Lenin’s Late Views on Culture and Their Implications for Cultural Inheritance and Development

At the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, faced with the complex cultural currents in Russia, Lenin firmly defended Marxist cultural theory and conducted in-depth critiques of Narodnik thought, Machism, and others. After the October Revolution, Lenin actively explored pathways for socialist cultural construction, putting forward a series of practical policy guidelines and concrete measures. In his later years, Lenin systematically expounded the essence of socialist culture, its direction of development, and its relationship with the economy and politics, emphasizing the important role of the “cultural revolution” in socialist construction, and engaging in deep reflection on the strategic goals, methodological pathways, and practical challenges of cultural construction. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out at the Symposium on Cultural Inheritance and Development that continuing to promote cultural prosperity and build a strong cultural nation at a new starting point is our new cultural mission in the New Era. An in-depth exploration of Lenin’s late views on culture holds significant reference value for promoting the innovative development of socialist culture and strengthening the construction of socialist culture with Chinese characteristics.

19世纪末20世纪初，面对俄国复杂的文化思潮，列宁坚定地捍卫马克思主义文化理论，对民粹派思想、马赫主义等进行了深入批判。十月革命后，列宁积极探索社会主义文化建设路径，提出了一系列切实可行的实践方针和具体举措。在晚年，列宁系统论述了社会主义文化的本质、发展方向及其与经济、政治的关系，强调“文化革命”在社会主义建设中的重要作用，并围绕文化建设的战略目标、方法路径和现实挑战进行了深入思考。习近平总书记在文化传承发展座谈会上指出，在新的起点上继续推动文化繁荣、建设文化强国，是我们在新时代新的文化使命。深入探究列宁晚年文化观，对于推动社会主义文化的创新发展、加强中国特色社会主义文化建设具有重要的参考价值。

I. Lenin’s Multidimensional Interpretation of Culture

一、列宁对文化的多维阐释

Lenin’s multidimensional interpretation of culture, grounded in the social realities and historical context of Soviet Russia, not only expanded and deepened the understanding of the concept and scope of culture but also put forward critical insights of profound theoretical value, demonstrating his keen insight into cultural development and his deep reflection on theoretical innovation and practical exploration.

列宁结合苏俄社会现实和时代背景对文化的多维阐释，不仅拓展和深化了对文化概念及其范畴的理解，还提出了具有深刻理论价值的批判性见解，展现了他对文化发展的敏锐洞察力，并在理论创新与实践探索方面进行了深度反思。

(I) The Dimension of Connotation: Exploring the Conceptual Category of Culture from Both Broad and Narrow Senses

(一)内涵维度:从广义和狭义两个方面探讨文化的概念范畴

Although Lenin did not explicitly define culture, his frequent use of terms such as “political culture,” “spiritual culture,” and “pure culture” reveals his deep thought and exploration of the concept of culture. Building on the cultural analysis of Marx and Engels, Lenin further expanded the category of the concept of culture from both broad and narrow dimensions.

尽管列宁未明确阐述文化的定义，但他对“政治文化”“精神文化”和“纯粹文化”等术语的频繁使用，显示出其对文化概念的深入思考与探索。列宁在马克思和恩格斯的文化分析基础上，进一步从广义和狭义两个维度扩展了文化概念的范畴。

In the broad sense, Lenin analyzed the material and spiritual categories of the concept of culture. His broad exploration of culture is profoundly reflected in his analysis of the overall condition of Russian society, his exposition of the historical laws of the revolutionary process, and his discussion of the conditions required for socialist construction. Lenin pointed out, “This cultural revolution, whether in the sphere of pure culture (for we are illiterate) or in the material sphere (for to become cultured we must achieve a fairly developed production of material means of production, a fairly substantial material base), is exceptionally difficult for us.” [1]1 V. I. Lenin, “On Cooperation,” Collected Works, vol. 33, p. 474. Here, culture involves not only the spiritual “pure culture” but is also closely linked to material conditions. Therefore, in Lenin’s view, culture encompasses both material and spiritual categories, forming a broad conceptual framework. In the narrow sense, Lenin explored the explicit and implicit categories of the concept of culture. When discussing the professional competence of state agency personnel, Lenin emphasized, “They still lack the cultural attainments necessary for building such an agency. And what is needed for this task is precisely culture.” [2]2 V. I. Lenin, “Better Fewer, But Better,” Collected Works, vol. 33, p. 488. Here, culture explicitly refers to the explicit form of narrow culture, encompassing aspects such as educational level, vocational skills, and practical abilities. In his analysis of the backwardness of Soviet Russian culture, Lenin delved deeper into the implicit category of narrow culture. He pointed out, “These shortcomings are rooted in the past, which, although overthrown, has not yet been destroyed, has not yet receded into the already obsolete stage of the old culture.” [3]3 V. I. Lenin, “On Cooperation,” Collected Works, vol. 33, p. 473. Here, culture involves the old cultural traditions and habits of Russia, such as “the abominable culture of the pre-bourgeois system, i.e., the culture of the bureaucracy or serfdom, etc.” [4]4 V. I. Lenin, “On Cooperation,” Collected Works, vol. 33, p. 473. Furthermore, in his analysis of “Oblomovism” [5]5 “Oblomovism” refers to the lethargy, inertia, and lack of initiative associated with the protagonist Oblomov in Ivan Goncharov’s novel *Oblomov*; Lenin used it as a metaphor for the backward cultural traits of the old Russian gentry and bureaucracy. and “Great Russian chauvinism,” Lenin further revealed the complex role of the implicit category of narrow culture in shaping national identity and political mentality.

在广义方面，列宁分析了文化概念的物质和精神范畴。他对文化的广义探讨深刻体现在对俄国社会整体状况的剖析，对革命进程历史规律的阐释，以及对社会主义建设所需条件的论述中。列宁指出，“这个文化革命，无论在纯粹文化方面(因为我们是文盲)或物质方面(因为要成为有文化的人，就要有相当发达的物质生产资料的生产，要有相当的物质基础)，对于我们来说，都是异常困难的”。此处的文化不仅涉及精神层面的“纯粹文化”，还与物质条件密切相关。因此，在列宁的观点中，文化涵盖了物质与精神双重范畴，构建形成一个广义的概念框架。在狭义方面，列宁探索了文化概念的显型与隐型范畴。在讨论国家机关人员的专业素养时，列宁强调，“他们直到现在还没有具备建立这种机关所必需的文化修养。而做这件事情所必需的正是文化”。这里的文化明确指代狭义文化的显型样态，涵盖了教育水平、职业技能和实践能力等方面。在对苏俄文化落后状况的分析中，列宁对狭义文化的隐型范畴进行了更为深入的探讨。他指出，“这些缺点根源于过去，过去的东西虽已被打翻，但还没有被消灭，没有退到早已成为陈迹的旧文化阶段去”。这里的文化涉及俄国旧的文化传统和习惯，如“资产阶级制度以前的糟糕之极的文化，即官僚或农奴制等等的文化”。此外，列宁在分析“奥勃洛摩夫精神”和“大俄罗斯沙文主义”时，进一步揭示了狭义文化的隐型范畴在民族身份认同与政治心态塑造中的复杂作用。

(II) The Political Dimension: Elaborating the Class Character of Culture from the Fundamental Standpoint of the Proletariat

(二)政治维度:基于无产阶级的根本立场阐述文化的阶级属性

In a class society, different classes form their own modes of expression in culture, thereby reflecting the class character of culture. Lenin pointed out, “Formerly we placed, and had to place, the main emphasis on political struggle, revolution, the seizure of power, etc. Now the emphasis is changing and shifting to peaceful ‘cultural’ organizational work.” [6]6 V. I. Lenin, “On Cooperation,” Collected Works, vol. 33, p. 474. This indicates that culture is not only a product of social development but also directly serves class struggle. Feudal patriarchal culture and bourgeois culture, as tools used by the ruling class to maintain its rule, must be destroyed through the proletariat’s “cultural revolution,” thereby laying a solid ideological foundation for establishing and consolidating proletarian political power. Therefore, the “cultural revolution” must be closely integrated with political transformation, enhancing the cultural literacy of the working class and the masses to strengthen their support for and identification with socialism.

