Mao Zedong’s Thought on Model Education: Theoretical Framework, Practical Approach, and Contemporary Value

The thought on model education is an important component of Mao Zedong Thought. In recent years, academic circles have paid some attention to Mao Zedong’s thought on model education and have produced relevant research results. Some have explained the inherent stipulations of Mao Zedong’s model education from three dimensions: popular subjectivity, ideological nature, and social practicality. Others have studied the distinctive characteristics of Mao Zedong’s thought on model education from the unity of nationality and contemporaneity, individual value and social value, advanced nature and mass character, and scientific nature and artistry. Still others have studied Mao Zedong’s thought on model education during the Yan’an period from the perspectives of selection criteria, core content, and methods. On the basis of existing research, further study of Mao Zedong’s thought on model education from the angles of theoretical framework, practical approach, and contemporary value has important theoretical significance and practical value.

榜样教育思想是毛泽东思想的重要组成部分，近年来学界对毛泽东榜样教育思想有所关注并形成了相关研究成果，有从人民主体性、意识形态性、社会实践性三个维度阐释毛泽东榜样教育的内在规定性，也有从民族性与时代性、个人价值与社会价值、先进性与群众性、科学性与艺术性的统一研究毛泽东榜样教育思想的鲜明特点，还有从选树标准、核心内容、方式方法的角度研究延安时期毛泽东榜样教育思想。在已有研究的基础上，从理论架构、实践进路和当代价值的角度进一步研究毛泽东榜样教育思想，具有重要的理论意义和实践价值。

I. The Theoretical Framework of Mao Zedong’s Thought on Model Education

一、毛泽东榜样教育思想的理论架构

Mao Zedong’s thought on model education has profound theoretical origins and practical foundations. Marx and Engels’ theory of the “proletarian vanguard” and the methodology of “typical demonstration” laid its theoretical foundation. Lenin’s “power of example” provided it with ideological inspiration. The concept of models embedded in fine traditional Chinese culture provided it with cultural nourishment. The historical experience of the New Democratic Revolution, the socialist revolution, and the early period of socialist construction provided it with a practical basis.

毛泽东榜样教育思想有着深厚的理论渊源和实践基础，马克思、恩格斯的“无产阶级先锋队”理论与“典型示范”方法论奠定其理论基础，列宁关于“榜样的力量”为其提供了思想启发，中华优秀传统文化中蕴含的榜样理念为其提供了文化滋养，新民主主义革命、社会主义革命和建设初期的历史经验为其提供了实践依据。

(A) Theoretical Origins of Mao Zedong’s Thought on Model Education

（一）毛泽东榜样教育思想的理论渊源

Mao Zedong’s thought on model education has profound theoretical origins. The explanations by Marx, Engels, and Lenin of the nature and function of models, and the concept of models embedded in fine traditional Chinese culture, laid a solid theoretical foundation for Mao Zedong’s thought on model education. The experience of the Communist Party of China in propagating models during the New Democratic Revolution and the early period of socialist construction is the practical basis for Mao Zedong’s construction of his thought on model education.

毛泽东榜样教育思想有着深厚的理论渊源。马克思、恩格斯、列宁对榜样性质及作用的阐释，中华优秀传统文化蕴含的榜样理念，为毛泽东榜样教育思想奠定了坚实的理论根基，中国共产党在新民主主义革命和社会主义建设初期积累的榜样宣传经验，是毛泽东建构榜样教育思想的实践依据。

1. The Influence of the Marxist Theory of Typical Education

1. 马克思主义典型教育思想的影响

In Marxist theory, from the theory of the “proletarian vanguard” expounded in the *Communist Manifesto* to the gradual formation of the methodology of “typical demonstration,” a methodological foundation was laid for the construction of Mao Zedong’s thought on model education.

在马克思主义理论中，从《共产党宣言》所阐发的“无产阶级先锋队”理论到“典型示范”方法论的逐步形成，为毛泽东榜样教育思想建构奠定了方法论基础。

The *Communist Manifesto* unequivocally states that the proletarian vanguard — the Communist Party — has a unique nature and mission. Marx and Engels profoundly pointed out that Communists “have no interests separate and apart from those of the proletariat as a whole.” [1]1 Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, *The Communist Manifesto* (1848). It is precisely because of their high degree of alignment with the fundamental interests of the proletariat that the Communist Party, as the “proletarian vanguard,” will never pursue its own narrow private interests but instead takes the liberation of the proletariat and all humanity as its goal of struggle. The proletarian vanguard displays outstanding qualities on both the theoretical and practical levels. “In practice, the Communists are the most resolute and always driving force in the workers’ parties of all countries.” [2]2 Ibid. Revolutionary practice has fully proven that Communists always stand at the forefront of struggle, promoting the continuous development of the proletarian movement with fearless courage and firm determination. Whether in arduous strike struggles or in magnificent revolutionary uprisings, Communists have always led the proletariat in unremitting struggle for their own rights and interests. “In theory, they have the advantage over the rest of the proletariat in that they understand the conditions, course, and general results of the proletarian movement.” [3]3 Ibid.

《共产党宣言》旗帜鲜明地表示，无产阶级先锋队——共产党，具有独特的性质与使命。马克思、恩格斯深刻指出：共产党人“没有任何同整个无产阶级的利益不同的利益”。正是由于与无产阶级的根本利益高度一致，作为“无产阶级先锋队”的共产党绝不会追求自身狭隘的私利，而是将无产阶级乃至全人类的解放事业作为奋斗目标。无产阶级先锋队在理论和实践层面都展现出卓越的特质。“在实践方面，共产党人是各国工人政党中最坚决的、始终起推动作用的部分。”革命实践充分证明，共产党人始终站在斗争的最前沿，以无畏的勇气和坚定的决心推动着无产阶级运动不断向前发展。无论是在艰苦的罢工斗争，还是在波澜壮阔的革命起义中，共产党人都始终引领无产阶级为争取自身权益而不懈奋斗。“在理论方面，他们胜过其余无产阶级群众的地方在于他们了解无产阶级运动的条件、进程和一般结果。”

As social practice deepened, the methodology of “typical demonstration” emerged. In the *Communist Manifesto*, although Marx and Engels did not directly use the term “typical demonstration,” the theory of proletarian revolution running through it everywhere manifests the embryonic form of this idea. Through their profound analysis of the contradictions of capitalist society, using some advanced cases of struggle in the proletarian movement of the time as blueprints, they showed the world’s proletariat the direction and path of revolution. These cases were early “types,” demonstrating how the proletariat could unite, break the shackles of old relations of production, and establish its own political power. From the perspective of theoretical construction, Marx and Engels’ methodology of “typical demonstration” was based on a precise grasp of the laws of social development. They deeply understood that to promote social change, one could not rely solely on abstract theoretical propaganda; concrete and perceptible practical examples were necessary. These “types” originated from social practice and were a positive response to real social problems. At the same time, these “types” possessed transcendence, capable of leading the new direction of social development.

随着社会实践不断深入，“典型示范”方法论应运而生。在《共产党宣言》里，马克思、恩格斯虽然未直接以“典型示范”这一词汇表述，但贯穿其中的无产阶级革命理论却处处彰显这一思想的雏形。他们通过对资本主义社会矛盾的深刻分析，以当时无产阶级运动中的一些先进斗争案例为蓝本，向全世界无产阶级展示了革命的方向与道路。这些案例便是早期的“典型”，它们示范着无产阶级如何团结起来，打破旧的生产关系束缚，建立属于自己的政权。从理论构建层面看，马克思、恩格斯的“典型示范”方法论思想是基于对社会发展规律的精准把握。他们深知，要推动社会变革，不能仅依靠抽象的理论宣传，必须有具体可感的实践范例。这些“典型”来源于社会实践，是对社会现实问题的积极回应。同时，这些“典型”又具有超越性，能够引领社会发展的新方向。

Marx and Engels’ methodology of “typical demonstration” influenced Mao Zedong’s thought on model education in many ways. First, in terms of the criteria for selecting models, Mao Zedong inherited the requirement from the methodology of “typical demonstration” to reflect the essence of society. The models he advocated were not ordinary individuals but typical representatives who embodied the spirit of proletarian revolution and the purpose of serving the people in specific historical periods, such as Yang Jingyu, Zhang Side, and Norman Bethune. [4]4 Yang Jingyu (1905–1940) was a commander of the Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army, executed by the Japanese after capture. Zhang Side (1915–1944) was a soldier in the Communist Eighth Route Army who died while burning charcoal; Mao Zedong wrote the famous essay “Serve the People” in his memory. Norman Bethune (1890–1939) was a Canadian communist physician who served with the Communist forces in China and died of sepsis; Mao wrote “In Memory of Norman Bethune” about him. Second, in terms of the functional role of model education, the methodology of “typical demonstration” provided ideas for Mao Zedong. Marx and Engels believed that types had a powerful demonstrative and educational effect, capable of prompting people to think about and act on social issues. Mao Zedong fully recognized this, emphasizing that through extensive propaganda of model deeds, the spirit of models could be transformed into the practical actions of the broad masses of the people. Third, from a methodological perspective, Marx and Engels’ “typical demonstration” emphasized the cognitive process from the concrete to the general, and then from the general back to the concrete. Mao Zedong followed the same law in model education, selecting representative typical cases from numerous revolutionary practices, extracting universally applicable spiritual qualities, and then, through propaganda and promotion of these spirits, achieving an organic combination of theory and practice.

