育社会主义建设者和接班人中的核心地位，彰显其作为国家战略重要组成部分的特殊价值。2024年9月，习近平总书记在全国教育大会上将“思政引领力”作为教育强国的首要特质，这标志着思想政治教育在强国建设全局中的定位实现了重大跃升。总体来讲，新时代以来党通过一系列制度创新与实践探索，持续用习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想武装全党，强化理论武装，提升思政引领力。正因为有了这种思想上的统一和坚定，全国各族人民始终能够与党保持同心同德，共同行动，形成强大的思想凝聚力，为强国建设和民族复兴提供了强大的精神动力和思想保证。

IV. The Proposal of the Ideological and Political Leading Force Reflects the Call of the Times to Lead the Building of a Strong Country with a Socialist Ideology Possessing Strong Cohesive and Leading Force

四、思政引领力的提出反映了以具有强大凝聚力和引领力的社会主义意识形态引领强国建设的时代呼唤

Although the ideological and political leading force was proposed as the primary characteristic of a strong educational country when the major strategy of building a strong educational country was being mapped out, the ideological and political leading force is by no means merely a matter of educational development; it has a deeper historical context. As a core concept with distinct ideological attributes, the proposal of the ideological and political leading force is not only a strategic demand for building a strong educational country but also an inherent necessity of socialist ideological construction.

思政引领力尽管是在擘画教育强国的重大战略时，作为教育强国的首要特质提出来的，但思政引领力绝不仅仅是教育发展的问题，而有其更深刻的时代背景。作为具有鲜明意识形态属性的核心概念，思政引领力的提出既是教育强国建设的战略诉求，更是社会主义意识形态建设的内在必然。

1. The Ideological and Political Leading Force Is an Essential Meaning of Advancing the Building of a Strong Educational Country

1. 思政引领力是推进教育强国建设的题中之义

The construction of an educational powerhouse constitutes a strategic fulcrum for Chinese-path modernization, and its practical advancement directly concerns the realization of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out: “The educational powerhouse we aim to build is a socialist educational powerhouse with Chinese characteristics. It must take upholding the Party’s overall leadership over educational endeavors as its fundamental guarantee, fostering virtue through education as its fundamental task, cultivating talent for the Party and the country as its fundamental goal, and serving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation as its important mission.” [20]20 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the Fifth Collective Study Session of the Political Bureau of the 20th Central Committee,” *Qiushi*, 2023, no. 18. Within this strategic layout, the leading power of ideological and political education, as the primary characteristic of an educational powerhouse, plays an irreplaceable and key role. First, it is an inevitable requirement for ensuring the Party’s overall leadership over educational endeavors. The Party’s overall leadership is the fundamental guarantee for educational reform and development, while ideological and political work is the key means by which the Party realizes ideological leadership, political leadership, and organizational leadership within the educational sphere. The proposal of the leading power of ideological and political education helps the Party transform its political and organizational advantages into governance effectiveness in the educational field, ensuring that educational endeavors develop in the correct direction. Second, it is an inherent requirement for comprehensively implementing the fundamental task of fostering virtue through education. Fostering virtue through education is the fundamental mission of education, and the crux of the issue lies in “what virtue to foster and what kind of people to cultivate.” Running socialist education with Chinese characteristics, in the final analysis, means fostering the virtue of socialism and cultivating builders and successors for the socialist cause. This requires bringing into play the leading power of ideological and political education, focusing on cultivating socialist builders and successors with profound feelings of family and country, a strong sense of social responsibility, and good personal cultivation, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of fostering virtue through education and consolidating the foundation for students’ growth and development. Third, it is an inevitable choice for accelerating the strategic planning of educational modernization. The *Education Powerhouse Construction Plan Outline (2024–2035)* [21]21 The *Education Powerhouse Construction Plan Outline (2024–2035)* is a central government document outlining strategic goals and tasks for building China into a leading country in education by 2035. points out that by 2035, China will have generally achieved educational modernization and ranked among the world’s educational powerhouses. As a systematic project, educational modernization requires ideological and political work to play a role in direction guidance and resource integration. By strengthening the leading power of ideological and political education, it is possible to provide clear value orientation for the rapid development of educational modernization, promote the coordinated development of education, science and technology, and talent, and form a powerful synergy to advance educational modernization.