在阶级社会中，不同阶级在文化上会形成各自的表达方式，从而体现出文化的阶级属性。列宁指出，“从前我们是把重心放在而且也应该放在政治斗争、革命、夺取政权等等方面，而现在重心改变了，转到和平的‘文化’组织工作上去了”。这表明，文化不仅是社会发展的产物，也直接服务于阶级斗争。封建宗法文化和资产阶级文化作为统治阶级维护自身统治的工具，必须通过无产阶级的“文化革命”加以摧毁，从而为建立和巩固无产阶级政权奠定坚实的思想基础。因此，“文化革命”必须与政治变革紧密结合，通过提升工人阶级和人民群众的文化素养，增强其对社会主义的支持和认同。

In the latter half of the 19th century, the Russian bourgeoisie, using the slogan of “national cultural unity,” attempted to downplay the class character of culture in order to resist the workers’ movement. Lenin criticized this: “Bourgeois nationalism most likes to talk about ‘national culture,’ emphasizing the differences between one nation and another, thereby dividing the workers of different nations and fooling them with ‘national slogans.’” [7]7 V. I. Lenin, “Critical Remarks on the National Question,” Collected Works, vol. 20, p. 22. The bourgeoisie used nationalist discourse to try to conceal class contradictions within culture, and Lenin conducted an in-depth analysis of this. On the basis of the differentiation of cultural discourse power, he creatively proposed the theory of “two cultures”: “In every modern nation there are two nations. In every national culture there are two national cultures.” [8]8 V. I. Lenin, “Critical Remarks on the National Question,” Collected Works, vol. 20, p. 24. Here, the “two nations” essentially refer to the ruling class and the ruled class. Because these two classes have fundamental differences in values, political demands, moral norms, etc., the two classes within the same nation actually exhibit distinctly different cultural characteristics. Therefore, the “two national cultures” correspond respectively to the culture of the ruling class and the culture of the ruled class, and the differences in the political status and living environment of the two classes profoundly influence the main content and forms of expression of the two cultures. Specifically, “every nation contains toiling, exploited masses, whose living conditions inevitably give rise to a democratic and socialist ideology,” [9]9 V. I. Lenin, “Critical Remarks on the National Question,” Collected Works, vol. 20, p. 24. but before the toiling masses achieve revolutionary victory, these ideological systems are often in a weak position and have not yet become the dominant culture. As Lenin stated, “every nation also contains a bourgeois culture (and in the majority of cases, a Black-Hundred and clerical culture as well), and this not merely as ‘elements,’ but as the dominant culture.” [10]10 V. I. Lenin, “Critical Remarks on the National Question,” Collected Works, vol. 20, p. 24. “Black-Hundred” refers to the ultra-reactionary, monarchist, and anti-Semitic groups in Tsarist Russia. Because the bourgeoisie holds state power and the dominant position in cultural dissemination, its culture occupies a dominant position in society, while proletarian culture has long been suppressed. However, with the advancement of revolutionary struggle, proletarian culture will continue to develop and grow, eventually becoming the dominant culture of socialist society. Therefore, the historical mission of the proletariat is not only to overthrow the old system but also to extract the core content of democracy and socialism from the deep soil of national culture, making it a powerful weapon against bourgeois culture, and to examine and transform national culture from the standpoint of proletarian internationalism.

19世纪后半期，俄国资产阶级借助“民族文化统一性”的口号，试图淡化文化的阶级属性，以此抵制工人运动。列宁批判道:“资产阶级的民族主义最喜欢谈‘民族文化’，强调一个民族同另一个民族的差异，从而把不同民族的工人分开，用‘民族的口号’来愚弄他们。”资产阶级利用民族主义话语试图掩盖文化中的阶级矛盾，而列宁对此进行了深入剖析，并在文化话语权分化的基础上，创造性地提出了“两种文化”理论，即“每一个现代民族中，都有两个民族。每一种民族文化中，都有两种民族文化”。这里的“两个民族”实质上指的是统治阶级和被统治阶级。由于这两个阶级在价值观念、政治诉求、道德规范等方面存在根本性差异，使得同一个民族内部的两个阶级，实际上呈现出截然不同的文化特征。因此，“两种民族文化”分别对应统治阶级的文化和被统治阶级的文化，而两个阶级在政治地位和生活环境上的不同，也深刻影响了两种文化的主要内容和表现形式。具体而言，“每个民族都有被剥削劳动群众，他们的生活条件必然会产生民主主义的和社会主义的意识形态”,但在劳动群众取得革命胜利之前，这些思想体系往往处于弱势地位，尚未成为主导文化。正如列宁所言，“每个民族也都有资产阶级的文化(大多数还是黑帮的和教权派的)，而且这不仅表现为一些‘成分’，而表现为占统治地位的文化”。由于资产阶级掌握国家政权和文化传播的主导权，其文化在社会中占据统治地位，无产阶级文化长期处于被压制的境地。然而，随着革命斗争的推进，无产阶级文化会不断发展壮大，最终成为社会主义社会的主导文化。因此，无产阶级的历史使命不仅是推翻旧制度，还要从民族文化的深厚土壤中提炼出民主主义和社会主义的核心内容，使其成为反对资产阶级文化的强大武器，并以无产阶级的国际主义立场来审视和改造民族文化。

(III) The Economic Dimension: Conducting an Analysis of Cultural Production from the Perspective of Productive Forces and Relations of Production

(三)经济维度:从生产力和生产关系出发展开文化的生产分析

The socio-economic formation determines all aspects of the superstructure, including politics, law, and ideology, and constitutes a system of relations of production corresponding to the level and nature of the productive forces at that time. In analyzing the development of social history, Lenin quoted the important thesis from Marx’s “Preface to A Contribution to the Critique of Political Economy”: “In considering such transformations a distinction should always be made between the material transformation of the economic conditions of production, which can be determined with the precision of natural science, and the legal, political, religious, artistic or philosophic – in short, ideological forms in which men become conscious of this conflict and fight it out. Just as one does not judge an individual by what he thinks about himself, so one cannot judge such a period of transformation by its consciousness, but, on the contrary, this consciousness must be explained from the contradictions of material life, from the conflict existing between the social forces of production and the relations of production... In broad outline, the Asiatic, ancient, feudal and modern bourgeois modes of production may be designated as epochs marking progress in the economic development of society.” [11]11 Karl Marx, “Preface to A Contribution to the Critique of Political Economy,” in Karl Marx and Frederick Engels, *Selected Works*, vol. 1, p. 504. Based on this view, Lenin emphasized that it is necessary to transform conceptual forms into social reality through practical activity, raise the cultural level of the whole society, promote scientific and technological progress, increase labor productivity, and provide sustained talent support for national industrialization.

社会经济形态决定了政治、法律、意识形态等上层建筑的各个方面，并构成与当时生产力水平和性质相适应的生产关系体系。列宁在分析社会历史发展时，曾引用马克思《〈政治经济学批判〉序言》中的重要论断:“我们判断这样一个变革时代也不能以它的意识为根据;相反，这个意识必须从物质生活的矛盾中，从社会生产力和生产关系之间的现存冲突中去解释……大体说来，亚细亚的、古希腊罗马的、封建的和现代资产阶级的生产方式可以看做是经济的社会形态演进的几个时代。”基于这一观点，列宁强调，必须通过实践活动将观念形态转化为社会现实，提高全社会的文化水平，推动科学技术进步，提高劳动生产率，为国家工业化提供持续的人才支持。

As an important component of the ideological superstructure, culture not only reflects the development of the economic base but also influences the evolution of relations of production. Lenin pointed out: “If we leave international relations aside and speak only of internal economic relations, then the centre of gravity of our work really does lie in culturalism.” [12]12 V. I. Lenin, “On Cooperation,” *Collected Works*, Vol. 33, p. 462. The term “culturalism” (культурничество) refers to a focus on cultural and educational work as a primary task. This indicates that the formation of new relations of production cannot be separated from the impetus of culture, and different cultural forms affect changes in social values, ideology, and organizational systems. Furthermore, Lenin particularly emphasized the important role of culture in promoting the development of productive forces. He noted that “cultural work among the peasants, as far as its economic aim is concerned, is precisely cooperation” and that “the electrical industry must meet the requirements of modern technology and put an end to the old-fashioned peasant farming. To achieve this, a higher level of culture and education is needed.” [13]13 V. I. Lenin, “Our Foreign and Domestic Position and the Tasks of the Party,” *Collected Works*, Vol. 31, p. 419. It can be seen from this that culture, especially education and science and technology, not only drives the transformation of relations of production but also constitutes the core driving force for the development of productive forces. Culture enhances the skills and production efficiency of laborers by shaping their ways of thinking, values, and behavioral habits. Therefore, Lenin attached great importance to the development of education and the popularization of knowledge, emphasizing that “enabling the exploited working people to truly enjoy the benefits of culture, civilization, and democracy is precisely one of the most important tasks of the Soviet government.” [14]14 V. I. Lenin, “The Immediate Tasks of the Soviet Government,” *Collected Works*, Vol. 27, p. 259. This approach helps accelerate the transformation of labor knowledge and the progress of science and technology, awakens the independent spirit and conscious awareness of workers, and breaks “the old, narrow conditions of life that stultify the producers and make it impossible for them to control their own destiny.” [15]15 V. I. Lenin, “The Great Initiative,” *Collected Works*, Vol. 29, p. 411. Ultimately, through the development of culture, the liberation and enhancement of productive forces are promoted, fundamentally driving socio-economic progress.