马克思、恩格斯的“典型示范”方法论对毛泽东榜样教育思想产生了多方面的影响。首先，在榜样选树标准上，毛泽东继承了“典型示范”方法论中对反映社会本质的要求。他所倡导的榜样都不是平凡的个体，而是在特定历史时期体现无产阶级革命精神和为人民服务宗旨的典型代表，如杨靖宇、张思德、白求恩。其次，在榜样教育的功能发挥方面，“典型示范”方法论为毛泽东提供了思路。马克思、恩格斯认为典型具有强大的示范和教育作用，能够引发人们对社会问题的思考和行动。毛泽东充分认识到这一点，他强调通过广泛宣传榜样事迹，将榜样的精神转化为广大人民群众的实际行动。其三，从方法论看，马克思、恩格斯的“典型示范”强调从具体到一般、再从一般到具体的认识过程。毛泽东在榜样教育中同样遵循这一规律，从众多革命实践中选取具有代表性的典型事例，提炼出普遍适用的精神品质，再将这些精神通过宣传推广，实现理论与实践的有机结合。

In the historical process of the proletarian revolution and socialist construction, Lenin’s emphasis on the “power of example” contains profound theoretical connotations and practical significance. Mao Zedong’s thought on model education was clearly inspired by Lenin’s thought on the “power of example.”

在无产阶级革命与社会主义建设的历史进程中，列宁所强调的“榜样的力量”蕴含着深刻的理论内涵与实践意义。毛泽东榜样教育思想明显受到了列宁“榜样的力量”思想的启发。

Based on the Marxist view of mass history, Lenin analyzed the limitations of individual examples under the capitalist mode of production: “Under the capitalist mode of production, the significance of individual examples, say, the example of a particular producers’ cooperative, is inevitably extremely limited.” [5]5 V. I. Lenin, “The Immediate Tasks of the Soviet Government” (1918). Accordingly, Lenin pointed out that only when the transition from private ownership to public ownership is completed can the power of example be truly unleashed to promote social development. “After political power has passed into the hands of the proletariat, after the expropriators have been expropriated, the situation changes fundamentally, and, as some of the most famous socialists have repeatedly pointed out, the power of example can for the first time show its broad influence.” [6]6 Ibid. Lenin believed that the prerequisite for fully unleashing the power of example was the de-privatization of property: “Now that land is no longer private property, and factories are almost no longer private property, and will undoubtedly cease to be private property in the very near future (the Soviet government is having no difficulty in passing the corresponding decrees under present circumstances), the exemplary role of labor communes acquires great significance, because it can solve organizational tasks better than any other method.” [7]7 Ibid.

基于马克思主义的群众史观，列宁分析了资本主义生产方式下个别榜样的局限性：“在资本主义生产方式下，个别榜样的意义，比如说，某个生产合作社的榜样的意义，必然是极其有限的。”据此，列宁指出，只有完成私有制向公有制转变的条件下，才能真正释放出榜样的力量以推动社会发展。“在政权转到无产阶级手里以后，在剥夺了剥夺者以后，情况就根本改变了，而且，如一些最著名的社会主义者多次指出过的那样，榜样的力量第一次有可能表现自己的广大影响。”列宁认为，充分发挥榜样力量作用的先决条件是财产非私有化，“现在，土地不再是私有财产，工厂也几乎不再是私有财产，而且无疑在最近的将来就会不再是私有财产（苏维埃政权在目前情况下要实行相应的法令是毫不困难的），在这个时候，劳动公社的榜样作用就有了很大的意义，因为它可以比任何其他办法都更好地解决组织任务”。

During the period of the Russian Revolution, models became a key factor in rallying the masses and inspiring revolutionary morale. Lenin believed that advanced individuals or groups could, through their own actions, show the broad masses the ideal goals and feasible paths. For example, Bolshevik Party members, with their firm revolutionary convictions and fearless spirit of sacrifice, threw themselves into the struggle; their actions were a vivid model demonstration. These models, in the streets and alleys, in factories and villages, spread revolutionary ideas through practical actions, allowing ordinary people to see the hope of changing society, thereby attracting countless people to join the revolutionary ranks. In the stage of socialist construction, the “power of example” was equally important. Lenin emphasized that socialist construction required a large number of enterprising and innovative builders. Those workers, peasants, and intellectuals who displayed high labor enthusiasm and creativity on the production front were models for the whole society to learn from.

在俄国革命时期，榜样成为凝聚群众力量、激发革命斗志的关键因素。列宁认为，先进的个体或群体能够以其自身的行动，向广大民众展示理想的目标与可行的路径。例如，布尔什维克党员以坚定的革命信念、无畏的牺牲精神投身于斗争，他们的行为便是一种生动的榜样示范；这些榜样在街头巷尾、工厂农村，以实际行动传播革命理念，让普通民众看到改变社会的希望，从而吸引了无数人加入到革命队伍中来。在社会主义建设阶段，“榜样的力量”同样重要。列宁强调，社会主义建设需要大量积极进取、勇于创新的建设者。那些在生产一线展现出高度劳动热情和创造力的工人、农民以及知识分子，就是全社会学习的榜样。

2. The Inheritance of the Concept of Models in Fine Traditional Chinese Culture

2. 中华优秀传统文化中榜样理念的传承

The long-standing and profound fine traditional Chinese culture contains extremely rich and deep concepts of model education. Ancient sages and worthies established moral exemplars through their own noble words and deeds, and numerous historical stories shaped countless model images bearing traditional values, manifesting the profound connotation of the basic concept of model education: “cultivate oneself, regulate the family, govern the state, and bring peace to the world.” These concepts provided deep cultural nourishment for Mao Zedong’s thought on model education.

源远流长的中华优秀传统文化蕴含着极为丰富且深刻的榜样教育理念。古圣先贤以自身高尚的言行树立道德典范，众多历史故事塑造了无数承载传统价值观的榜样形象，彰显出榜样教育基本理念“修身齐家治国平天下”的深刻内涵。这些理念为毛泽东榜样教育思想提供了深厚的文化滋养。

Confucius, Mencius, and other ancient sages and worthies became moral exemplars admired by later generations through their own words and deeds. Confucius devoted his life to spreading Confucian thought, advocating moral standards such as “benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and trustworthiness” and practicing them himself. To realize an ideal social order, Confucius traveled through various states, tirelessly and diligently seeking. His view that “when you see a worthy person, think of becoming equal to them; when you see an unworthy person, reflect inwardly on yourself” became a classic teaching inspiring people to pursue excellence and engage in self-reflection. In daily life, Confucius demonstrated noble moral qualities through modesty, eagerness to learn, and caring for others. His disciples, deeply influenced by his words and deeds during long-term association with him, took him as their model and continuously improved their own moral cultivation. Mencius inherited and developed Confucius’s thought, likewise emphasizing the cultivation and practice of his own morality. He put forward the standard of a true man: “not to be corrupted by wealth and rank, not to be swayed by poverty and lowliness, not to be bent by power and force,” and interpreted this concept through his own life. Mencius’s spirit inspired later generations to uphold moral bottom lines in the face of various temptations and difficulties, and to become people with integrity and responsibility.