教育强国建设构成中国式现代化的战略支点，其实践推进直接关乎民族复兴伟业的实现进程。习近平总书记指出：“我们要建设的教育强国，是中国特色社会主义教育强国，必须以坚持党对教育事业的全面领导为根本保证，以立德树人为根本任务，以为党育人、为国育才为根本目标，以服务中华民族伟大复兴为重要使命。”在此战略布局中，思政引领力作为教育强国的首要特质，发挥着不可替代的关键作用。一是确保党对教育事业全面领导的必然要求。党的全面领导是教育改革发展的根本保证，思想政治工作则是党在教育事业中实现思想领导、政治领导和组织领导的关键手段。思政引领力的提出，有助于党将自身的政治优势和组织优势转化为教育领域的治理效能，确保教育事业沿着正确的方向发展。二是全面落实立德树人根本任务的内在要求。立德树人是教育的根本使命，而问题的关键在于“立什么德、树什么人”。办中国特色社会主义教育，说到底就是要立社会主义之德，树社会主义事业的建设者和接班人。这就需要发挥思政引领力，着力培养具有深厚家国情怀、强烈社会责任感和良好个人修养的社会主义建设者和接班人，增强立德树人之效，厚植学生成长发展之基。三是加快实现教育现代化战略谋划的必然选择。《教育强国建设规划纲要（2024—2035年）》指出，到2035年我国将总体实现教育现代化并跻身全球教育强国之列。作为一项系统性工程，教育现代化需要思想政治工作发挥方向引领与资源整合的作用。通过强化思政引领力，能为教育现代化的快速发展提供清晰的价值导向，促进教育、科技、人才的协同发展，形成推进教育现代化的强大合力。

2. The leading power of ideological and political education is an inherent requirement for advancing the construction of socialist ideology in the New Era

2. 思政引领力是推进新时代社会主义意识形态建设的内在要求

Ideological work is an extremely important task for the Party. Manifesting the leading power of ideological and political education is a key move in solving the contemporary issues of socialist ideology construction, which is mainly reflected in three practical dimensions: First, using political leadership to build a solid line of defense for ideological security. Amid the changes unseen in a century, the potential risks faced by China’s ideological sphere originate from multiple domestic and international factors, including but not limited to the spread of erroneous trends such as neoliberalism, the infiltration of external forces, and conflicts and contradictions arising from value differentiation during the social transition period. Manifesting the leading power of ideological and political education lies in anchoring the political direction of socialism with Chinese characteristics through theoretical interpretation and value transmission, so that the entire people can consolidate the political consciousness of the Two Upholds in thought and form a practical synergy in action that resonates with the national development strategy, thereby fundamentally consolidating the guiding position of Marxism in the ideological sphere. Second, using public opinion leadership to seize the dominant power in cyberspace. In today’s information age, the public opinion arena exhibits characteristics such as immediacy, openness, and interactivity, becoming a frontline for ideological struggle. The decentralization trend of internet information dissemination exacerbates risks such as the spread of false information, opinion polarization, and echo chamber effects, making the struggle situation in China’s ideological sphere more complex. The practical manifestation of the leading power of ideological and political education requires innovating the methods and means of ideological work. It is necessary not only to build a mainstream public opinion matrix through means such as agenda setting and precise communication but also to use mechanisms such as algorithmic governance and value clarification to guide the public in identifying “information cocoons” and cognitive biases, ultimately achieving the goal of “firmly grasping the correct guidance of public opinion, singing the main theme, strengthening positive energy, and making mainstream thought and public opinion bigger and stronger.” [22]22 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the National Conference on Propaganda and Ideological Work,” 2018. Third, using value leadership to achieve the unity of constructiveness and criticalness. The essence of constructing socialist ideology is to establish a dominant value consensus amidst the collision of multiple values. Manifesting the leading power of ideological and political education requires both carrying out positive propaganda centered on Marxism adapted to the Chinese context and the needs of the times, cultivating mainstream values through paths such as theoretical arming, cultural edification, and practical cultivation; and emphasizing the academic critique of erroneous trends, enhancing the ability to discriminate in thought through the comparison of positive and negative values. This unity of constructiveness and criticalness is an inherent stipulation of the leading power of ideological and political education and an inevitable requirement for maintaining ideological security and promoting the integration of social thought.

意识形态工作是党的一项极端重要的工作。彰显思政引领力是破解社会主义意识形态建设时代课题的关键一招，这主要体现为三个实践向度：一是以政治引领筑牢意识形态安全防线。在世界百年未有之大变局下，我国意识形态领域所面临的潜在风险源自国内外多种因素，包括但不限于新自由主义等错误思潮的传播、外部势力的渗透以及社会转型期价值分化引发的矛盾和冲突。彰显思政引领力，在于通过理论阐释与价值传导，锚定中国特色社会主义的政治方向，使全体人民在思想上凝聚“两个维护”的政治自觉，在行动上形成与国家发展战略同频共振的实践合力，从根本上巩固马克思主义在意识形态领域的指导地位。二是以舆论引领掌握网络空间的主导权。在当今信息时代，舆论场呈现即时性、开放性、交互性等特征，成为意识形态斗争的前沿阵地。互联网信息传播的去中心化趋势，使虚假信息扩散、观点极化、回音室效应等风险加剧，我国意识形态领域的斗争形势更加复杂。思政引领力的实践彰显，要求创新意识形态工作的方式方法，既要通过议题设置、精准传播等手段构建主流舆论矩阵，也要借助算法治理、价值澄清等机制引导公众识别“信息茧房”与认知偏差，最终实现“牢牢把握正确舆论导向，唱响主旋律，壮大正能量，做大做强主流思想舆论”的目标。三是以价值引领实现建设性与批判性的统一。社会主义意识形态建设的本质，是在多元价值碰撞中确立主导性价值共识。彰显思政引领力，既要求以中国化时代化的马克思主义为核心开展正面宣传，通过理论武装、文化熏染、实践养成等路径培育主流价值观；也强调对错误思潮的学理批判，在正反价值对比中提升思想辨析力。这种建设性与批判性的统一，是思政引领力的内在规定，也是维护意识形态安全、促进社会思想整合的必然要求。