作为观念上层建筑的重要组成部分，文化不仅反映了经济基础的发展，同时也影响生产关系的演变。列宁指出:“如果把国际关系撇开不谈，只就国内经济关系来说，那么我们现在的工作重心的确在于文化主义。”这表明，新的生产关系的形成离不开文化的推动，不同的文化形态影响着社会价值观念、意识形态和组织制度的变革。此外，列宁特别强调文化在促进生产力发展中的重要作用。他指出，“在农民中进行的文化工作，就其经济目的来说，就是合作化”,“使电力工业能够满足现代技术的要求和结束旧式的农民耕作。要做到这一步就需要有更高的文化和教育”。由此可见，文化，特别是教育和科技，不仅推动了生产关系的变革，也构成了生产力发展的核心动力。文化通过塑造人们的思维方式、价值观和行为习惯，提升劳动者的技能和生产效率。因此，列宁高度重视教育的发展和知识的普及，强调“使被剥削的劳动者能够真正享受文化、文明和民主的福利，这正是苏维埃政权一项最重要的工作”。这种做法有助于加速劳动知识的转换和科学技术的进步，唤醒工人的独立精神和自觉意识，打破“使得生产者愚钝和没有可能自己掌握自己命运的、旧有的狭隘生活条件”。最终，通过文化的发展促进生产力的解放和提升，从根本上推动社会经济的进步。

(IV) Critical Dimension: An In-Depth Analysis of Culture in Response to Populist Reactionary Thought

(四)批判维度:针对民粹主义反动思想进行文化的深入剖析

In polemics with various schools of thought, Lenin consistently adhered to the proletarian standpoint, creatively applied Marxism to analyze the practice of the Russian revolution, profoundly criticized all kinds of bourgeois reactionary cultural trends, and in this process enriched and developed historical materialism, gradually forming a unique theoretical system of culture.

在与各类思想流派的论战中，列宁始终坚持无产阶级立场，创造性地运用马克思主义分析俄国革命实践，深刻批判形形色色的资产阶级反动文化思潮，并在此过程中丰富和发展了唯物史观，逐步形成了独特的文化理论体系。

Populism, as a social trend representing the interests of the petty bourgeoisie, underwent two stages of development — “old populism” and “modern populism” — but never escaped the limitations of idealist history and subjective sociology. Combining the historical background and the conditions of the era, Lenin made an in-depth comparison between the views of the modern populists and the intellectual legacy left by the Russian revolutionary democrats of the 1860s. Taking “social being determines social consciousness” as his theoretical foundation, he systematically analyzed the cultural roots of populism, revealing its internal contradictions and limitations. Lenin pointed out: “The essence of populism lies deeper: not in the doctrine of unique development, nor in Slavophilism, but in representing the interests and ideas of the Russian small producers.” [16]16 V. I. Lenin, “The Economic Content of Narodism and the Criticism of It in Mr. Struve’s Book,” *Collected Works*, Vol. 1, p. 415. This class limitation not only led to confusion and disorder in Russian social thought but also hindered the modern development of culture. He criticized populism, stating that “this democracy, as a socialist utopia, is erroneous,” [17]17 V. I. Lenin, “The Heritage We Renounce,” *Collected Works*, Vol. 2, p. 518. arguing that it reflected an anti-modernization tendency, lacking both a scientific path for social change and the ability to genuinely promote the progress of relations of production. However, Lenin did not completely negate the historical role of populism. He pointed out that at a specific historical stage, the theories of the populists “in this bourgeois struggle against the serf-owning system were ‘rational’ (in terms of the specific historical task) and progressive,” [18]18 V. I. Lenin, “What the ‘Friends of the People’ Are and How They Fight the Social-Democrats,” *Collected Works*, Vol. 1, p. 278. creating favorable conditions for promoting bourgeois reforms. In the struggle against feudal culture, bourgeois culture did not merely serve bourgeois interests; to a certain extent, it also reflected the demands of the working masses and became one of the driving forces of social change. As Lenin emphasized: “All changes in the old economic system brought about by capitalism inevitably cause changes in people’s spiritual outlook… causing profound changes in the character of the producers.” [19]19 V. I. Lenin, “The Development of Capitalism in Russia,” *Collected Works*, Vol. 3, p. 601. Therefore, compared with the medieval feudal patriarchal system, capitalism has a certain progressive significance in culture, especially in playing a positive role in promoting the awakening of proletarian revolutionary consciousness.

民粹主义作为一种代表小资产阶级利益的社会思潮，经历了“旧民粹主义”和“现代民粹主义”两个发展阶段，但始终未能摆脱唯心史观和主观社会学的局限。结合当时的历史背景和时代情境，列宁深入比较了现代民粹派观点与19世纪60年代俄国革命民主派所留下的思想遗产，并以“社会存在决定社会意识”为理论基础，对民粹主义的文化根源进行了系统剖析，揭示其内在矛盾和局限性。列宁指出，“民粹主义的实质在更深的地方:不在独特发展的学说，也不在斯拉夫主义，而在代表俄国小生产者的利益和思想”。这种阶级局限性不仅导致俄国社会思想的混乱和无序，也阻碍了文化的现代化发展。他批判民粹主义“这种民主主义作为社会主义乌托邦是错误的”,认为其体现出一种反现代化的倾向，既缺乏科学的社会变革路径，也难以真正推动生产关系的进步。然而，列宁并未全盘否定民粹主义的历史作用。他指出，在特定历史阶段，民粹派的理论“在反对农奴制度的这种资产阶级性质的斗争中，它却是‘合理的’(就特定的历史任务而言)和进步的”,为推动资产阶级改革创造了有利条件。在与封建文化的斗争中，资产阶级文化并非仅仅服务于资产阶级利益，在一定程度上也反映了劳动群众的诉求，成为社会变革的推动力量之一。正如列宁所强调的:“一切由资本主义所造成的旧经济制度的改变，必然也会引起人们精神面貌的改变……引起生产者性格的深刻改变。”因此，相较于中世纪封建宗法制度，资本主义在文化上具有一定的进步意义，尤其是在促进无产阶级革命意识觉醒方面发挥了积极作用。

II. The Logical Framework of Lenin’s Late View of Culture

二、列宁晚年文化观的逻辑架构

The core of Lenin’s late view of culture lies in responding to the broad spiritual and intellectual needs of the Russian people. Especially during the period of the New Economic Policy, he deepened his understanding of socialist cultural construction in a series of works and further integrated cultural development into the overall framework of national construction, advancing it in tandem with political and economic construction, making it one of the important tasks for Russia’s transition to socialism.

列宁晚年文化观的建构核心在于回应俄国民众广泛的精神与思想需求。特别是在新经济政策时期，他在一系列著作中深化了对社会主义文化建设的理解，并进一步将文化发展纳入国家建设的整体框架，使其与政治、经济建设同步推进，成为俄国向社会主义过渡的重要任务之一。

(I) The Scientific Method of the Framework of Lenin’s Late View of Culture

(一)列宁晚年文化观架构的科学方法

In his later years, Lenin increasingly emphasized the use of the analytical method of historical materialism to deeply investigate the backward factors in Russian culture and their adverse effects on socialist construction and the governance of the Communist Party. Drawing on the basic principles of Marxist cultural theory, Lenin systematically analyzed Russia’s national history, specific production and life, and deeper forms of civilization, focusing on customs, psychology, and social habits within cultural traditions.

列宁晚年愈发重视运用历史唯物主义的分析方法，深入探究俄国文化中存在的落后因素及其对社会主义建设和共产党执政的不利影响。借助马克思主义文化学说的基本原理，列宁系统分析了俄国的民族历史、具体生产生活以及更深层次的文明形态，重点研究了文化传统中的习俗、心理和社会习惯等。

First, using a materialist perspective, he systematically elaborated the dialectical relationship between culture, economy, and politics. Culture, as a reflection of socio-economic and political phenomena at the conceptual level, has its development and evolution closely related to the actual state of productive forces and the real changes in the socio-economic and political spheres. In Lenin’s view, “Before this, sociologists were unable to go down to such simple and primary relations as relations of production, and directly proceeded to investigate and study political and legal forms, stopping when they encountered the fact that these forms were generated by certain human ideas of the time… Materialism continued to analyze further and discovered the very origin of these social ideas of man.” [20]20 V. I. Lenin, “What the ‘Friends of the People’ Are and How They Fight the Social-Democrats,” *Collected Works*, Vol. 1, p. 137. Based on this view, while promoting economic and political changes, Lenin also actively advanced Russia’s “cultural revolution,” thereby fostering the comprehensive development of socialist construction.

一是运用唯物主义观点，系统阐述了文化与经济、政治之间的辩证关系。文化作为社会经济和政治现象在观念层面的反映，其发展和演变与生产力的实际状况以及社会经济、政治领域的现实变革密切相关。在列宁看来，“在这以前，社会学家不善于往下探究像生产关系这样简单和这样原始的关系，而直接着手探讨和研究政治法律形式，一碰到这些形式是由当时人类某种思想产生的事实，就停了下来……唯物主义继续深入分析，发现了人的这些社会思想本身的起源”。基于这一观点，列宁在推动经济、政治变革的同时，也积极推动俄国的“文化革命”，从而促进社会主义建设的全面发展。

Second, using the theory of society as an organic whole, he understood and reflected on cultural issues from a holistic perspective. In Lenin’s view, society is an organic whole in the process of historical development, encompassing political, economic, cultural, and social aspects. He pointed out: “In Marx’s words… the dialectical method requires us to regard society as a living organism in the process of activity and development.” [21]21 V. I. Lenin, “What the ‘Friends of the People’ Are and How They Fight the Social-Democrats,” *Collected Works*, Vol. 1, p. 165. Therefore, when analyzing cultural issues, Lenin did not limit himself to culture itself but placed it within the overall layout of socialist construction for consideration. This perspective broke through the single framework of cultural research and provided a viable path for cultural development for backward countries.