孔子、孟子等古圣先贤以自身的言行举止成为后人敬仰的道德典范。孔子一生致力于传播儒家思想，倡导“仁、义、礼、智、信”等道德准则，并身体力行。为实现理想的社会秩序，孔子周游列国，席不暇暖、孜孜以求。其“见贤思齐焉，见不贤而内自省也”的观点，成为激励人们追求卓越、反思自我的经典教诲。在日常生活中，孔子以谦逊好学、关爱他人等行为，展现了高尚的道德品质。弟子们在与孔子的长期相处中，深受其言传身教的影响，纷纷以他为榜样，不断提升自身的道德修养。孟子继承和发展了孔子的思想，同样注重自身道德的修炼与践行。他提出“富贵不能淫，贫贱不能移，威武不能屈”的大丈夫标准，并以自己的一生诠释了这一理念。孟子的这种精神激励着后人在面对各种诱惑和困难时坚守道德底线，做一个有骨气、有担当的人。

In the long river of Chinese history, many widely loved stories shaped a large number of model images embodying traditional values. The story of Zengzi killing a pig illustrates the importance of “trustworthiness.” Zengzi’s wife, to coax their child, casually promised to kill a pig and eat meat after returning from the market. When Zengzi learned of this, he ignored his wife’s objections and resolutely killed the pig. He used concrete action to tell the child that one must be honest and trustworthy, and that promises must be kept. This story also shows that parents, as a person’s “first teachers,” are extremely important in shaping a child’s good character through their words and deeds as models. The story of Mulan joining the army in her father’s place highlights the qualities of “filial piety” and “courage,” inspiring countless Chinese sons and daughters to be filial to their families and loyal to the state. The values carried by model images such as Zhuge Liang’s “bend every effort, exhaust every energy, until death ends the service,” Yue Fei’s utter devotion to the country, and Lin Zexu’s “if it benefits the country, I will stake my life on it” became important components of the Chinese national spirit.

在中国历史长河中，诸多脍炙人口的故事塑造了大量体现传统价值观的榜样形象。曾子杀猪的故事体现了“信”的重要性。曾子的妻子为哄孩子，随口答应孩子从集市回来后杀猪吃肉。曾子得知后，不顾妻子的阻拦，毅然杀猪。他用实际行动告诉孩子，做人要诚实守信，答应的事情就一定要做到。这个故事也表明，父母作为人生“第一任老师”以言传身教为榜样对孩子塑造良好品格的极为重要。木兰替父从军的故事彰显了“孝”与“勇”的品质，激励着无数中华儿女尽孝于家庭、尽忠于国家。诸葛亮“鞠躬尽瘁，死而后已”、岳飞精忠报国、林则徐“苟利国家生死以”等榜样形象所承载的价值观，成为了中华民族精神的重要组成部分。

3. Summary of Practical Experience

3. 实践经验的总结

During the Agrarian Revolutionary War period, the creation and practice of the “Model Township of the Soviet Areas” provided valuable and far-reaching pilot experience for the construction of revolutionary base areas under the leadership of the Communist Party of China. At that time, the Soviet areas faced many severe challenges: externally, the military “encirclement and suppression” and economic blockade by the Kuomintang reactionaries; internally, a series of urgent problems such as land distribution, political power construction, and mass mobilization needed to be solved. Against this background, the “Model Township of the Soviet Areas,” as a pilot area, bore the important mission of pioneering and exploring effective governance paths. The pilot of the “Model Township of the Soviet Areas” achieved significant results in land policy; in political power construction, it pioneered democratic elections; it also accumulated rich experience in mass mobilization and organizational work. The pilot experience of the “Model Township of the Soviet Areas” set an example for the construction of other Soviet areas.

土地革命时期，“苏区模范乡”的创建与实践为中国共产党领导下的革命根据地建设提供了宝贵且影响深远的试点经验。当时，苏区面临着诸多严峻挑战，外部有国民党反动派的军事“围剿”和经济封锁，内部则需要解决土地分配、政权建设、群众动员等一系列紧迫问题。在此背景下，“苏区模范乡”作为试点区域，承载着先行先试、探索有效治理路径的重要使命。“苏区模范乡”试点在土地政策方面取得了显著成效，在政权建设方面，“苏区模范乡”开创了民主选举的先河；在群众动员和组织工作上也积累了丰富经验。“苏区模范乡”的试点经验为其他苏区建设树立了榜样。

Throughout the entire period of the New Democratic Revolution, the Yan’an Rectification Movement was a profound self-innovation by the Communist Party of China in the ideological field, and also a comprehensive Marxist ideological education movement, aimed at enhancing the Party’s cohesion and combat effectiveness through the rectification and elevation of the entire Party’s thinking. The symbolic shaping of the “Zhang Side spirit” during this special historical period has profound historical significance and rich ideological connotations. From the perspective of the process of symbolic shaping, first, there was the in-depth excavation and widespread dissemination of Zhang Side’s deeds. Through the Party organization’s propaganda and the creation of literary and artistic works, the specific examples of Zhang Side serving the people wholeheartedly were presented in detail, establishing a model image of one who served the masses single-mindedly. Second, the Zhang Side spirit was theoretically refined and elevated. Zhang Side’s spirit of serving the people was sublimated into a revolutionary spiritual symbol with universal guiding significance, and became a value criterion consciously practiced by the broad masses of the people. Moreover, during this period, the model peasant of the border region, Wu Manyou, and the model industrial worker of the border region, Zhao Zhankui, also greatly stimulated the people’s enthusiasm for promoting the development of the border region. The practical experience of this period provided a practical basis for the enrichment and development of Mao Zedong’s thought on model education. Mao Zedong refined the Zhang Side spirit into “serve the people” and issued the call to learn from Zhang Side.

整个新民主主义革命时期，延安整风运动是中国共产党在思想领域进行的一次深刻自我革新，更是一场全方位的马克思主义思想教育运动，旨在通过对全党思想的整顿与升华，增强党的凝聚力、战斗力。“张思德精神”在这一特殊历史时期的符号化塑造，具有深远的历史意义与丰富的思想内涵。从符号化塑造的过程来看，首先是对张思德事迹的深度挖掘与广泛传播。通过党组织的宣传以及文艺作品的创作，张思德全心全意为人民服务的具体事例被详细地呈现出来，树立起一心只为群众服务的榜样形象。其次，张思德精神被进行了理论提炼与升华。张思德为人民服务的精神升华为具有普遍指导意义的革命精神符号，并成为广大人民群众自觉践行的价值准则。不仅如此，这一时期塑造的边区农民榜样吴满有、边区工业典范赵占魁也极大地激发了人民推动边区发展的热情。这一时期的实践经验，为毛泽东榜样教育思想的丰富和发展提供了实践依据，毛泽东将张思德精神提炼为“为人民服务”并发出向张思德学习的号召。

During the period of socialist revolution and construction, model education mainly focused on education in ideals, convictions, and patriotism. In the war against the enemy in the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea, the Chinese People’s Volunteers displayed a high degree of patriotism and revolutionary heroism. To defend their homeland and country, they feared no strong enemy and fought bloody battles, producing a large number of heroic model figures such as Huang Jiguang and Qiu Shaoyun. The deeds of these heroic figures were widely disseminated through newspapers, radio, and films, deeply moving the people of the whole country and inspiring their patriotic enthusiasm to sacrifice for ideals, convictions, and the future of the nation. The model education practice of this period enriched and developed Mao Zedong’s thought on model education.

社会主义革命和建设时期，榜样教育主要集中在理想信念和爱国主义教育方面。在抗美援朝对敌作战中，中国人民志愿军战士发扬了高度的爱国主义和革命英雄主义精神，他们为了保家卫国，不畏强敌、浴血奋战，涌现出了黄继光、邱少云等一大批英雄模范人物，这些英雄人物的事迹通过报纸、广播、电影等广泛传播，深深地感染了全国人民，激发了人们为理想信念、国家前途命运而勇于献身的爱国热情。这一时期的榜样教育实践，丰富和发展了毛泽东榜样教育思想。

With the deepening of socialist construction, model education, as an important method of ideological and political education, played an irreplaceable role in凝聚社会力量 [coalescing social forces], stimulating the construction enthusiasm of the masses, and promoting the development of the socialist cause. The model education practice of this period contains rich historical experience and contemporary value. Model figures covered multiple fields, including labor models in the industrial front who were innovative and selfless in their dedication, such as Wang Jinxi. With the heroic spirit of “I would rather live twenty years less than fight hard to get the big oilfield,” he led oil workers in arduous entrepreneurship, writing a magnificent chapter in the industrial development of the early period of socialist construction. Mao Zedong issued the call “learn from Daqing in industry” and established the Daqing spirit as a banner for developing industry. Through the selection and promotion of model figures such as Lei Feng and Jiao Yulu for model education, these individuals, with their noble character, outstanding achievements, and firm convictions, became benchmarks for the broad masses of the people to learn from. This model education practice further elevated Mao Zedong’s thought on model education.

