The Role of Consultative Democracy under the Constitutional Framework and the Associated Rule of Law*

The logical sequence of China’s state governance is “governing party—consultative conferences—people’s congresses—the people.” The “governing party—consultative conferences” link in the chain involves political consultation through people’s consultative conferences. The “governing party—consultative conferences—people’s congresses” link involves a process of obtaining legitimacy for the Party’s views based on political consultations which are then translated into the national will by the system of people’s congresses. The “people’s congresses—the people” link involves the two-pronged logic of elections and governing the country according to law. The “governing party—the people” link is an illustration of the party’s mass line, which essentially involves social consultation. Consultative democracy usually includes the political consultation in the “governing party—consultative conferences” link and the social consultation in the “governing party—the people” link in the chain, both of which are connected through the system of people’s congresses. This logically determines the inner relations between the Party’s leadership, consultative democracy and the people’s congress form of representative democracy and shapes the institutionalization of consultative democracy. That is, in the process of democratic decision-making, a circular system consisting of “political consultation—legislative consultation—social consultation” is created to guide development of the actual system.     

公共治理结构:变迁方向与动力——社会治理结构的历史路向探析

社会治理结构大致可划分为四类:统治型结构、授权型结构、管理型结构、共治型结构。共治型结构作为社会治理结构演进的最后和最高阶段,体现着共和主义的价值理念。公民争取公共治理权利的斗争,构成了社会治理结构变迁的根本动力,推动着社会治理结构从统治型向共治型发展。我国社会治理结构应该顺应这一发展趋势,定位为中国特色社会主义公共治理结构,"党委领导、政府负责、社会协同、公众参与"的"四位一体"结构是其理性选择。     

National Governance Quotient: The Foundation of Big Data-based National Governance

A nation’s rise or fall hinges, to some extent, upon its national governance quotient. National governance quotient, or NGQ, is a quantitative indicator measuring the governance level of a country in quotient form. Its value is the ratio of the national governance system and capacity to national governance costs, and its nature is that of an amalgam of national governance ideas and techniques quantified on the basis of the figures. It is advanced because its inner core lies in logic and computation, and it is scientific because it is guaranteed by technology platforms such as big data and cloud computing. The formulation of NGQ provides technical support and a basis for the transformation from experiential or experimental governance to quantitative, scientific governance, and it thus has great theoretical and practical significance for the modernization of national governance system and capacity. As well as being used to provide quantitative management of national governance modernization, NGQ can also be used as a measurement standard and key symbol for evaluating the modernization of China’s national governance by 2020. Furthermore, it can be used to compile a World NGQ Report with the aim of taking hold of international governance discourse, as well as to compile China local NGQ reports to improve local governance in China.     

Global Governance and State Governance: Two Strategic Considerations in Contemporary China

Governance is a kind of holistic governance and the notion of governing holistically should be established. The holisticity of governance is reflected in the unity and coordination between value rationality and instrumental rationality, normative appeal and practical appeal as well as global governance and state governance. Global and state governances are two strategic considerations in contemporary China. Actively participating in global governance and rationally promoting state governance is the rational choice of contemporary China, which plays a unique and significant role in realizing the social transformation and national rejuvenation and modernization of contemporary China. Deepening state governance with the help of global governance and promoting global governance with the support of state governance is the basic idea and dimension of understanding and grasping the interaction, coordination and overall planning between the two. The restrictions and effects of global governance on state governance are mainly reflected in such considerations as objects, mechanisms, concepts and interests of governance, and modernization of state governance system and improvement of governance capacity can promote and deepen global governance in a more effective way.     