二是运用社会有机体理论，从整体视角理解和思考文化问题。在列宁看来，社会是一个处于历史发展进程中的有机整体，涵盖政治、经济、文化和社会各个方面。他指出:“用马克思的话来说……辩证方法要我们把社会看做活动着和发展着的活的机体。”因此，在分析文化问题时，列宁并未局限于文化本身，而是将其置于社会主义建设的总体布局中加以考量。这一视角突破了单一的文化研究框架，为落后国家提供了一条行之有效的文化发展路径。

Third, based on the actual conditions of Russian society, he explored the specific laws of cultural construction and development. Any particular social form both follows the universal laws of human social development and has its own unique development model. Culture, as an important carrier of social ideology, also embodies this combination of universality and particularity. Based on this understanding, Lenin conducted an in-depth investigation of the specific conditions of Russian society, studied the long-term nature and regularity of cultural phenomena, and emphasized that “the completion of cultural tasks cannot be as rapid as the completion of political and military tasks.” [22]22 V. I. Lenin, “On Cooperation,” *Collected Works*, Vol. 33, p. 474. This assertion profoundly reveals the unique challenges faced by socialist countries in the process of cultural construction and the development of advanced culture.

三是立足于俄国社会的现实状况，探索文化建设发展的特殊规律。任何特定的社会形态，既遵循人类社会发展的普遍规律，也具有自身独特的发展模式。文化，作为社会意识形态的重要载体，同样体现了这种普遍性与特殊性的结合。基于这一认识，列宁深入考察俄国社会的具体情况，研究文化现象的长期性和规律性，并强调“文化任务的完成不可能像政治任务和军事任务那样迅速”。这一论断深刻揭示了社会主义国家在文化建设和发展先进文化过程中所面临的独特挑战。

(II) Practical Considerations in the Framework of Lenin’s Late View of Culture

(二)列宁晚年文化观架构的现实考量

Lenin’s reflections on Russian cultural issues demonstrate a high degree of self-awareness, a critical attitude, and a profound insight into the problems of the era, and are closely linked to the practice of the Russian proletarian revolution and socialist construction. With the complete crushing of foreign armed intervention and the victorious conclusion of the civil war, Soviet Russia entered a new stage of peaceful construction. Lenin pointed out: “After solving the greatest political tasks of transformation in the world, we are now faced with another type of task, which can be called the ‘small’ cultural tasks.” [23]23 V. I. Lenin, “Pages from a Diary,” *Collected Works*, Vol. 33, p. 429. At this historical stage, based on the reality of Russia’s widespread cultural backwardness, Lenin emphasized the core role of cultural construction in socialist development and placed it on an equal footing with economic and political construction.

列宁对俄国文化问题的思考，体现出高度的自觉意识、批判态度和对时代问题的深刻洞察，并与俄国无产阶级革命和社会主义建设的实践紧密相连。随着外国武装干涉彻底被粉碎和国内战争的胜利结束，苏维埃俄国进入和平建设的新阶段。列宁指出:“在解决了世界上最伟大的政治变革的任务以后，摆在我们面前的已是另一类任务，即可称为‘小事情’的文化任务。”在这一历史阶段，列宁基于俄国文化普遍落后的现实，强调文化建设在社会主义发展中的核心作用，并将其置于与经济建设、政治建设同等重要的位置。

Before the October Revolution, Russia suffered from serious deficiencies in political ideology, public cultural services, and the literacy level of its inhabitants; the overall cultural foundation of society was weak. After the victory of the revolution, although the Bolshevik Party vigorously promoted social and cultural construction, cultural backwardness continued to severely constrain Russia’s socialist construction. With the implementation of the New Economic Policy, Russia’s socialist construction unfolded in all respects. Lenin pointed out: “The New Economic Policy provides full economic and political guarantees for the possibility of building the foundations of a socialist economy. The question ‘only’ lies in the cultural strength of the proletariat and its vanguard.” [24]24 Lenin, “On Cooperation,” *Collected Works*, vol. 43, p. 363. [This is a standard citation format for Lenin’s works; the specific volume and page numbers may vary by edition.] This indicates that cultural construction is not only closely related to economic development and political transformation but is also a key link in advancing the socialist cause. In response to the reality of cultural backwardness, Lenin put forward a series of solutions and emphasized that cultural development is an important support for socialist construction. He stated: “Since the building of socialism requires a certain level of culture (although nobody can say exactly what this ‘certain level of culture’ is, for it differs in various West European countries), why cannot we first use revolutionary means to achieve the prerequisites for reaching this certain level, and then, on the basis of the workers’ and peasants’ power and the Soviet system, catch up with other peoples?” [25]25 Lenin, “Our Revolution (On the Notes of N. Sukhanov),” *Collected Works*, vol. 45, p. 381. This exposition fully reflects Lenin’s profound consideration of the practical problems of cultural construction, namely, that after the establishment of proletarian political power, cultural development is both one of the goals of socialist construction and an important means of achieving this goal. At the same time, Lenin emphasized, “Because our country is culturally backward, we cannot use a frontal attack to eliminate capitalism”; this requires “intermediate paths, methods, means, and auxiliary measures to enable the transition from pre-capitalist relations to socialism.” [26]26 Lenin, “On the Significance of Militant Materialism,” *Collected Works*, vol. 45, p. 23. Guided by this thinking, Lenin not only conducted an in-depth discussion of the core issues of cultural construction during the transitional period but also proposed corresponding policy measures to actively promote the construction of a socialist cultural system.

十月革命前，俄国在政治意识形态、公共文化服务和居民识字水平等方面存在严重不足，社会整体文化基础薄弱。革命胜利后，尽管布尔什维克党大力推动社会文化建设，但文化落后依然严重制约着俄国的社会主义建设。随着新经济政策的实施，俄国社会主义建设全面展开。列宁指出:“新经济政策在经济上和政治上都充分保证我们有可能建立社会主义经济的基础。问题‘只’在于无产阶级及其先锋队的文化力量。”这表明，文化建设不仅与经济发展和政治变革密切相关，也是推动社会主义事业的关键环节。针对文化落后的现实，列宁提出了一系列解决方案，并强调文化发展是社会主义建设的重要支撑。他指出:“既然建立社会主义需要有一定的文化水平(虽然谁也说不出这个一定的‘文化水平’究竟是什么样的，因为这在各个西欧国家都是不同的)，我们为什么不能首先用革命手段取得达到这个一定水平的前提，然后在工农政权和苏维埃制度的基础上赶上别国人民呢?”这一论述充分体现了列宁对文化建设现实问题的深刻考量，即在无产阶级政权建立后，文化的发展既是社会主义建设的目标之一，也是实现这一目标的重要手段。同时，列宁强调，“由于我国文化落后，我们不能用正面攻击来消灭资本主义”,这就需要“中间的途径、方法、手段和辅助办法，才能使资本主义以前的各种关系过渡到社会主义”。在这一思想指导下，列宁不仅对过渡时期文化建设的核心问题进行了深入探讨，还提出了相应的政策措施，积极推动社会主义文化体系的构建。

(III) The Theoretical Depth of the Framework of Lenin’s Late-Life View of Culture

(三)列宁晚年文化观架构的理论纵深

On the basis of the effective application of scientific theoretical methods and a deep understanding of Russia’s actual conditions, Lenin in his later years placed cultural construction even more prominently at the core of socialist construction. He put forward a series of theoretical conceptions, such as implementing a literacy and anti-illiteracy campaign, promoting rural cultural development, and raising the cultural quality of the cadre corps, aiming to shape a new socialist civilization through a “cultural revolution” and create the necessary conditions for the realization of communism.

在科学理论方法的有效运用和对俄国现实情况的深入理解基础上，列宁晚年更加突出地将文化建设置于社会主义建设的核心位置。他提出实施扫盲识字运动、推动农村文化发展、提升干部队伍文化素质等一系列理论构想，旨在通过“文化革命”塑造社会主义新文明，为共产主义的实现创造必要条件。

First, expanding and enriching the overall thinking on socialist cultural construction. After the implementation of the New Economic Policy, Russia made significant progress in socialist economic construction, but the lag in cultural level became a major obstacle to comprehensively advancing socialist construction. Lenin pointed out: “In a country of illiterates, it is impossible to build a communist society.” [27]27 Lenin, “The Tasks of the Youth Leagues,” *Collected Works*, vol. 41, p. 309. Raising the cultural level of the masses is an important foundation for promoting socialist economic construction. Whether it is advancing national industrialization or guiding peasants toward cooperation, it must be premised on raising the cultural level of the masses: “Without a cultural revolution, complete cooperation is impossible.” [28]28 Lenin, “On Cooperation,” *Collected Works*, vol. 43, p. 364.

