On Struggle

Personal frustrations, decline of nature and society in modern times call for an urgent response from political and ideological education theories, the theoretical self-consciousness of which comes from the profound retrospection on the survival plight of human beings in reality.The history of human society is one of struggle which finds its epitome in modern society. It is therefore vital and necessary to give prominence to "struggle" as a significant subject of political and ideological education, and it needs to be explored by the learning community at large, from the perspective of philosophy, ethics, psychology, sociology, religion, etc.. Still, such attention is far from adequate due to the theoretical confusion caused by our increasingly superficial views on“struggle”as a scientific learning and the tendency of such theories becoming more and more flashy with little substance; it is also the result of practice confusion directed to various types of earnest strugglers in their frantic, almost mad calls for struggle today. A systematic study of“struggle”should able to meet the requirements of the current society in its development, and give the nation a right direction for its nationwide socialist construction drive with Chinese characteristics, in the process of which, the inner strength of“struggle”may well be revealed, and the political and ideological education much advanced; it may also contribute to the promotion of better“struggle”theories in the way of being more scientific, profound, realistic and adaptive, so cutting out a smooth path for people today to extricate themselves from the confusion and loneliness of nihilism never experienced before in human history.Based on the dialectical materialism and historical materialism, starting from the struggle theory of Marxism, and from the struggle viewpoint of classical Marxists and the Chinese Communist Party, this dissertation, by discussing the definition and connotation of the term“struggle”, recalling the theoretical basis and ideological resources of“struggle”, analyzing the truth and value criterion of“struggle”, as well as the difference and innovation mechanism of“struggle”, and the objective and approach of struggle, attempts to explore and discuss such issues as“what is struggle”,“why to struggle”, and“how to struggle”, with a view to providing both theoretical and practical foundations significant for individual, collective, national and societal“struggles”. This thesis comprises the following main points:First, on the basis of a quotation of domestic and foreign literature, definitions of the term“struggle”are made from the perspective of political and ideological education, with patterns of struggle put forward, aims of struggle indicated and the nature of struggle revealed.Second, a review of the theoretical basis and ideological resources of“struggle”. Included here is a description of the outlooks of struggle of Marxism as ones based on dialectical and historical materialism characteristic of classical Marxism and Marxist parties, from where basic viewpoints and positions on struggle as well as the basic principles and methodologies are formed. Also included are the excellent ideological resources of“struggle”from both traditional Chinese and Western cultures.Third, an analysis of truth and value criteria of“struggle”. An innovative elaboration is given on truth and value criteria of“struggle”from the perspective of political and ideological education, and the organic unity of the two is pinpointed. Fourth, a study of the theory of struggle differences and the innovation mechanism.This part includes a detailed study of the differences and innovation mechanism of“struggle”, indicating that the struggle mechanism is a call of our times for a sound political and ideological education, and pointing out the necessity of establishing an orientation mechanism about fair and just“struggle”, a dynamic mechanism of reform and innovation, an integrated mechanism for development, and an stimulating mechanism for common wealth.Finally, the struggle objectives and realization paths. With an matter-of-fact analysis of“struggle’s”objectives of the subjective and the objective, idealistic and moral objectives, and those of the society and the individual, the realization paths are made clear, including the occurrence conditions, development process and realization methods of struggle; the historical process and realization indicators of struggle are also identified here, and there is an elaboration on the motive and result, practice appraisal and evaluation criteria, as well as the ultimate success and expansion of significance of struggle. In conclusion, in the actual practice of“struggle”, an individual and collective struggle must be encouraged, and national and societal struggles celebrated.