随着社会主义建设的深入开展，榜样教育作为一种重要的思想政治教育方式，在凝聚社会力量、激发人民群众建设热情以及推动社会主义事业发展等方面发挥了不可替代的作用。这一时期的榜样教育实践，蕴含着丰富的历史经验与时代价值，榜样人物涵盖了多个领域，有在工业战线勇于创新、无私奉献的劳动模范，如王进喜，他以“宁可少活二十年，拼命也要拿下大油田”的豪迈气概，带领石油工人艰苦创业，书写了社会主义建设初期工业发展的壮美诗篇。毛泽东发出了“工业学大庆”的号召，并将大庆精神树立为发展工业的一面旗帜。通过选树雷锋、焦裕禄等榜样人物开展榜样教育，他们以其高尚的品德、卓越的成就和坚定的信念，成为广大人民群众学习的标杆。这一榜样教育实践，进一步升华了毛泽东榜样教育思想。

(II) The Connotative Characteristics of Mao Zedong’s Thought on Model Education

（二）毛泽东榜样教育思想的内涵特质

Mao Zedong’s thought on model education contains rich connotations, exhibiting profound theoretical characteristics and great practical value in multiple dimensions such as model standards, model value, and methods of selection and promotion.

毛泽东榜样教育思想蕴含着丰富的内涵，在榜样标准、榜样价值与选树方法等多个维度展现出深邃的理论特质和巨大的实践价值。

1. Model Standards: Political Requirements Are Primary

1. 榜样标准：政治要求是第一位的

Regarding members of the Communist Party of China, the vanguard of the proletariat, Mao Zedong set forth the requirement: “Communists working in government organs should be models of absolute integrity, free from favouritism, and ready to do more work and take less pay. In the mass movements, they should be friends of the masses, not their bosses; teachers who never tire of teaching, not bureaucratic politicians. Communists should never place personal interests first; they should subordinate personal interests to the interests of the nation and the masses of the people.” This requirement profoundly embodies the characteristics of the vanguard of the proletariat. During the critical period of the War of Resistance Against Japan, the Communist Party of China bore the historical mission of leading the entire nation’s resistance. As members of the vanguard, Communists had to play an exemplary and leading role in all aspects, becoming the mainstay of the national resistance. In 1937, in his political report “Win the Masses in Their Millions for the Anti-Japanese National United Front,” Mao Zedong proposed training and cultivating tens of thousands of cadres who would “understand Marxism-Leninism, possess political foresight, have work ability, be rich in the spirit of sacrifice, be able to solve problems independently, not waver in difficulties, and work loyally and devotedly for the nation, for the class, and for the Party.” After the founding of New China, Mao Zedong proposed that cadres should be “both red and expert,” pointing out that “politics and professional work are a unity of opposites; politics is the main and primary aspect,” but “engaging solely in politics without understanding technology or professional work will not do either.” This requirement established a composite model standard for socialist construction: “red” represents a firm political stance, while “expert” highlights the importance of professional competence, and the two must be organically unified.

对作为无产阶级先锋队的中国共产党党员，毛泽东提出要求：“共产党员在政府工作中，应该是十分廉洁、不用私人、多做工作、少取报酬的模范。共产党员在民众运动中，应该是民众的朋友，而不是民众的上司，是诲人不倦的教师，而不是官僚主义的政客。共产党员无论何时何地都不应以个人利益放在第一位，而应以个人利益服从于民族的和人民群众的利益。”这一要求深刻体现了无产阶级先锋队的特质。在抗日战争的关键时期，中国共产党肩负着领导全民族抗战的历史使命，共产党员作为先锋队的成员，必须在各个方面发挥模范带头作用，成为民族抗战中的中流砥柱。1937年，毛泽东在《为争取千百万群众进入抗日民族统一战线而斗争》的政治报告中提出要培养造就数万的干部，这些干部要“懂得马克思列宁主义，有政治远见，有工作能力，富于牺牲精神，能独立解决问题，在困难中不动摇，忠心耿耿地为民族、为阶级、为党而工作”。新中国成立后，毛泽东提出干部要“又红又专”，指出“政治和业务是对立统一的，政治是主要的，是第一位的”，“专搞政治，不懂技术，不懂业务，也不行”。这一要求为社会主义建设树立了复合型榜样标准，“红”代表着坚定的政治立场，“专”则突出了专业能力的重要性，二者必须有机统一。

2. The Value of Models: Manifesting Nobility through the Ordinary

2. 榜样价值：以平凡彰显崇高

In 1944, in his speech “Serve the People” at the memorial meeting for Zhang Side, Mao Zedong profoundly interpreted the value judgment that “though death befalls all men alike, it may be weightier than Mount Tai or lighter than a feather.” Zhang Side was a soldier who silently dedicated himself in an ordinary post, serving the people wholeheartedly without regard for personal gain, and ultimately sacrificed his life for the people’s interests while carrying out a charcoal-burning task. Taking Zhang Side as an example, Mao Zedong emphasized that the value of life lies not in whether one’s position is prominent, but in whether one contributes to the interests of the people. Zhang Side’s deeds told people that even in the most ordinary work, as long as one upholds the principle of serving the people, one can realize the noble value of life. Models like Zhang Side inspired countless people to work diligently and selflessly in their respective posts, closely linking their personal destiny with the interests of the people.

1944 年，毛泽东在为追悼张思德所作的《为人民服务》的演讲中，深刻诠释了“人固有一死，或重于泰山，或轻于鸿毛”的价值判断标准。张思德是一名在平凡岗位上默默奉献的战士，他全心全意为人民服务，不计个人得失，最终为了人民的利益在执行烧炭任务时不幸牺牲。毛泽东以张思德为例，强调了生命的价值不在于其所处的岗位是否显赫，而在于是否为人民的利益贡献力量。张思德的事迹告诉人们，即使是在最平凡的工作中，只要秉持着为人民服务的宗旨，就能实现生命的崇高价值。像张思德这样的榜样激励着无数人在各自的岗位上兢兢业业、无私奉献，将个人的命运与人民的利益紧密相连。

Mao Zedong shaped the Canadian doctor Norman Bethune into a benchmark of “utter devotion to others without any thought of self,” calling on “every Communist to learn from him” and “learn from his spirit of complete selflessness.” Mao Zedong’s high praise for Bethune not only set a moral example for Communist Party members and the broad masses of the people but also demonstrated to the world the great power of communist moral ideals, inspiring people to transcend narrow self-interest and strive for the happiness of all humanity.

毛泽东将加拿大医生白求恩塑造为“毫不利己专门利人”的标杆，号召“每个共产党员都要学习他”，“学习他毫无自私自利之心的精神”。毛泽东对白求恩高度的赞扬，不仅为中国共产党党员和广大人民群众树立了道德榜样，也向世界展示了共产主义道德理想的伟大力量，激励着人们超越狭隘的自我，为全人类的幸福而奋斗。

3. Methods of Selection and Promotion: Dialectical and Unified Practical Principles

3. 选树方法：辩证统一的实践原则

Mao Zedong’s thought on model education emphasizes the combination of universality and particularity. On the one hand, it requires “discovering typical examples from among the masses,” which reflects the universality of the source of models, insisting on discovering advanced figures and selecting models from the masses. On the other hand, it emphasizes “using typical examples to guide the general,” as seen in the movement to learn from Dazhai in agriculture.[n] By establishing Dazhai as a typical example, the successful experience of Dazhai was promoted to vast rural areas across the country, guiding various localities to learn from Dazhai’s spirit of hard struggle and scientific agricultural production methods in light of their own actual conditions, thereby promoting the development of national agricultural production. This method of combining universality and particularity enables model education to closely connect with reality, making it more targeted and effective.