The Implications of State Governance for Effective Global Governance

Since the Third Plenary Session of the 18^th Central Committee of the CPC put forward the goal of modernizing the state governance system and state governance capacity, research on state governance theory and practice has taken off in the Chinese academic community. However, very little research has been undertaken on the relationship between state governance and global governance. In an interdependent world where domestic and international boundaries are becoming ever more blurred, state and global governance are not just mutually connected and consistent; they also influence and constrain each other. This paper looks into the influence of state governance on global governance in terms of the differences and internal linkages between state and global governance, arguing that enhancing governance capacity is an effective way for China to participate in global governance, promote the transformation of global governance system, wield its influence as a major power, and boost its right of discourse.     

The Marxist Theory of the State and National Identity

Nation-state identity has become a focus of theoretical discussion in academia home and abroad in recent years. Under the new historical conditions, the study of national identity should take the Marxist theory of the state as its theoretical basis and stick to the Marxist view of class and class analysis so as to properly understand, guide and enhance national identity. The Marxist theory of the state has analyzed in a scientific way the origin, nature, development, succession and decay of the state, and the innovative and transitional nature of the proletarian state. We should not stop at the level of “national identity in general,” but should instead use the Marxist view of class to look at and analyze specific people’s identification with specific states. As far as the developed capitalist states are concerned, the bourgeoisie and the working class differ dramatically in their views, attitudes, emotions and beliefs toward their state. When it comes to China that is still at the primary stage of socialism, national identity needs to be studied in depth and guided in a correct way, especially under the condition of reform and opening-up. The main subjects of national identity should get optimized at all levels.

Meanwhile, measures should be taken to enhance conscious awareness of and cultivate right attitudes toward national identity.     

问题意识与超越中西——关于中国现当代哲学与中国论述的断想

在现当代中国,哲学作为时代精神一直担负着重要的文化使命。当前中国发展、繁荣文化事业的历史实践中,哲学面临的首要问题仍然是如何融贯传统与现代、东方与西方的问题,也即打通中、西、马的问题。这一问题的解决有赖于对哲学基源问题的深入探索。只有在哲学基源问题的层面取得实质性的突破,才能从根本上超越民族主义的狭隘意识,形成一套完整的中国论述,提高中国文化的话语权。     

Characteristics of China's residual welfare system for elderly people

By focusing on China's residual features of a welfare system for elderly people, this paper examines three major issues: (i) The residual welfare provision in China presents informal, incremental, hysteretic and multitrack characteristics; (ii) This residual welfare is the result of the interaction of multiple factors, including modernization, social interests, state function, political structure and cultural values; (iii) From a welfare state perspective, the ‘universal’ policy and programmes currently advocated in China are largely a modified residual model. Although certain improvements have been incorporated into the theoretical discussion of social policy, in practice, effective solutions to the existing problems of China's welfare system require a further elevation of theoretical concepts and a reformation in governance structures.     

A Community of Shared Future for Mankind—The Contemporary Development of the Social Foundations Theory of International Law*

In the traditional understanding, the social basis of the emergence and existence of international law can be summed up as an international society in which interstate conflict and cooperation and interests and contradictions coexist. In recent years, the term “international community” has been widely used in national practice and academic discourse. Many scholars believe that the development of interstate relations indicates that the international community is being transformed into a global international community. The concept of “a community of shared future for mankind” reflects China’s new understanding of the social foundations of international law. It introduces Chinese traditional culture into global governance, develops Marxist theory on the community, is concerned both for mankind as a whole and for individuals, highlights the ultimate issues of the international community, and emphasizes the international community’s union of diversity and interdependence. The idea of “a community of shared future for mankind” is of great significance for the theory and practice of international law; it reflects the emergence of methodological holism, the response of international law to the questioning of its legitimacy, and the trend toward hierarchical systematization in international law. The concept of “a community of shared future for mankind” is of great value to China’s participation in the reform of the global governance system. It will help promote appreciation of the relations between China and the world, enhance China’s international discourse power and discourse force, and promote the rule of law in international relations that China advocates.     

