Origin And Change: A Research On Sinicization Of Marxism

This dissertation is a study about the concept sinicization of Marxism. Though sinicization of Marxism has highly political authority and political positioning, and the concept is widely used in many subjects, yet it is a controversial problem. Therefore, it is necessary to deliberate the concept. The author wants to get some new remarks about the problem through the study of the historical context, theory origin, changes and academic contends.The first part named introduction is an overview of the study of sinicization of Marxism and the analysis of the concept sinicization. Sinicization of Marxism is a composite concept. Study with sinicization of Marxism is an important political and theory phenomenon both in Yan'an period and in nowadays. The concept sinicization has been widely applied in many subjects for a long period. Generally speaking, sinicization means a foreign theory applied to Chinese actual conditions, and in the application, the theory embody aesthetic taste of traditional Chinese culture and reflect the distinct Chinese characteristics and style, finally, a Chinese edition theory was formatted. However, sinicization could be also understood in this way:reflecting the national identity, propagating Chinese traditional culture, extolling Chinese Ethnic People's distinct individuality. Sinicization of Marxism could be understood in those ways too.In chapter one, the author studies the historical background and the motivation of Mao Zedong put forward sinicization of Marxism in 1938:firstly, it means the independence of Chinese Communist Party from the Communist International; secondly, it symbols the inner-Party struggle between Mao Zedong and Wang Ming; thirdly, it was a theory key to the building of Chinese Marxism i.e. Mao Zedong Thought; fourthly, it embodied the political personality as well as the culture outlook of Mao Zedong; finally and most importantly, it symbolized the strategy and tactics nationalism transformation of both Chinese Communist Party's political and culture policy in Anti-Japanese War period. Besides sinicization of Marxism, concepts like National Form, Chinese work style and Chinese manner were all associated with the rising of nationalism in anti-Japanese war apparently. Sinicization of Marxism was helpful to the independence of CCP from the Communist International as well as to the integration of the communist movement with national liberation movement.In chapter two, the author summaries the theory sources of sinicization of Marxism: firstly, Marxism classical writer's theory nationalization thought was the theoretical roots; secondly, controversy about "problems and-isms" among thinkers in 1920s and the thought integrating Marxism with Chinese realities by some early Marxists paves roads to the concept; thirdly, the use of concepts like National form, sinicization by theoretical workers in 1930s may impact Mao directly. Joseph Stalin's National culture theory also was the theory sources of Mao's sinicization of Marxism.In chapter three, the author studies the reason why Mao Zedong revised sinicization of Marxism as integrate Marxism with Chinese realities and why the concept was abandoned for a long period. Besides the political pressure from CPSU and Stalin, the reason may lie in these:firstly, the changes of historical context; secondly, unscientific positioning of Mao Zedong Thought; thirdly, the unscientific evaluation of Chinese traditional culture by Mao Zedong in his later years. As for the controversy which term is more accurate, sinicization of Marxism or the concept integrate Marxism with Chinese realities, most of the controversy means little because the controversy divorced from the historical context.In nowadays, sinicization of Marxism regained use in Chinese politics. We may explain this political phenomenon through historical comparison method:firstly, the term is a symbol of countertendency; secondly, it is a key to theoretical system of Chinese socialism. Thirdly, it may also indicate the nationalism transformation of ruling party's theory. In a sense, it is a contradictions continuum of integration into the global as well as return to the traditional culture. Those are the main contents of Chapter four.Chapter five is a summary of a controversy with sinicization of Marxism in academic sector. In the study of sinicization of Marxism, some academic discourses deviate from political discourses. Yet we cannot refute those academic discourses simplistically because those two kinds of views have their theory basis and theoretical significance respectively. Those discourses can help us from different angles. It should be noted that sinicization of Marxism is not a concept that described the spread, use and development of Marxism in China objectively yet has no political outlook.Briefly speaking, sinicization of Marxism means integrate Marxism with Chinese realities, Chinese history and Chinese traditional culture. It manifests the scientific attitude and the value outlook of CCP to Marxism. The use, revise and reuse of sinicization of Marxism reflect the development and changes of China's realities as well as the assessment of Chinese traditional culture by CCP. The concept sinicization of Marxism is one of the most representative political and culture symbol in the history of CCP as well as in Chinese politics. The study with the concept sinicization of Marxism provides a unique perspective of observation about the Party's history and the development of Chinese politics. All in all, sinicization of Marxism is a practical concept. The vitality of sinicization of Marxism comes from back-depend on the history, foot on the present condition, and face to the future. Just like Karl Marx said, the philosophers have only interpreted the world in various ways; the point is to change it. Chinese·Marxism and the practice of CCP in new democracy revolution, socialism reform and construction period are the best answer to the problem what is sinicization of Marxism.