毛泽东榜样教育思想注重普遍性与特殊性的结合。一方面，要求“从群众中发现典型”，这体现了榜样来源的普遍性，坚持从群众中发现先进人物、选树榜样。另一方面，强调“用典型指导一般”，如农业学大寨运动。通过树立大寨这一典型，将大寨的成功经验推广到全国广大农村地区，引导各地结合自身实际情况，学习大寨的艰苦奋斗精神和科学的农业生产方法，推动了全国农业生产的发展。这种普遍性与特殊性相结合的方法，使榜样教育能够紧密联系实际，具有更强的针对性和实效性。

Mao Zedong’s thought on model education achieved the unity of historicity and contemporaneity. In different historical periods, according to the needs and tasks of the times, different types of models were established. During the War of Resistance, national contradiction became the principal contradiction. To inspire the entire nation’s enthusiasm for resistance, it was necessary to prominently publicize national heroes, such as Yang Jingyu.[n] Yang Jingyu fought tenaciously against the Japanese army under extremely harsh conditions until his heroic sacrifice. His heroic deeds demonstrated the indomitable spirit of resistance of the Chinese nation, inspiring countless Chinese people to join the torrent of resistance and national salvation. After the founding of New China, as the country entered the period of socialist construction, the focus of work shifted to economic construction and technological development, and the type of models correspondingly shifted to technical models, such as Meng Tai of Anshan Iron and Steel.[n] With a high sense of ownership and a spirit of selfless dedication, Meng Tai assiduously studied technology and created a series of technological innovations, making outstanding contributions to the recovery and development of Anshan Iron and Steel, becoming a model for the broad masses of workers to learn from. This dynamic adjustment of model types indicates that the specific content of model education must also advance with the times as the era develops and changes.

毛泽东榜样教育思想实现了历史性与时代性的统一。在不同的历史时期，根据时代的需求和任务，树立了不同类型的榜样。抗战时期，民族矛盾成为主要矛盾，为了激发全民族的抗战热情，需要突出宣传民族英雄，如杨靖宇。杨靖宇在极端恶劣的环境下与日军顽强战斗，直至壮烈牺牲。他的英雄事迹彰显了中华民族不屈不挠的抗战精神，激励着无数中华儿女投身到抗日救亡的洪流中。新中国成立后，随着国家进入社会主义建设时期，工作重点转向经济建设和技术发展，榜样类型也相应地转向技术模范，如鞍钢的孟泰。孟泰以高度的主人翁责任感和忘我的工作精神，刻苦钻研技术，创造了一系列技术革新成果，为鞍钢的恢复和发展作出了突出贡献，成为广大工人学习的榜样。这种榜样类型的动态调整，表明随着时代发展变化榜样教育的具体内容也要与时俱进。

II. The Practical Approach of Mao Zedong’s Thought on Model Education

二、毛泽东榜样教育思想的实践进路

During the periods of the New Democratic Revolution, the Socialist Revolution, and the early stage of Socialist Construction, Mao Zedong attached great importance to the role of models. Through the practice of establishing models and the construction of a system for disseminating models, he comprehensively demonstrated the practical approach of his thought on model education.

在新民主主义革命、社会主义革命和建设初期，毛泽东十分重视榜样的作用，通过树立榜样的实践和榜样传播体系建构，全面展现了其榜样教育思想的实践进路。

(A) Establishing Typical Models

（一）树立典型榜样

Mao Zedong placed great emphasis on establishing typical models. During the periods of revolution and construction, by establishing typical examples in different fields, he inspired the masses to strive forward. Examples include Zhang Side, who served the people wholeheartedly, and Bethune, who was utterly devoted to others without any thought of self. These models possessed distinct characteristics; their deeds were typical and leading, embodying a noble spirit. When establishing typical models, their shining points were deeply explored, and through various propaganda channels, such as newspapers and speeches, they were widely disseminated, allowing the image of the models to be deeply rooted in people’s hearts, guiding people to emulate them, and using the power of models to promote the development of various undertakings.

毛泽东极为重视树立典型榜样。在革命与建设时期，通过树立不同领域的典型，激励广大群众奋进。如张思德全心全意为人民服务，白求恩毫不利己专门利人。这些榜样有着鲜明特征，他们的事迹典型且具引领性，彰显着崇高精神。树立典型榜样时，深入挖掘其闪光点，借助多种宣传渠道，如报纸、演讲等进行广泛传播，让榜样形象深入人心，引导人们见贤思齐，以榜样的力量推动各项事业发展。

1. Emphasis on the Discovery and Publicity of Heroic Model Figures

1. 重视对英雄模范人物的挖掘与宣传

In the magnificent course of China’s revolution and construction, Mao Zedong highly valued the discovery and publicity of heroic model figures. Zhang Side silently dedicated himself in an ordinary post until he gave his precious life for the revolutionary cause. Mao Zedong personally attended Zhang Side’s memorial meeting and delivered the famous speech “Serve the People,” highly praising Zhang Side’s great spirit of sacrificing for the people’s interests. Bethune traveled thousands of miles to China, devoting himself to the great cause of saving lives and healing the wounded, ultimately giving his life for the liberation cause of the Chinese people. Mao Zedong wrote the article “In Memory of Norman Bethune,” giving extremely high praise to Bethune’s internationalist spirit of complete selflessness and his noble character of utter devotion to others without any thought of self, calling him “a man of noble character, a pure man, a moral man, a man who has left vulgar tastes behind, and a man who is beneficial to the people.”

在波澜壮阔的中国革命与建设历程中，毛泽东高度重视英雄模范人物的挖掘与宣传工作。张思德在平凡的岗位上默默奉献，直至为了革命事业献出宝贵生命。毛泽东亲自参加张思德的追悼会，并发表了著名的《为人民服务》演讲，高度赞扬了张思德为人民利益而牺牲的伟大精神。白求恩不远万里来到中国，投身于救死扶伤的伟大事业，最终将生命献给了中国人民的解放事业。毛泽东撰写《纪念白求恩》一文，对白求恩毫无自私自利之心的国际主义精神和毫不利己专门利人的高尚品德给予了极高评价，称赞他是“一个高尚的人，一个纯粹的人，一个有道德的人，一个脱离了低级趣味的人，一个有益于人民的人”。

In publicizing the deeds and spirit of heroic model figures, Mao Zedong employed a variety of effective channels. Speeches became an important way for him to disseminate the power of models. Through passionate and inspiring speeches, Mao Zedong vividly presented the advanced deeds and noble spirit of heroic model figures to the broad masses. This not only allowed the audience to directly understand the stories of heroic model figures but also resonated deeply with them emotionally. Newspapers and periodicals were also powerful tools for Mao Zedong’s propaganda work. As important media for information dissemination, newspapers and periodicals had a broad influence. By leveraging this advantage, detailed reports on the deeds of heroic model figures and in-depth analysis of their spiritual connotations in newspapers and periodicals allowed the images of heroic model figures to become more deeply rooted in people’s hearts, enabling more people to understand and learn from their spirit. For example, through the publicity of newspapers such as the *Liberation Daily*, the deeds of model figures like Zhang Side, Bethune, and Lei Feng spread across the country, inspiring countless people to devote themselves to the cause of revolution and construction.

在宣传英雄模范人物的事迹与精神方面，毛泽东运用了多种行之有效的渠道。演讲成为他传播榜样力量的重要方式。通过充满激情与感染力的演讲，毛泽东将英雄模范人物的先进事迹和崇高精神生动地展现给广大民众，不仅能够让听众直观地了解英雄模范人物的故事，更能在情感上引发强烈共鸣。报刊也是毛泽东进行宣传工作的有力工具。报刊作为重要的信息传播媒介，具有广泛的影响力。利用这一优势，通过报刊详细报道英雄模范人物的事迹，深入剖析其中的精神内涵，能够让英雄模范人物的形象更加深入人心，让更多的人能够了解并学习他们的精神。例如，通过《解放日报》等报刊的宣传，张思德、白求恩、雷锋等模范人物的事迹传遍了大江南北，激励着无数人投身于革命与建设事业。