3. The leading power of ideological and political education is an important power engine for realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through Chinese-path modernization

3. 思政引领力是以中国式现代化实现中华民族伟大复兴的重要动力引擎

Chinese-path modernization shoulders the historical mission of realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. The leading power of ideological and political education, like a powerful ideological engine, injects a continuous stream of spiritual motivation into Chinese-path modernization, provides correct direction guidance, and gathers broad social consensus, propelling the Chinese nation steadily towards the goal of great rejuvenation. First, it provides powerful spiritual motivation for Chinese-path modernization. The exertion of the leading power of ideological and political education can, through the dissemination and popularization of Marxism, the inheritance and promotion of the spiritual lineage of Chinese Communists, and the creative transformation and innovative development of fine traditional Chinese culture, stimulate the spiritual strength of the entire people to strive for the realization of Chinese-path modernization. At the same time, through ideological guidance, it can encourage the broad masses to dare to break through and be innovative, inspiring a sense of innovation and an innovative spirit for realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Second, it points out the correct direction for Chinese-path modernization. Chinese-path modernization is essentially socialist modernization, and its development must adhere to the socialist direction. Strengthening the construction of the leading power of ideological and political education requires persistently and deeply carrying out education on core socialist values, education on ideals and beliefs, etc., ensuring that the entire people maintain a high degree of consistency with the Party Central Committee in thought and action, and unswervingly follow the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Third, it gathers the consensus and synergy of construction for comprehensively advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through Chinese-path modernization. Realizing the great cause of national rejuvenation is the common dream of all Chinese sons and daughters. Strengthening the construction of the leading power of ideological and political education requires, through means such as promoting the spirit of patriotism and inheriting fine traditional Chinese culture, closely uniting the entire people, forming a strong national cohesion, prompting the alignment of individual ideals and pursuits with national development goals, forming a collective cohesion of “thinking in one place and exerting strength in one direction,” [23]23 A common Chinese idiom meaning to unite thoughts and efforts towards a common goal. enabling it to better serve the construction of Chinese-path modernization and provide a solid ideological guarantee for realizing the Chinese Dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

中国式现代化肩负着实现中华民族伟大复兴的历史使命，思政引领力如同强大的思想引擎，为中国式现代化注入源源不断的精神动力、提供正确的方向指引和凝聚广泛的社会共识，推动中华民族向着伟大复兴的目标稳步迈进。一是为中国式现代化提供强大的精神动力。思政引领力的发挥，可以通过马克思主义的传播普及、中国共产党人精神谱系的传承弘扬和中华优秀传统文化的创造性转化与创新性发展，激发全体人民为实现中国式现代化而奋斗的精神力量。同时还可以通过思想引导，激励广大人民敢于突破、勇于创新，为实现中华民族伟大复兴激发创新意识和创新精神。二是为中国式现代化指明正确方向。中国式现代化本质上是社会主义现代化，其发展必须坚持社会主义方向。强化思政引领力建设，要求持续深入地开展社会主义核心价值观教育、理想信念教育等，确保全体人民在思想上、行动上同党中央保持高度一致，坚定不移走中国特色社会主义道路。三是为以中国式现代化全面推进中华民族伟大复兴凝聚建设的共识与合力。实现民族复兴伟业是全体中华儿女共同的梦想。强化思政引领力建设，要求通过弘扬爱国主义精神、传承中华优秀传统文化等方式，将全体人民紧密团结在一起，形成强大的民族凝聚力，促使个体的理想追求与国家发展目标相统一，形成“心往一处想、劲往一处使”的集体凝聚力，使其更好地服务于中国式现代化建设，为实现中华民族伟大复兴的中国梦提供坚实的思想保障。

(The authors are professors and doctoral supervisors at the Research Center for Marxist Theory, Southwest University)

（作者系西南大学马克思主义理论研究中心教授、博士生导师）

Online Editor: Ma Jingren

网络编辑：马京仁