一是拓展和丰富社会主义文化建设的整体思路。在实施新经济政策后，俄国在社会主义经济建设方面取得显著进展，但文化水平的滞后成为全面推进社会主义建设的重大阻碍。列宁指出:“在一个文盲的国家里是不能建成共产主义社会的。”提高群众的文化水平是推动社会主义经济建设的重要基础，无论是推进国家工业化还是引导农民走向合作化，都必须以提高群众的文化水平为前提，“没有一场文化革命，要完全合作化是不可能的”。

Second, exploring and clarifying the ideological principles of socialist cultural construction. Lenin emphasized, “The younger the socialist movement in a given country, the more actively it must fight against all attempts to consolidate non-socialist ideology.” [29]29 Lenin, “What Is to Be Done?” *Collected Works*, vol. 6, p. 40. This view is based on the nature of the state power of the proletarian dictatorship, emphasizing that socialist culture must adhere to the guidance of Marxist theory in order to effectively resist the erosion of backward ideas, promote innovation in socialist culture, and ensure that “Communists neither fall into illusions nor lose heart, but maintain the vitality and flexibility of the organism.” [30]30 Lenin, “The Immediate Tasks of the Soviet Government,” *Collected Works*, vol. 36, p. 187.

二是探索和明确社会主义文化建设的思想原则。列宁强调，“某一个国家中的社会主义运动愈年轻，也就应当愈积极地同一切巩固非社会主义意识形态的企图作斗争”。这一观点基于无产阶级专政的国家政权属性，强调社会主义文化必须坚持马克思主义理论指导，才能有效抵御落后思想的侵蚀，推动社会主义文化创新，使“共产党员既不陷入错觉，也不灰心失望，一直保持着机体的活力和灵活性”。

Third, highlighting the issue of leadership in socialist cultural construction. The working class is not only the vanguard force in the political and military spheres but should also play a core role in cultural construction. Only by continuously cultivating cultural strength and strengthening cultural influence and dissemination capacity can the situation of cultural backwardness be effectively addressed and the risk of possible cultural degeneration within the class be prevented. Lenin profoundly stated: “The proletariat, through its vanguard, the Communist Party, and all proletarian organizations, should participate in the entire national education undertaking as the most active and most important force.” [31]31 Lenin, “On the Work of the People’s Commissariat for Education,” *Collected Works*, vol. 42, p. 322. This exposition clarifies the dominant position of the proletariat in cultural construction and highlights its core role in shaping socialist ideology.

三是突出社会主义文化建设的领导权问题。工人阶级不仅是政治和军事领域的先锋力量，也应在文化建设方面发挥核心作用。通过持续培育文化力量，强化文化影响力和传播力，才能有效应对文化落后状况，并防止阶级内部可能出现的文化蜕化风险。列宁深刻指出:“无产阶级，通过它的先锋队共产党和所有无产阶级组织，应当作为最积极最主要的力量参与整个国民教育事业。”这一论述明确了无产阶级在文化建设中的主导地位，突出其在塑造社会主义意识形态中的核心作用。

(IV) Systematic Summary of the Framework of Lenin’s Late-Life View of Culture

(四)列宁晚年文化观架构的系统概括

In his later years, Lenin conducted an in-depth analysis of many fundamental issues of socialist cultural construction, covering different aspects such as the role, goals, and paths of cultural construction, forming a systematic and complete theoretical framework.

列宁晚年对社会主义文化建设的诸多根本性问题进行了深度分析，涵盖了文化建设的作用、目标、途径等不同方面，形成了一个系统完整的理论框架。

First, the important role of socialist cultural construction. Raising the cultural level of the masses is crucial for the development of socialist democratic politics. Lenin pointed out: “An illiterate person stands outside politics; first, he must be taught to read and write. Without literacy, there can be no politics; without literacy, there can only be rumors, lies, and prejudices, but no politics.” [32]32 Lenin, “The New Economic Policy and the Tasks of the Political Education Departments,” *Collected Works*, vol. 42, p. 196. This shows that although proletarian democracy grants the broad masses genuine political rights, the low cultural level limits the masses’ ability and initiative to participate in state management. In response to this problem, Lenin emphasized: “Illiteracy must of course be eliminated, but mere literacy is not enough; what is needed is a cultural literacy that can teach people to fight against red tape and corruption.” [33]33 Lenin, “The New Economic Policy and the Tasks of the Political Education Departments,” *Collected Works*, vol. 42, p. 197. Therefore, he called on the broad masses to diligently study scientific and cultural knowledge and cultivate new people capable of meeting the needs of socialist development.

一是社会主义文化建设的重要作用。提高群众的文化水平对于社会主义民主政治的发展至关重要。列宁指出:“文盲是处在政治之外的，必须先教他们识字。不识字就不可能有政治，不识字只能有流言蜚语、谎话偏见，而没有政治。”这表明，尽管无产阶级民主赋予了广大群众真正的政治权利，但文化水平的低下限制了群众参与国家管理的能力和主动性。针对这一问题，列宁强调:“文盲固然应当扫除，但仅仅识字还不够，还要有能教人们同拖拉作风和贪污受贿行为作斗争的文化素养。”因此，他号召广大群众努力学习科学文化知识，培养能够适应社会主义发展需求的新人。

Second, the goals and tasks of socialist cultural construction. Based on Russia’s special national conditions in his later years, Lenin proposed that “raising the cultural level is one of the most urgent tasks” [34]34 Lenin, “On Cooperation,” *Collected Works*, vol. 43, p. 362. and discussed the core goals of socialist cultural construction from multiple levels. Specifically, these goals mainly involve fields such as education, science, literature, and art, covering a wide range of content from the popularization of basic education to scientific and technological innovation. These goals are interrelated and together reflect Lenin’s strategic thinking and theoretical exploration in addressing the problem of cultural backwardness and promoting the development of advanced culture.

二是社会主义文化建设的目标任务。列宁晚年基于俄国的特殊国情，提出“提高文化水平是最迫切的任务之一”,并从多个层面论述了社会主义文化建设的核心目标。具体而言，这些目标主要涉及教育、科学、文学艺术等领域，涵盖从基础教育普及到科学技术创新的广泛内容。这些目标相互关联，共同反映了列宁在解决文化落后问题、推动先进文化发展方面的战略思考和理论探索。

Third, the practical paths of socialist cultural construction. Cultural transformation and construction tasks are complex and arduous, requiring long-term accumulation and development. Lenin pointed out: “Reforming the small peasant, transforming their entire psychology and habits, requires several generations of effort”; [35]35 Lenin, “On Cooperation,” *Collected Works*, vol. 43, p. 365. this means that cultural construction cannot be accomplished overnight but must follow the laws of social development and advance steadily. At the same time, he emphasized, “The old Oblomov [36]36 Oblomov is the protagonist of Ivan Goncharov’s novel *Oblomov* (1859), a lazy and apathetic Russian landowner, used by Lenin as a symbol of cultural backwardness and inertia. still exists; such people must be scrubbed and beaten for a long time before any effect is produced.” [37]37 Lenin, “On the Significance of Militant Materialism,” *Collected Works*, vol. 45, p. 24. This shows that cultural construction requires not only institutional guarantees but also long-term social practice and ideological education. In this process, Lenin proposed, “We should adapt ourselves to this longer period, plan our work accordingly, and develop a spirit of perseverance, indomitability, and consistency.” [38]38 Lenin, “The Immediate Tasks of the Soviet Government,” *Collected Works*, vol. 36, p. 188. Cultural development must proceed step by step, avoiding rash and impetuous advances; otherwise, it will affect the steady progress of socialist construction. Therefore, he clearly stated, “On cultural questions, rashness and impetuosity are the most harmful.” [39]39 Lenin, “On Cooperation,” *Collected Works*, vol. 43, p. 365.

三是社会主义文化建设的实践路径。文化变革与建设任务复杂而艰巨，需要经历长期的积累和发展。列宁指出:“改革小农，改造他们的整个心理和习惯，这件事需要花几代人的时间”,这意味着，文化建设无法一蹴而就，必须遵循社会发展规律，稳步推进。同时，他还强调，“老奥勃洛摩夫仍然存在，对这种人必须长时间搓洗敲打，才会产生一些效果”。这表明文化建设不仅需要制度性保障，还必须辅以长期的社会实践和思想教育。在这一过程中，列宁提出，“应该使自己适应这个较长的时期，据此规划我们的工作，发扬坚韧不拔、不屈不挠、始终如一的精神”。文化发展必须循序渐进，避免急躁冒进，否则将影响社会主义建设的稳步推进。因此，他明确指出，“在文化问题上，急躁冒进是最有害的”。

III. Practical Implications of Lenin’s Late-Life View of Culture

三、列宁晚年文化观的现实启示

In the process of deepening the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics, China is facing a series of unprecedented challenges in cultural construction. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: “We must adhere to the path of socialist cultural development with Chinese characteristics, promote advanced socialist culture, deepen the reform of the cultural system, promote the great development and flourishing of socialist culture, enhance the cultural creativity of the entire nation, and allow all sources of cultural creation to flow fully.” [40]40 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the Opening Ceremony of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China,” October 18, 2017. This requirement emphasizes the important position of cultural construction in national development and responds to the practical needs of the socialist modernization process. To this end, it is necessary to deeply draw on the theoretical insights of Lenin’s late-life view of culture, combine them with the actual situation of China’s current cultural development, innovate the strategic layout and overall planning of cultural policy, and promote the coordinated advancement and mutual reinforcement of cultural construction and economic and social development.