2. Emphasis on the Cultivation and Promotion of Advanced Collective Models

2. 重视先进集体典型的培育与推广

Mao Zedong attached great importance to the cultivation and promotion of advanced collective models. Through a series of measures such as in-depth investigation and extensive publicity, he established many advanced collective models with far-reaching influence. Dazhai and Daqing were among the most prominent examples. Dazhai was located in a mountainous area with harsh natural conditions, yet relying on the spirit of hard struggle and self-reliance of the Dazhai people, it created a miracle of high grain yields on barren land. Mao Zedong and the research team he led went deep into Dazhai to understand the specific deeds of the Dazhai people in their battle against nature. They discovered the people’s indomitable and united spiritual quality in the face of numerous difficulties. This spirit was precisely the powerful driving force urgently needed for socialist construction at that time. Daqing, as a representative of the new China’s petroleum industry, in a difficult entrepreneurial environment, took the “Iron Man” Wang Jinxi as a model, carried forward the Daqing spirit of “patriotism, entrepreneurship, seeking truth, and dedication,” and made outstanding contributions to the country’s self-sufficiency in petroleum. Mao Zedong valued the excavation of Daqing’s experience, conducted in-depth research on the entire process of the Daqing oil campaign, fully affirmed Daqing’s great achievements in oil production, and believed that it had erected an immortal monument for the people of the whole country on the spiritual level. Mao Zedong required news media and literary and artistic works to vigorously publicize Dazhai and Daqing. Newspapers, radio, and other media, through vivid and detailed reports, spread the deeds of the Dazhai people’s fearlessness in transforming nature and the Daqing people’s hard work and dedication to winning honor for the country far and wide. These publicity efforts not only displayed the glorious image of the advanced collectives but also highlighted the collectivist spiritual quality they embodied, making them models for the people of the whole country to learn from. This exemplary and leading role had a huge impact. The broad masses of the people drew strength from the deeds of Dazhai and Daqing, took the advanced collectives as benchmarks in their respective work posts, and actively devoted themselves to the cause of socialist construction. Dazhai’s experience in agricultural production provided a reference for rural areas across the country. Many rural areas learned from the Dazhai spirit, improved agricultural production conditions and enhanced agricultural production efficiency through collective efforts. Daqing’s industrial construction model also inspired many industrial enterprises and promoted the rapid development of China’s industry.

毛泽东高度重视先进集体典型的培育与推广工作，通过深入调研挖掘、广泛宣传等一系列举措，树立了诸多具有深远影响的先进集体典型。大寨和大庆便是其中最为突出的典范。大寨地处自然条件恶劣的山区，却凭借着大寨人艰苦奋斗、自力更生的精神，在贫瘠的土地上创造了粮食高产的奇迹。毛泽东及其领导的调研团队深入大寨，了解大寨人战天斗地的具体事迹，发现他们面对重重困难不屈不挠、团结一心的精神品质，这种精神正是当时社会主义建设所急需的强大动力。大庆，作为新中国石油工业的代表，在艰苦的创业环境中，大庆石油工人以“铁人”王进喜为榜样，发扬“爱国、创业、求实、奉献”的大庆精神，为国家石油自给作出了卓越贡献。毛泽东重视对大庆经验的挖掘，深入调研大庆石油会战的全过程，充分肯定大庆在石油生产上取得的巨大成就，认为其在精神层面上为全国人民树立了一座不朽的丰碑。毛泽东要求新闻媒体、文艺作品对大寨、大庆进行大力宣传。报纸、广播等媒体通过生动翔实的报道，将大寨人不畏艰难、改造山河的壮举以及大庆人艰苦创业、为国争光的精神传遍大江南北。这些宣传不仅展现了先进集体的光辉形象，更彰显了其所蕴含的集体主义精神品质，并成为当时全国人民学习的榜样。这种典型示范引领作用产生了巨大影响，广大人民群众从大寨和大庆的事迹中汲取力量，在各自的工作岗位上以先进集体为标杆，积极投身社会主义建设事业。大寨的农业生产经验为全国各地农村提供了借鉴，许多农村地区学习大寨精神，通过集体努力改善农业生产条件、提升农业生产效率。大庆的工业建设模式也激励着众多工业企业，推动了我国工业的快速发展。

(2) Building a Communication System

（二）构建传播体系

Mao Zedong attached great importance to building a communication system for models, requiring extensive and in-depth publicity of models through newspapers, magazines, radio, etc., and also requiring the integration of models into family, school, and social education, especially into classroom education and campus activities, to demonstrate the power of models, generate ideological resonance, and form emotional identification.

毛泽东十分重视构建榜样传播体系，要求通过报纸、杂志、广播等广泛、深入宣传榜样，而且要求将榜样融入家庭、学校、社会教育，尤其是融入课堂教育和校园活动，彰显榜样力量、产生思想共鸣、形成情感认同。

1. Using Multiple Media to Disseminate Model Deeds

1. 利用多种媒体进行榜样事迹传播

In the historical process of revolution and construction, Mao Zedong placed great emphasis on the power of models and skillfully used multiple media to disseminate model deeds, rallying social forces and promoting the development of the cause.

在革命与建设的历史进程中，毛泽东极为重视榜样的力量，并巧妙利用多种媒体进行榜样事迹传播，凝聚社会力量、推动事业发展。

Newspapers and periodicals played a key role in disseminating model deeds. With their characteristic of in-depth reporting, newspapers became an important front for presenting model stories and spiritual connotations. At that time, various Party newspapers and journals undertook the mission of excavating the deeper significance behind model deeds. Through in-depth reports, they detailed the models’ growth experiences, specific deeds, and the spiritual values embodied in their behavior. Taking the deeds of Lei Feng as an example, newspapers, in the form of a series of reports, comprehensively displayed Lei Feng’s journey from an ordinary youth to a communist fighter and deeply analyzed the spiritual essence of his wholehearted service to the people. This kind of in-depth reporting not only allowed readers to understand the specific behaviors of the models but also guided them to think about the intrinsic value of the model spirit, inspiring people’s enthusiasm for learning from the models.

报刊在榜样事迹传播中扮演着关键角色。报纸凭借其深度报道的特性，成为展现榜样故事与精神内涵的重要阵地。在当时，各类党报党刊承担起了挖掘榜样事迹背后深层次意义的使命。通过深度报道，详细叙述榜样的成长经历、具体事迹以及其行为所体现的精神价值。以雷锋事迹为例，报纸以系列报道的形式，全面展现了雷锋从一个普通青年成长为共产主义战士的历程，深入剖析了他全心全意为人民服务的精神实质。这种深度报道不仅让读者了解到榜样的具体行为，更引导他们思考榜样精神的内在价值，激发人们学习榜样的热情。

Radio also played a unique role in disseminating model deeds. Radio has the advantage of delivering information at fixed times, enabling it to transcend geographical limitations and spread model deeds to a wider range. Through scheduled radio programs, the advanced deeds of models were transmitted to every corner, including factories, rural areas, and schools, expanding the influence of the models.

广播在榜样事迹传播中也发挥了独特作用。广播具有定时推送信息的优势，能够跨越地域限制，将榜样事迹传播到更广泛的范围。通过定时的广播节目，榜样的先进事迹得以被传递到工厂、农村、学校等各个角落，扩大了榜样的影响力。

Although television was not yet widespread at that time, it was also used for disseminating model deeds. By producing special programs, it provided audiences with a more intuitive experience, enhancing the appeal of the communication. Through various forms such as video materials and on-site interviews, the images and deeds of models were presented directly to the audience. Special programs, with their unique narrative methods and visual presentations, allowed audiences to feel the charm of the models more vividly. For example, when producing special programs on heroic model figures, by showing their work scenes and telling their struggle stories, the audience felt as if they were on the scene, thereby arousing their inner respect for the models and motivation to learn.

电视在当时虽然尚未普及，但也被用于榜样事迹传播。通过制作专题节目，为观众提供了更为直观的体验，增强了传播的感染力。通过影像资料、现场采访等多种形式，将榜样的形象和事迹直观地呈现在观众面前。专题节目以其独特的叙事方式和视觉呈现，让观众能够更加真切地感受到榜样的魅力。比如在制作英雄模范人物专题节目时，通过展示他们工作的场景、讲述奋斗的故事，使观众仿佛身临其境，从而激发起内心对榜样的崇敬和学习的动力。

2. Carrying out Mass Activities to Uphold the Model Spirit

2. 开展群众活动高扬榜样精神

Mass activities were a powerful vehicle for promoting the widespread dissemination of the model spirit, exerting a profound influence on shaping social customs, ideological guidance, and the spiritual cohesion of the people. During this period, by holding various commendation conferences, organizing literary and artistic performances, and carrying out practical activities such as volunteer services, a multi-level and all-round communication system for the model spirit was constructed.