中华人民共和国的社会形态、历史方位及其基本政治元素辨析

国名或国号是一面公开的旗帜,人们可以根据它来判断国家的政治构成、政治方向、政治形象、政治力量。今天,中华人民共和国所处的社会形态、历史方位及其涵盖的基本政治元素有其鲜明的特色：多质态并存的社会形态,是以社会主义质态为核心、为导向的社会;新民主主义社会尚未真正成为历史,它是新中国的起跑线,“后新民主主义社会”是中国特色社会主义初级阶段的另一种表达法,是当代中国社会的历史方位和价值取向的底线;共和国涵盖的内外基本政治元素公式为：中华人民共和国=主权＋（政党＋民族＋人民＋共和）民主。     

中国特色社会主义道路与世界文明发展

中国特色社会主义道路是以马克思主义为指导的发展道路,马克思主义的特性决定了中国特色社会主义道路离不开人类文明发展的大道,是参与经济全球化并对人类文明有巨大贡献的道路。     

The Governance of Higher Education According to the Marxist View of Fairness

According to Marxism, fairness or equity is concrete, evolving, and practice-based, and has as its ultimate aim the realization of the full and free development of man. Xi Jinping Thought on Fairness and Justice underscores governing the country according to law, improving work styles, innovating the social governance model, and making social welfare and people's full and free development the point of departure and ultimate goal, in a fresh development of the Marxist approach to equity in the contemporary era. Guided by this approach, Chinese higher education institutions should break free of the traditional regimen, shifting the governance structure from bureaucratic management to shared governance and from the traditional rule of man to the rule of law. Through institutional measures and observance of the basic laws of higher education development, we can build a new type of collaborative relationship among governments, institutions of higher learning, academics and students, and society as a whole. In this way, all participants will find their proper place and realize their full potential, thus activating and enhancing the innovative capacity of higher education. Only thus will higher education institutions be able to modernize their governance systems and capacity.     

“普世价值”刍议

无论是革命战争年代还是社会主义建设时期,把马克思主义基本原理与中国的实际情况相结合,是社会主义事业取得胜利的根本保证。尤其是改革开放以来取得的巨大的成就关键在于坚持了把马克思主义基本原理同中国现实情况相结合的中国特色社会主义道路。坚持走中国特色社会主义道路既是根据当代中国实践不断推进马克思主义中国化的必然,也是今后中国继续深化改革必须坚持的伟大方针。     

改革开放是发展中国特色社会主义的强大动力

一部改革开放的实践发展史,也是一部马克思主义中国化的理论探索史。深刻的思想解放运动带动了中国特色社会主义实践和理论的伟大飞跃。30年改革开放的伟大实践积累了十分宝贵的历史经验,奠定了中国特色社会主义理论体系的实践基础和科学依据。改革开放是发展中国特色社会主义的强大动力。坚持解放思想、实事求是和生产力标准的观点,坚持科学发展观和正确改革观也就是坚持中国特色社会主义理论体系。进一步改革开放,发展中国特色社会主义,最重要的是坚持中国特色社会主义理论体系的指导。     

中国特色社会主义理论体系大众化基本经验的实践审视

审视中国特色社会主义理论体系大众化的基本经验，改革开放的成功实践给我们提供了最好的答案：要从群众的实践要求出发，而不是从经典文本出发；坚持社会主义初级阶段的国情观；在总结发展经验教训的基础上不断解放思想，用创新的理论引领党和群众一道前进；加强党风政风建设，增强理论体系的亲和力；重视宣传教育，更重视用实践说话；加强党的先进性建设，引领群众前进的方向；运用大众化的语言表达形式，强化人民群众的心理认同；坚持以人为本，坚持人民利益至上的价值目标。深入研究这个问题的出发点和落脚点是探索推动科学发展观深入人心的实践路径。     

建构具有中国特色社会主义的国家治理体系

自党的十八届三中全会后,“国家治理”这一概念正式进入当代中国的政治话语体系。准确深入地探讨国家治理的概念内涵,将建构现代国家治理体系与社会建设事业同步进行,不仅是我国克服社会转型发展问题的必然路径选择,更是我们在总结、借鉴国际经验与反思改革实践中不断实现自我超越,凝炼我国社会的公共价值共识、建设社会主义现代国家的内在要求。     