在中国特色社会主义事业深入推进的过程中，中国正面临一系列前所未有的文化建设挑战。习近平总书记指出:“要坚持走中国特色社会主义文化发展道路，弘扬社会主义先进文化，深化文化体制改革，推动社会主义文化大发展大繁荣，增强全民族文化创造活力，让一切文化创造源泉充分涌流。”这一要求强调了文化建设在国家发展中的重要地位，呼应了社会主义现代化进程的现实需求。为此，有必要深入借鉴列宁晚年文化观的理论洞见，并结合中国当前文化发展的实际情况，创新文化政策的战略布局和总体规划，推动文化建设与经济社会发展协同推进、相互促进。

(I) Adhere to Independence and Self-Reliance, Promote the Flourishing of Socialist Culture

(一)坚持独立自主，推动社会主义文化繁荣

In Lenin’s late exposition on the construction of socialist culture, he delved deeply into the issue of the independence and integrity of the development of Russian national culture. Through the historical practice of promoting national cultural construction, Lenin effectively consolidated national sentiment, carried forward the national spirit, and promoted the unity, solidarity, and flourishing development of all ethnic groups in the country. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: “For any culture to stand firm, go far, and have guiding, cohesive, shaping, and radiating power, it must possess its own subjectivity.” [41]41 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the Symposium on Cultural Inheritance and Development” (June 2, 2023). Cultural subjectivity is a characteristic formed by a nation and a people in the long course of historical evolution, embodied in aspects such as cultural traditions, values, and ideology and morality. The subjectivity of Chinese culture is the spiritual pillar for the unceasing vitality of the Chinese nation. It is manifested not only in the behavioral norms and social rules shaped by values such as emphasis on family harmony, integrity, and respect, but also in the social organizational forms and governance systems constructed by the ritual system and the imperial examination system. [42]42 The imperial examination system (keju) was a civil service examination system in imperial China used to select candidates for the state bureaucracy, based on merit and knowledge of Confucian classics. These characteristics have shaped the unique cultural genes of Chinese civilization, enabling it to maintain continuity and stability amid changes of the times. Therefore, consolidating the subjectivity of Chinese culture is not only the foundation for the continuation of Chinese civilization but also an important support for strengthening cultural confidence and promoting cultural prosperity.

在列宁晚年对社会主义文化建设的阐释中，他深入探讨了俄国民族文化发展的独立性和完整性问题。列宁通过推动民族文化建设的历史实践，有效凝聚了民族情感，发扬了民族精神，促进了国家各民族的团结统一和繁荣发展。习近平总书记指出:“任何文化要立得住、行得远，要有引领力、凝聚力、塑造力、辐射力，就必须有自己的主体性。”文化主体性是国家和民族在长期历史演进过程中形成的特质，体现在文化传统、价值观念和思想道德等方面。中华文化的主体性是中华民族生生不息的精神支柱，既体现在重视家庭和谐、诚信尊重等价值观塑造出的行为准则与社会规范，也体现于礼仪制度、科举制度所构建的社会组织方式与治理体系。这些特质塑造了中华文明独特的文化基因，使其在时代变迁中始终保持延续性与稳定性。因此，巩固中华文化的主体性，不仅是中华文明得以延续的根基，也是坚定文化自信、推动文化繁荣的重要支撑。

Cultural prosperity is an important hallmark of national prosperity. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized: “Socialism with Chinese characteristics is a great cause of comprehensive development and comprehensive progress. Without the flourishing development of socialist culture, there can be no socialist modernization.” Against the backdrop of economic globalization, the impact and influence of various foreign cultures are becoming increasingly evident. Maintaining the autonomy and independence of socialist cultural construction, and adhering to the foundations and characteristics of socialist cultural development, are key to achieving cultural prosperity. First, ensure the leadership of the Communist Party of China over socialist cultural construction, and consolidate the cultural forces that lead the times. Party leadership is the fundamental guarantee for the development of socialist culture, providing solid organizational support and political guidance for cultural construction. It is necessary to uphold the Party’s leading position in cultural development, while promoting cultural construction under the principles of openness, transparency, and responsibility. Adhering to the principles of legality, fairness, and democracy, respect the principal position and right of choice of the people in cultural construction, and promote socialist culture to keep pace with the times in terms of ideas, behavioral norms, spiritual outlook, and social customs. Second, actively promote the construction of a culture of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and consolidate the practical foundation for cultural confidence. Socialist culture is an important part of the socialist spiritual bloodline, embodying the unique cultural charm of a socialist country, and is of great significance for enhancing national unity, stimulating innovative vitality, and improving the international image. Strengthen education, propaganda, and public opinion guidance, raise society’s level of awareness and sense of identification with socialist culture, and enhance the appeal and cohesion of socialist ideology; deeply excavate the ideological wisdom and spiritual connotations of socialist culture, raise the cultural literacy and moral standards of the entire nation, and further stimulate innovation and creativity; fully utilize the resource advantages of socialist culture, promote the coordinated development of the cultural industry and cultural undertakings, and continuously enhance the country’s cultural soft power. Third, deepen the reform of the cultural system and mechanism, and build a sound public cultural service system. The reform of the cultural system is a complex and systematic project involving multiple fields and levels. It is of great significance for adapting to the development trends of information technology, enriching the people’s spiritual and cultural life, and enhancing the country’s cultural governance capacity. Guided by the spirit of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Party, [43]43 The Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the CPC, held in July 2024, focused on further deepening reform comprehensively to advance Chinese modernization. deepen the reform of the cultural system and mechanism, continuously optimize the supply model of cultural services, and improve the efficiency of cultural resource allocation. Specifically, improve the public cultural service system, increase financial investment, and raise the construction level and service capacity of public cultural facilities; perfect policies and regulations for cultural construction, promote the rational allocation of cultural resources, and improve resource utilization efficiency; strengthen the cultivation of cultural talent, improve incentive mechanisms, optimize the development environment for cultural talent, and provide strong talent support for the socialist cultural cause.

文化繁荣是国家繁荣的重要标志。习近平总书记强调:“中国特色社会主义是全面发展、全面进步的伟大事业，没有社会主义文化繁荣发展，就没有社会主义现代化。”在经济全球化背景下，各种外来文化的冲击与影响日益显现，保持社会主义文化建设的自主性和独立性，坚守社会主义文化发展的根基和特色，是实现文化繁荣的关键。第一，确保中国共产党对社会主义文化建设的领导权，凝聚引领时代的文化力量。党的领导是社会主义文化发展的根本保障，为文化建设提供坚实的组织支撑和政治引领。必须坚持党对文化发展的领导地位，同时推动文化建设在开放、透明、负责任的原则下进行。坚持合法性、公正性和民主性原则，尊重人民群众在文化建设中的主体地位和选择权，推动社会主义文化在思想观念、行为规范、精神风貌和文明风尚等方面与时俱进。第二，积极推进中国特色社会主义文化建设，夯实文化自信的现实基础。社会主义文化是社会主义精神血脉的重要组成部分，体现了社会主义国家的独特文化魅力，对增强民族团结、激发创新活力、提升国际形象具有重要意义。加强教育宣传和舆论引导，提高社会对社会主义文化的认知水平和认同感，增强社会主义意识形态的吸引力和凝聚力;深入挖掘社会主义文化的思想智慧和精神内涵，提升全民族的文化素养和道德水平，进一步激发创新创造活力;充分利用社会主义文化的资源优势，促进文化产业和文化事业的协同发展，持续增强国家文化软实力。第三，深化文化体制机制改革，构建健全的公共文化服务体系。文化制度体系的改革是一个复杂而系统的工程，涉及多个领域和层面，对于适应信息技术发展趋势、丰富人民精神文化生活、提升国家文化治理能力具有重要意义。以党的二十届三中全会精神为指导，深化文化体制机制改革，不断优化文化服务供给模式，提高文化资源配置效率。具体而言，健全文化公共服务体系，加大财政投入，提升公共文化设施的建设水平和服务能力;完善文化建设的政策法规，促进文化资源合理配置，提高资源利用效率;加强文化人才培养，健全激励机制，优化文化人才发展环境，为社会主义文化事业提供强有力的人才支撑。

(II) Uphold openness and inclusiveness, and build a socialist cultural power.

(二)秉持开放包容，建设社会主义文化强国

In his late years, based on an in-depth analysis of Russia’s social and cultural conditions and the cultural level of the proletariat, Lenin discussed from multiple angles the importance of absorbing and drawing on outstanding cultural heritage, and emphasized the development of socialist culture while critically inheriting the culture left by capitalism, thereby enriching the theoretical system of socialist cultural construction. “The broad and magnificent atmosphere of Chinese civilization benefits from the open posture and inclusive mind of Chinese culture since ancient times.” The openness of Chinese culture is manifested not only in its tolerance and absorption of diverse cultures but also in its inheritance and innovation of historical culture, as well as the mutual integration of national culture, regional culture, and foreign cultures. This characteristic not only highlights the ideological tradition of “harmonious coexistence” in Chinese culture but also nurtures a cultural mind that embraces all and coexists peacefully. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized: “We must adhere to the path of cultural development of socialism with Chinese characteristics, stimulate the cultural innovation and creativity of the entire nation, and build a socialist cultural power.” This requires that, in promoting cultural construction, we extensively absorb outstanding cultural achievements of humanity, respect the customs, traditions, values, and ideological systems of different cultures, transcend the “ancient-modern, Chinese-Western debate,” [44]44 The “ancient-modern, Chinese-Western debate” (古今中西之争) refers to a long-standing intellectual controversy in modern China over how to reconcile traditional Chinese culture with Western modernity. promote the deep integration of different cultures, and lay a solid foundation for building a socialist cultural power.

