The National Conference on Propaganda, Ideological and Cultural Work held from October 7 to 8, 2023 conveyed the important instructions made by General Secretary *** on propaganda, ideological and cultural work, which clearly put forward the major requirements of "seven efforts", one of which is to "focus on cultivating and practicing the core values of socialism". The core values of socialism are an important achievement of the Chinese Communists in promoting the construction of advanced socialist culture, and are an important part of the cultural ideology.
The report of the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China proposed to "actively cultivate and practice the core values of socialism". The report to the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) clearly stated that it is necessary to "extensively practice the core values of socialism". The core values of socialism include three levels, among which "prosperity, democracy, civilization, and harmony" are the value goals at the national level.
"Prosperity, Democracy, Civilization and Harmony" is the goal of China's struggle in the initial stage of socialism, which embodies the provisions of the core socialist values in terms of development goals.
Prosperity and strength are like the backbone of the country, standing up the waist of the country. The prosperity and strength advocated by the core values of socialism is the organic unity of common prosperity for all people and the prosperity and strength of the country, and a new model of peaceful development and shared win-win results. Poverty is not socialism, polarization is not socialism, and the superiority of socialism is not only reflected in the fact that it can ultimately create more developed productive forces than capitalism, but also in the fact that the fruits of development can benefit all people more and more equitably.
Democracy is like the meridians of the country, dredging the body of the country. The democracy advocated by the core values of socialism is a true democracy, which is not restricted by factors such as property, status, ethnicity, gender, religion, etc., so that everyone can enjoy equal political rightsIt is a broad democracy that never protects the interests of the minority at the expense of the interests of the majority, while respecting and caring for the minority, and fully reflecting and coordinating the wishes and interests of all partiesIt is an efficient democracy that truly and comprehensively reflects the will of the people and is committed to forming a unified will and action as soon as possibleIt is a rich democracy, including all the elements of democratic politics such as electoral democracy, consultative democracy, and social democracy, and covers all areas of the democratic process such as democratic elections, democratic consultations, and democratic decision-making.
Civilization is like the edifice of the country, condensing the pursuit of the nation. The civilization advocated by the core values of socialism is the pursuit of all-round development and progress through the choice of path, theoretical guidance, and system construction. Civilization is an important symbol of social progress and an important characteristic of a modern socialist country. We must not only adhere to the core concept of people-oriented, so that material, political, spiritual, social and ecological civilization are organically unified, but also adhere to an open and inclusive innovation attitude, and integrate all the outstanding achievements of ancient and modern Chinese and foreign civilizations.
Harmony is like the blood of the country, enhancing the vitality of the country. The harmony advocated by the core values of socialism is the organic unity of man and man, man and society, and man and nature. A harmonious China is one in which democracy and the rule of law are integrated.
1. Fairness and efficiency are integrated.
1. Vitality and order are unified.
1. A socialist country that unites man and nature, upholds the ideal of lasting peace in the world, cares about the common destiny of human prosperity, and assumes the historical responsibility of sustainable development.
The author is a professor at the Institute of Communication, Communication University of China. For more lessons, see "Party Class Reference").