群众活动是促进榜样精神广泛传播的有力载体，对社会风尚塑造、思想引领及民众精神凝聚产生了深远影响。这一时期通过举办各类表彰大会、组织文艺表演以及开展志愿服务等实践活动，构建起多层次、全方位的榜样精神传播体系。

Holding commendation conferences was an important measure to promote the dissemination of the model spirit. During the Yan’an period, Mao Zedong emphasized at a commendation conference that “the model labor methods of some agricultural labor heroes in the Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia Border Region (labor mutual aid, more plowing, more hoeing, more fertilizing) should be promoted in various places.” [27]27 Mao Zedong, “Speech at the Reception of Labor Heroes from the Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia Border Region” (November 29, 1943), in *Selected Works of Mao Zedong*, vol. 5 (Beijing: People’s Publishing House, 1977), p. 19. The Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia Border Region was the main base area of the Chinese Communist Party during the War of Resistance Against Japan (1937–1945). The commendation conference, as a solemn and public ceremony, built a platform for direct exchange between models and the masses. At the commendation conference, model figures from different industries and fields gathered together. With their outstanding achievements, noble morals, and selfless dedication, they became the focus of everyone’s attention. When these models stood on the podium to receive honors and commendations, their images and deeds were presented to the masses in a direct and shocking way. For example, at commendation conferences in the industrial field, labor models shared their experiences in overcoming technical difficulties and improving production efficiency, showing the broad masses of workers the direction of their efforts; at agricultural commendation conferences, outstanding farmer representatives told stories of scientific farming and leading fellow villagers to prosperity, inspiring more farmers to actively participate in agricultural construction. This face-to-face exchange broke the distance between models and the masses, allowing the masses to deeply feel that models are not unattainable “myths” but real people living around them, goals that can be achieved through effort.

举办表彰大会是推动榜样精神传播的重要举措。在延安时期，毛泽东就曾在表彰大会上强调应该把“陕甘宁边区一些农业劳动英雄的模范劳动方法（劳动互助，多犁多锄多上粪）推行于各地”。表彰大会作为一种庄重且公开的仪式，为榜样与群众搭建了直接交流的平台。表彰大会上，来自不同行业、不同领域的榜样人物齐聚一堂，他们凭借卓越成就、高尚品德和无私奉献精神成为众人瞩目的焦点。当这些榜样站在领奖台上接受荣誉与表彰时，他们的形象和事迹以一种直观且震撼的方式呈现在群众面前。例如，在工业领域的表彰大会上，劳动模范分享自己攻克技术难题、提高生产效率的经验，使广大工人看到了努力方向；农业表彰大会上，优秀农民代表讲述科学种田、带领乡亲致富的故事，激励着更多农民积极投身农业建设。这种面对面的交流，打破了榜样与群众之间的距离感，让群众深切感受到榜样并非遥不可及的“神话”，而是实实在在生活在身边、通过努力可以企及的目标。

Organizing literary and artistic activities based on model deeds was a unique and emotionally appealing way to spread the model spirit. Literary and artistic works have a strong ability to evoke emotional resonance. Actors used their exquisite performances to vividly recreate the struggle process and spiritual outlook of the models, making the audience feel as if they were on the scene, sharing the joys and sorrows of the models. For example, literary and artistic works created with Lei Feng’s deeds as the theme, by showing Lei Feng’s daily good deeds in his work and life, allowed the broad masses to deeply understand the connotation of the Lei Feng spirit, evoking people’s inner pursuit of truth, goodness, and beauty.

组织以榜样事迹为蓝本的文艺活动，是传播榜样精神的独特且富有感染力的方式。文艺作品具有强大的情感共鸣激发能力，演员们用精湛的表演生动再现榜样的奋斗历程和精神风貌，让观众仿佛身临其境，与榜样一同经历喜怒哀乐。比如，以雷锋事迹为题材创作的文艺作品，通过展现雷锋日常工作、生活中的点滴善举，让广大群众深刻理解了雷锋精神的内涵，唤起人们内心深处对真善美的追求。

Carrying out practical activities such as volunteer services was a key link in implementing the model spirit into concrete actions. Practical activities provided opportunities for the masses to personally practice the model spirit, moving the model spirit from the theoretical level to real life. By organizing various types of volunteer service activities, such as voluntary labor, poverty alleviation and assistance, and knowledge popularization, the masses were guided to experience the value of the model spirit in practice. For example, in educational volunteer service activities carried out in some remote areas, volunteers learned from the models, selflessly dedicated themselves, and imparted knowledge to local children. This hands-on practice transformed the model spirit from an abstract concept into tangible actions, further promoting the masses’ identification with and practice of the model spirit.

开展志愿服务等实践活动是将榜样精神落实到具体行动中的关键环节。实践活动为群众提供了亲身践行榜样精神的机会，让榜样精神从理论层面走向现实生活。通过组织各类志愿服务活动，如义务劳动、扶贫帮困、知识普及等，引导群众在实践中体验榜样精神的价值。例如，在一些偏远地区开展的教育志愿服务活动中，志愿者们向榜样学习，无私奉献，为当地孩子传授知识，这种身体力行的实践使榜样精神从抽象的概念转化为可感的行动，更能促进人民群众对榜样精神的认同和践行。

III. The Contemporary Value of Mao Zedong’s Thought on Model Education

三、毛泽东榜样教育思想的当代价值

“A great era calls for a great spirit; a lofty cause requires model guidance.” [28]28 This is a common formulation in contemporary Chinese political discourse, often used to emphasize the importance of exemplary figures in guiding social development. Mao Zedong’s thought on model education, as a precious spiritual asset, still holds very important value in contemporary society. It provides important inspiration and reference for model education in the New Era in terms of ideological guidance, moral construction, talent cultivation, and social governance.

“伟大时代呼唤伟大精神，崇高事业需要榜样引领。”毛泽东榜样教育思想作为宝贵的精神财富，在当代社会仍具有十分重要的价值，在思想引领、道德建设、人才培养与社会治理等方面为新时代榜样教育提供了重要启示与借鉴。

(1) The Value of Ideological Guidance

（一）思想引领价值

Guided by Mao Zedong’s thought on exemplary education, we must strengthen ideals and convictions. In contemporary society, various currents of thought clash, and some people have developed wavering ideals and convictions. The emphasis in Mao Zedong’s thought on exemplary education on firming up political faith provides us with a powerful ideological weapon. By publicizing the steadfast faith and the deeds of sacrifice for ideals of revolutionary forebears such as Fang Zhimin, we can guide contemporary youth to establish a correct worldview, outlook on life, and value system, and to strengthen their faith in Marxism and their belief in socialism with Chinese characteristics. Fang Zhimin, under extremely harsh conditions, still adhered to his communist faith and wrote immortal chapters such as *Lovely China*; this spirit can inspire contemporary youth, when facing difficulties and temptations, to always maintain their persistent pursuit of ideals and convictions.

以毛泽东榜样教育思想为引领，坚定理想信念。当代社会，各种思潮相互激荡，部分人出现了理想信念动摇的问题。毛泽东榜样教育思想中对坚定政治信仰的强调，为我们提供了有力的思想武器。通过宣传革命先辈如方志敏等的坚定信仰、为理想献身的事迹，能够引导当代青年树立正确的世界观、人生观和价值观，坚定对马克思主义的信仰、对中国特色社会主义的信念。方志敏在极其艰苦的环境下，依然坚守共产主义信仰，写下《可爱的中国》等不朽篇章，这种精神能激励当代青年在面对困难与诱惑时，始终保持对理想信念的执着追求。

Guided by Mao Zedong’s thought on exemplary education, we must promote the spirit of patriotism. Patriotism is a fine tradition of the Chinese nation. The many models fully affirmed by Mao Zedong all embody a profound patriotic sentiment. During the War of Resistance Against Japan, the Five Heroes of Langya Mountain, in order to cover the evacuation of the masses and troops, resolutely jumped off the cliff; their heroic act demonstrated a strong spirit of patriotism. In contemporary times, we should promote the patriotic spirit of national heroes and patriotic exemplars, take them as models, stimulate the patriotic fervor of the broad masses of the people, and enhance the cohesion and appeal of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

以毛泽东榜样教育思想为引领弘扬爱国主义精神。爱国主义是中华民族的优良传统，毛泽东充分肯定的众多榜样都体现出深厚的爱国主义情怀。在抗日战争时期，狼牙山五壮士为了掩护群众和部队转移，毅然决然地跳下悬崖，他们的壮举彰显了强烈的爱国主义精神。在当代，我们应当通过弘扬民族英雄、爱国典范的爱国精神，以他们为榜样，激发广大人民群众的爱国热情，增强中华民族伟大复兴的凝聚力、感召力。

(II) Value for Moral Construction

（二）道德建设价值

Adhere to Mao Zedong’s thought on exemplary education, and actively cultivate and practice the core socialist values. The core socialist values are the value guidance of contemporary Chinese society. The moral requirements in Mao Zedong’s thought on exemplary education are highly consistent with the core socialist values. Lei Feng, with his spirit of serving the people wholeheartedly, became a model for practicing value norms such as “friendliness” and “dedication” within the core socialist values. By publicizing the deeds of models such as Lei Feng, we can guide people to internalize the core socialist values in their hearts and externalize them in their actions, starting from small things around them, and practicing values such as honesty, friendliness, and dedication in daily life.