列宁晚年在深入分析俄国社会文化状况及无产阶级文化水平的基础上，从多个角度论述了吸纳和借鉴优秀文化遗产的重要性，并强调在批判继承资本主义遗留文化的同时，发展社会主义文化，以此丰富社会主义文化建设的理论体系。“中华文明的博大气象，就得益于中华文化自古以来开放的姿态、包容的胸怀。”中华文化的开放性不仅体现在对多元文化的包容与吸收，也表现在对历史文化的继承与创新，以及民族文化、地域文化与外来文化的相互交融。这一特质不仅彰显了中华文化“和合共存”的思想传统，也孕育了兼收并蓄、和平共处的文化胸怀。习近平总书记强调:“要坚持中国特色社会主义文化发展道路，激发全民族文化创新创造活力，建设社会主义文化强国。”这要求我们在推动文化建设的过程中，广泛吸收人类优秀文化成果，尊重不同文化的习俗传统、价值理念和思想体系，超越“古今中西之争”，促进不同文化的深度融合，为社会主义文化强国建设奠定坚实基础。

On the one hand, uphold core socialist values and guide the direction of cultural development. Adhering to the guidance of core socialist values is key to enhancing the cohesion and appeal of socialist culture. Core socialist values not only encompass basic moral norms and behavioral rules but also align with spiritual qualities such as the family-nation sentiment, loyalty, and dedication found in fine traditional Chinese culture, together forming the ideological core and spiritual foundation of socialist culture. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized: “Strengthen the construction of socialist cultural-ethical progress, and integrate core socialist values into all aspects of social development.” Guided by core socialist values, this not only helps consolidate the social moral system but also promotes cultural inheritance, enhances civic quality, and drives harmonious social development. First, build a good social moral foundation and consolidate the value support for the development of socialist culture. By strengthening education and propaganda, guide citizens to consciously practice social ethics, promote the formation of a social trend of respecting virtue and doing good, and enable socialist culture to play a greater role in practice. Second, enrich cultural connotations and enhance the ideological appeal of socialist culture. Combining the development needs of the times, present the spirit of the times through diverse cultural carriers, create a positive and uplifting cultural atmosphere, and make socialist culture more vibrant and dynamic. Third, promote social harmony and enhance the vitality of socialist culture. Use core socialist values to promote social harmony, family harmony, and harmony between humans and nature, provide value guidance for promoting fairness and justice, optimizing interpersonal relationships, and advancing green and sustainable development, and ultimately achieve positive interactions between people, between people and society, and between people and nature.

一方面，坚持社会主义核心价值观，引领文化发展方向。坚持以社会主义核心价值观为引领，是增强社会主义文化凝聚力和感召力的关键。社会主义核心价值观既涵盖基本道德准则和行为规范，也与中华优秀传统文化中的家国情怀、忠诚奉献等精神品质相契合，共同构成社会主义文化的思想内核与精神基础。习近平总书记强调:“加强社会主义精神文明建设，把社会主义核心价值观融入社会发展各方面。”以社会主义核心价值观为引导，不仅有助于巩固社会道德体系，还能促进文化传承、提升公民素质，并推动社会和谐发展。第一，构建良好社会道德基础，巩固社会主义文化发展的价值支撑。通过加强教育宣传，引导公民自觉践行社会公德，推动形成崇德向善的社会风尚，使社会主义文化在实践中发挥更大作用。第二，丰富文化内涵，增强社会主义文化的思想吸引力。结合时代发展需求，以多元文化载体呈现时代精神，营造积极向上的文化氛围，使社会主义文化更具生机活力。第三，促进社会和谐，提升社会主义文化的生命力。以社会主义核心价值观推动社会和谐、家庭和谐、人与自然和谐，为促进公平正义、优化人际关系、推动绿色可持续发展提供价值引导，最终实现人与人、人与社会、人与自然的良性互动。

On the other hand, we must adhere to the foundation of fine traditional Chinese culture and enhance cultural communication capacity and international influence. Against the backdrop of economic globalization and the coexistence of multiple cultures, cultural exchanges between countries are becoming increasingly close, and the international dissemination of Chinese culture faces new opportunities and challenges. To enhance the communication capacity and influence of Chinese culture, it is necessary to address cultural differences with an open and inclusive attitude. While absorbing and drawing on the outstanding achievements of other cultures, we must promote the creative transformation and innovative development of fine traditional Chinese culture, enabling it to demonstrate greater vitality within the international cultural system. First, promote the popularization of fine traditional Chinese culture and expand international channels of recognition. As important carriers of Chinese culture, porcelain, the Chinese knot, the Spring Festival, the Mid-Autumn Festival, and others not only bear profound cultural connotations but also serve as key markers of Chinese culture. We should fully leverage the forces of educational institutions, cultural organizations, enterprises, and others, and through means such as educational promotion of Chinese culture, cultural activity planning, and support for cultural industries, enable traditional culture to be more broadly integrated into social life. At the same time, expand overseas communication platforms, utilizing diverse forms such as new media, documentaries, and cultural exhibitions to enhance the international community’s understanding and recognition of Chinese culture. Second, deepen the interactive integration of Chinese culture with world cultures and enhance the vitality of cultural innovation. While protecting and inheriting fine traditional Chinese culture, we should actively absorb elements from foreign cultures, promote the development of cultural forms through integrated innovation, and enable Chinese culture to present a richer face on the international stage. By organizing activities such as cultural exhibitions, artistic performances, and academic exchanges, inviting international participants, and deeply interpreting the core values of Chinese culture, we can enable people from all countries to understand its unique charm through interactive experiences. Through this cross-cultural integration, we promote mutual learning between Chinese culture and world cultures and drive the flourishing development of global culture.

另一方面，坚持中华优秀传统文化基底，增强文化传播力与国际影响力。在经济全球化和多元文化并存的背景下，国家间的文化交流日益密切，中华文化的国际传播面临新的机遇与挑战。增强中华文化的传播力与影响力，需要以开放包容的心态应对文化差异，在吸收和借鉴其他文化优秀成果的同时，推动中华优秀传统文化的创造性转化和创新性发展，使其在国际文化体系中展现更强的生命力。第一，推动中华优秀传统文化的大众化传播，拓展国际认知渠道。作为中华文化的重要载体，瓷器、中国结、春节、中秋节等不仅承载着深厚的文化内涵，也成为中华文化的重要标识。充分发挥教育机构、文化组织、企业等多方力量，通过中华文化的教育推广、文化活动策划、文化产业扶持等手段，使传统文化更广泛地融入社会生活。同时，拓展海外传播平台，借助新媒体、纪录片、文化展览等多元形式，增强国际社会对中华文化的了解和认同。第二，深化中华文化与世界文化的互动融合，增强文化创新活力。在保护和传承中华优秀传统文化的同时，应积极吸收外来文化元素，以融合创新推动文化形态的发展，使中华文化在国际舞台上展现更丰富的面貌。通过举办文化展览、艺术演出、学术交流等活动，邀请国际友人参与，深入解读中华文化的核心价值，使世界各国民众在互动体验中理解其独特魅力。通过这种跨文化融合，促进中华文化与世界文化的互学互鉴，推动全球文化的繁荣发展。

(3) Practice upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground, and develop advanced socialist culture

(三)践行守正创新，发展社会主义先进文化

In his later years, Lenin, on the basis of summarizing the practice of the Russian socialist revolution and construction, deeply analyzed the developmental characteristics of capitalist culture and traditional Russian culture, and put forward innovative ideas on socialist cultural construction. Chinese culture has been able to endure for thousands of years and continue to radiate vitality precisely because of its inherent spirit of innovation. General Secretary Xi Jinping points out: “We must base ourselves on China, face modernization, face the world, face the future, consolidate the guiding position of Marxism in the ideological domain, and develop advanced socialist culture.” [45]45 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the Symposium on the Work of Philosophy and Social Sciences” (May 17, 2016). Developing advanced socialist culture requires actively practicing the innovative character of Chinese culture, using modern communication means and innovative paths to advance the development of cultural industries, cultural education, cultural propaganda, and other fields in step with the times, so that socialist culture continuously radiates new vitality and vigor. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasizes: “Cultural workers in the New Era must, with the integrity and courage to uphold fundamental principles and break new ground, continue the historical lineage and write a contemporary chapter.” [46]46 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the Symposium on Cultural Heritage and Development” (June 2, 2023). This exposition highlights the dialectical unity of upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground, providing a basic guideline for cultural construction in the New Era. In the construction of socialist culture, it is necessary to grasp the special laws of the development of culture with Chinese characteristics, find the positioning and direction of cultural development in upholding fundamental principles, conform to and lead the trends of the times through innovation, and on this basis continuously promote the modern development of advanced socialist culture.

列宁晚年在总结俄国社会主义革命和建设实践的基础上，深入剖析了资本主义文化与俄国传统文化的发展特征，提出了富有创新性的社会主义文化建设思想。中华文化能够绵延数千年并持续焕发活力，正是得益于其内在的创新精神。习近平总书记指出:“我们要立足中国，面向现代化、面向世界、面向未来，巩固马克思主义在意识形态领域的指导地位，发展社会主义先进文化。”发展社会主义先进文化，需要积极践行中华文化的创新品格，借助现代化传播手段和创新路径，与时俱进推动文化产业、文化教育、文化宣传等领域的发展，使社会主义文化不断焕发新的生机与活力。习近平总书记强调:“新时代的文化工作者必须以守正创新的正气和锐气，赓续历史文脉、谱写当代华章。”这一论述突出了守正与创新的辩证统一关系，为新时代文化建设提供了基本遵循。在社会主义文化建设中，必须把握中国特色社会主义文化发展的特殊规律，在守正中找准文化发展的定位与方向，在创新中顺应并引领时代潮流，在此基础上不断推动社会主义先进文化的现代化发展。

On the one hand, through cultural upholding of fundamental principles, find the basic positioning for the development of advanced socialist culture. Cultural upholding of fundamental principles concerns not only the adherence to and development of Marxist cultural theory but also carries the cultural tradition of the Communist Party of China and the continuation of Chinese civilization, and constitutes the foundation for promoting cultural innovation. First, upholding fundamental principles emphasizes the fundamental guidance of Marxist cultural theory. Marxism profoundly reveals the role of culture in historical evolution from the height of the laws of social development and is the fundamental theoretical basis for socialist cultural construction. It is necessary to adhere to the important principle of the Two Integrations, [47]47 The Two Integrations refers to the principle of integrating the basic tenets of Marxism with China’s specific realities and with the best of traditional Chinese culture. closely integrating Marxism with the concrete practice, the demands of the times, and the needs of the people in China’s socialist cultural construction, making it the core ideological system guiding the development of advanced socialist culture. Second, upholding fundamental principles emphasizes inheriting and developing the century-old cultural tradition of the Communist Party of China. The Communist Party of China plays a key role in ideological guidance, cultural inheritance, and the shaping of the national spirit. We must fully implement the Party’s cultural policies, promote theoretical innovation and practical expansion in culture, and strengthen the Party’s organizational leadership over cultural work, including the supervision of the cultural market, the building of a contingent of cultural cadres, and the construction of a public cultural service system, providing a stable political guarantee for the flourishing development of advanced socialist culture. Third, upholding fundamental principles emphasizes the historical responsibility of adhering to the foundation of Chinese civilization. Chinese civilization is not only an important source of cultural innovation but also plays an irreplaceable role in shaping the spirit of the times and consolidating social consensus. We must deeply excavate the ideological essence of Chinese civilization, making it the spiritual support for promoting the development of advanced socialist culture, and integrate it into the new pattern of global civilizational exchanges and mutual learning, contributing to the innovative construction of a new form of human civilization.

一方面，通过文化守正找准社会主义先进文化发展的基本定位。文化守正不仅关乎马克思主义文化理论的坚持与发展，也承载着中国共产党的文化传统与中华文明的延续，并构成推动文化创新的根基。第一，守正强调马克思主义文化理论的根本指导。马克思主义从社会发展规律的高度深刻揭示了文化在历史演进中的作用，是社会主义文化建设的根本理论依据。必须坚持“两个结合”的重要原则，将马克思主义与中国社会主义文化建设的具体实践、时代诉求和人民需求紧密结合，使其成为引领社会主义先进文化发展的核心思想体系。第二，守正强调传承和发展中国共产党的百年文化传统。中国共产党在思想引领、文化传承和民族精神塑造方面发挥着关键作用。全面贯彻党的文化政策，推动文化理论创新和实践拓展，加强党对文化工作的组织领导，包括文化市场监管、文化干部队伍建设以及公共文化服务体系建设，为社会主义先进文化的繁荣发展提供稳固的政治保障。第三，守正强调坚守中华文明根基的历史责任。中华文明不仅是文化创新的重要源泉，还在塑造时代精神、凝聚社会共识方面发挥着不可替代的作用。深入挖掘中华文明的思想精髓，使其成为推动社会主义先进文化发展的精神支撑，并融入全球文明交流互鉴的新格局，助力人类文明新形态的创新构建。

On the other hand, through cultural innovation, grasp and lead the contemporary development of advanced socialist culture. Cultural innovation is an exploration of the content and development model of advanced socialist culture on the basis of adhering to cultural upholding of fundamental principles. Facing the new challenges brought by modern society, advancing the construction of advanced socialist culture must conform to the developmental needs of the times, continuously innovate forms of cultural expression, promote the deep integration of cultural concepts and technological means, and create cultural achievements that meet the requirements of the New Era. First, deepening the basic thinking of cultural innovation is a prerequisite for promoting the construction of advanced socialist culture. Through education and training, stimulate cultural innovation awareness and creativity, cultivate high-quality cultural talents, and create a social atmosphere conducive to cultural innovation. Through policy guidance, increase support for the cultural and creative industries, provide a favorable social environment and material conditions for cultural innovation, and promote the practical transformation and widespread application of innovative achievements. Second, constructing a discourse system for cultural innovation is key to promoting the flourishing of advanced socialist culture. Combining the basic national conditions and the characteristics of the times, adhere to the value orientation of cultural innovation, closely integrate cultural construction with social, historical, political, and other fields, and form a pattern of cultural innovation with broad participation from multiple subjects. Pay attention to the improvement of citizens’ cultural literacy, conduct scientific evaluation and dynamic adjustment of cultural policies, cultural projects, and cultural achievements, continuously optimize the direction and strategy of cultural innovation, and ensure the long-term development of advanced socialist culture. Third, enriching the forms of expression of cultural innovation is an important way to promote the dissemination of advanced socialist culture. Fully utilize modern technologies such as artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and digital technology to promote the creative transformation and innovative development of traditional culture, expand the carriers and channels of cultural dissemination, create more vivid and diverse forms of cultural expression and experiential modes, and enhance the appeal and influence of advanced socialist culture. Fourth, improving the institutional mechanisms for cultural innovation is an important guarantee for promoting the sustainable development of advanced socialist culture. Establish and improve laws and regulations related to cultural innovation, strengthen mechanisms for the cultivation and team building of cultural talents, and actively build collaborative innovation platforms linking cultural construction with fields such as economy, science and technology, and education. Through diversified cooperation models, stimulate new ideas and new momentum for cultural innovation, and provide long-term and stable institutional support for the flourishing development of advanced socialist culture.

另一方面，通过文化创新把握和引领社会主义先进文化的时代发展。文化创新是在坚持文化守正的基础上，对社会主义先进文化的内容和发展模式进行探索。面对现代社会带来的新挑战，推进社会主义先进文化建设必须顺应时代发展需求，不断创新文化表达形式，推动文化理念与技术手段的深度融合，创造符合新时代要求的文化成果。第一，深化文化创新的基本思路，是推动社会主义先进文化建设的前提。通过教育培训激发文化创新意识和创造力，培养高素质文化人才，营造有利于文化创新的社会氛围。通过政策引导，加大对文化创意产业的支持力度，为文化创新提供良好的社会环境和物质条件，推动创新成果的实践转化和广泛应用。第二，构建文化创新的话语体系，是促进社会主义先进文化繁荣的关键。结合基本国情和时代特点，坚持文化创新的价值导向，使文化建设与社会、历史、政治等领域紧密结合，形成多元主体广泛参与的文化创新格局。注重公民文化素养的提升，对文化政策、文化项目和文化成果进行科学评估和动态调整，不断优化文化创新的方向与策略，确保社会主义先进文化建设的长远发展。第三，丰富文化创新的表现形式，是推动社会主义先进文化传播的重要途径。充分运用人工智能、虚拟现实、数字科技等现代技术，推动传统文化的创造性转化和创新性发展，拓展文化传播的载体和渠道，创造更加生动、多元的文化表达方式和体验形态，增强社会主义先进文化的吸引力和影响力。第四，完善文化创新的体制机制，是促进社会主义先进文化持续发展的重要保障。建立健全文化创新相关法律法规，强化文化人才培养和队伍建设机制，积极构建文化建设与经济、科技、教育等领域的协同创新平台。通过多元化合作模式，激发文化创新的新思路和新动能，为社会主义先进文化的繁荣发展提供长期稳定的制度支撑。

(The authors are, respectively, Associate Professor and Doctoral Supervisor in the Faculty of Marxism, Northeast Normal University; and Doctoral Candidate in the Faculty of Marxism, Northeast Normal University)

（作者系东北师范大学马克思主义学部副教授、博士研究生导师；东北师范大学马克思主义学部博士研究生）

Online Editor: Ma Jingren

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