坚持毛泽东榜样教育思想，积极培育和践行社会主义核心价值观。社会主义核心价值观是当代中国社会的价值引领。毛泽东榜样教育思想中的道德要求与社会主义核心价值观高度契合。雷锋以其全心全意为人民服务的精神，成为践行社会主义核心价值观中“友善”“敬业”等价值准则的典范。通过宣传雷锋等榜样的事迹，能够引导人们将社会主义核心价值观内化于心、外化于行，从身边小事做起，在日常生活中践行诚信、友善、敬业等价值观。

Adhere to Mao Zedong’s thought on exemplary education, and comprehensively raise the level of social morality. In response to the phenomenon of moral anomie appearing in society, the advocacy of noble moral qualities in Mao Zedong’s thought on exemplary education helps to raise the overall moral level of society. During his tenure in Lankao County, Jiao Yulu, despite his physical illness, led the masses to control natural disasters such as wind and sand, demonstrating the noble character of integrity, honesty, and selfless dedication. Publicizing models such as Jiao Yulu can set a moral benchmark for the vast number of Party members, cadres, and the masses, guiding people to consciously observe social ethics, professional ethics, and family virtues, and to create a clean and upright social environment.

坚持毛泽东榜样教育思想，全面提升社会道德水平。针对社会中出现道德失范的现象，毛泽东榜样教育思想中对高尚道德品质的倡导，有助于提升社会整体道德水平。焦裕禄在兰考县任职期间，不顾身体病痛，带领群众治理风沙等自然灾害，展现出清正廉洁、无私奉献的高尚品德。宣传焦裕禄这样的榜样，能够为广大党员干部和群众树立道德标杆，引导人们自觉遵守社会公德、职业道德和家庭美德，营造风清气正的社会环境。

(III) Value for Talent Cultivation

（三）人才培养价值

Inherit and adhere to Mao Zedong’s thought on exemplary education, and cultivate well-rounded talent. The educational goal of comprehensive development in “morality, intelligence, physique, aesthetics, and labor” proposed by Mao Zedong is fully reflected in his thought on exemplary education. For example, Yuan Longping, the “father of hybrid rice,” not only achieved world-renowned accomplishments in the field of agricultural scientific research (reflecting the results of intellectual and labor education), but also possessed a firm belief in serving the people (reflecting moral education), and maintained an optimistic and positive attitude in the harsh scientific research environment (reflecting good psychological quality). Taking Yuan Longping as a model can inspire contemporary young students to set goals for comprehensive development, focus on improving their own comprehensive qualities, not only diligently study scientific and cultural knowledge but also strengthen their ideological and moral cultivation, and strive to become well-rounded talent suited to the development needs of the New Era.

传承坚持毛泽东榜样教育思想，培养全面发展的人才。毛泽东提出的“德智体美劳”全面发展的教育目标，在其榜样教育思想中得到充分体现。如“杂交水稻之父”袁隆平，他不仅在农业科研领域取得举世瞩目的成就（体现了智育与劳育的成果），还具有坚定地为人民服务的信念（体现了德育），在艰苦的科研环境中保持乐观积极的心态（体现了良好的心理素质）。以袁隆平为榜样，能够激励当代青年学生树立全面发展的目标，注重自身综合素质的提升，不仅要努力学习科学文化知识，还要加强思想道德修养，努力使自己成为适应新时代发展需求的全面发展的人才。

Promote and adhere to Mao Zedong’s thought on exemplary education, and stimulate the innovative spirit and practical ability of talent. Mao Zedong’s thought on exemplary education emphasizes the importance of practice. In the field of contemporary scientific and technological innovation, Tu Youyou’s team, in the process of researching artemisinin, underwent countless experiments, overcame numerous difficulties, and ultimately achieved success, making a tremendous contribution to global health. Their spirit of practical exploration is precisely the inheritance and development of the emphasis on practice in Mao Zedong’s thought on exemplary education. Publicizing the deeds of models such as Tu Youyou can inspire the vast number of scientific researchers and young students to have the spirit of daring to innovate and practice.

弘扬坚持毛泽东榜样教育思想，激发人才的创新精神与实践能力。毛泽东榜样教育思想强调实践的重要性。在当代科技创新领域，屠呦呦团队在研究青蒿素的过程中，历经无数次实验，克服重重困难，最终取得成功，为全球健康事业作出巨大贡献。他们的实践探索精神正是对毛泽东榜样教育思想中注重实践的传承与发扬。宣传屠呦呦等榜样的事迹，能够激发广大科研工作者和青年学生勇于创新、敢于实践的精神。

(IV) Value for Social Governance

（四）社会治理价值

Promote the exemplary spirit to foster social harmony and stability. In contemporary society, contradictions and problems still exist. By setting up models of harmonious coexistence and mutual assistance, Mao Zedong’s thought on exemplary education can promote social harmony and stability. In community construction, some outstanding community workers, such as Lin Dan, actively mediate neighborhood disputes and organize community residents to carry out various mutual aid activities, creating a harmonious community atmosphere. Publicizing models such as Lin Dan can guide the vast number of community workers and residents to learn from advanced experiences and practices, enhance community cohesion, promote harmonious community development, and thereby advance the harmony and stability of the entire society.

发扬榜样精神促进社会和谐稳定。在当代社会，矛盾与问题依然存在。毛泽东榜样教育思想中通过树立和谐共处、互帮互助的榜样，能够促进社会和谐稳定。在社区建设中，一些优秀社区工作者如林丹，积极调解邻里纠纷，组织社区居民开展各类互助活动，营造了和谐的社区氛围。宣传林丹这样的榜样，能够引导广大社区工作者和居民学习先进的经验与做法，增强社区凝聚力，促进社区和谐发展，进而推动整个社会的和谐稳定。

Use exemplary demonstration to promote the modernization of grassroots governance. The emphasis on mass participation in Mao Zedong’s thought on exemplary education provides ideas for promoting the modernization of grassroots governance. During the implementation of the rural revitalization strategy, some village cadres, such as Huang Shiyan, went deep into the grassroots, led the masses to develop characteristic industries, and achieved poverty alleviation and prosperity. They have become models for grassroots governance, inspiring more grassroots cadres to act proactively. By leveraging the exemplary and leading role of models, we can enhance the effectiveness of grassroots governance and promote the modernization of the grassroots governance system and governance capacity.

运用榜样示范推动基层治理现代化。毛泽东榜样教育思想中对群众参与的重视，为推动基层治理现代化提供了思路。在乡村振兴战略实施过程中，一些乡村干部如黄诗燕，深入基层，带领群众发展特色产业，实现脱贫致富。他们成为基层治理的榜样，激励着更多基层干部积极作为。通过发挥榜样的示范引领作用，能够提升基层治理的效能，推动基层治理体系和治理能力现代化。

In the New Era, we should deeply excavate, inherit, and promote Mao Zedong’s thought on exemplary education, combine it with the characteristics of the times and development needs, innovate the methods and means of exemplary education, give full play to the exemplary and leading role of models, and unite the strength of the whole society to strive for the realization of the Chinese Dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. At the same time, with the continuous development of society, we must persistently explore the application value of Mao Zedong’s thought on exemplary education in new fields and new issues, so that it continuously radiates new vitality and vigor.

在新时代，我们应深入挖掘、传承与弘扬毛泽东榜样教育思想，结合时代特点与发展需求，创新榜样教育的方式方法，充分发挥榜样的示范引领作用，凝聚起全社会的力量，为实现中华民族伟大复兴的中国梦而努力奋斗。同时，随着社会的不断发展，我们要持续探索毛泽东榜样教育思想在新领域、新问题上的应用价值，使其不断焕发出新的生机与活力。