SPECIAL ISSUE： NATIONAL IDENTITY IN THE COURSE OF GLOBALIZATION

近些年,关于民族国家认同问题的研究,是国内外学术界探讨的一个理论热点。在新的历史条件下,研究国家认同问题应该以马克思主义国家观作为理论基础,坚持马克思主义的阶级观点和阶级分析,进而才能正确地理解、引导和增进国家认同。马克思主义国家观科学地分析了国家的起源和本质、国家的发展、更替和消亡,以及无产阶级国家的崭新性质和过渡性质。我们的研究不宜停留于“国家认同的一般”层面,而应运用马克思主义的阶级观点来看待和分析具体人们对具体国家的认同问题。就发达资本主义国家的资产阶级、工人阶级而言,其对国家的看法、态度、情感和信念是大不相同的。对处于社会主义初级阶段的中国来说,在改革开放的条件下,对国家认同问题更需要做深入的研究和正确的引导,而且应当优化国家认同的各个层次的主体结构,同时应采取多种措施,以增进国家认同的自觉意识和培育正确的态度。     

当代国家哲学若干问题研究述评

国家哲学的研究在中国才刚刚起步,关于其性质、对象、研究范围以及学科属性,学者们意见纷呈,目前尚未形成一个完整的体系,构建中国国家哲学必须认真分析国家哲学兴起的社会背景和学理缘由、科学内涵、马克思主义国家哲学的当代意义、中国国家哲学理论成果研究的开启和自觉等。     

Mao Zedong Is the Great Founder,Explorer and Pioneer of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics

毛泽东在革命战争年代就指明了中国革命的前途,即通过新民主主义革命不问断地进入到社会主义革命,最终建设社会主义和共产主义。新中国成立后,毛泽东创建并不断完善社会主义经济制度以及与之相适应的政治制度,领导了大规模的社会主义经济、政治和文化建设,奠定了中国特色社会主义的制度前提、思想保证、物质基础,创造了社会主义建设的有利外部环境。在这个过程中,毛泽东创造了一系列独创性的关于中国社会主义建设的理论成果,提出实现马克思主义普遍真理同中国实际的第二次结合,走自己的路,探索适合中国国情、具有中国特点的社会主义建设道路。这是毛泽东在中国社会主义发展史上的重大理论贡献,为实现马克思主义中国化第二次历史性飞跃做了充分的思想酝酿与理论准备,不仅是中国特色社会主义理论、道路、制度形成的历史和逻辑的起点,而且是中国革命、建设和改革的一条指导原则。毛泽东在探索中既留下了成功的经验,也留下了失误的教训,这两方面都为当今中国特色社会主义建设积累了宝贵经验和重要启示。因此,不论是从历史实践上还是从理论逻辑上说,毛泽东都是中国特色社会主义事业的伟大奠基者、探索者和先行者。     

A “Symptomatic Reading” of the Mass Culture Critique and Its Implications for the Reconstruction of Contemporary Chinese Literary Theory

The critique of mass culture is a core theory of the Frankfurt School. Entering China in the early 1990s, this critique enjoyed an initial but brief acclaim. As an over-reaction and over-interpretation stemming from painful historical memories, it tended to impede the impartial assessment of mass culture and the culture industry, resulting in obvious theoretical blind spots and gaps and making a “symptomatic reading” necessary. Today, the Frankfurt School’s critique of mass culture is still of value and significance as an intellectual resource and historical reference, but it warrants further scrutiny when used to analyze practical issues. Given the burgeoning of mass culture and the cultural industry presently under way in the Chinese market economy, we should rise above previous intellectual limitations and theoretical misunderstandings to give due weight and active encouragement to the positive energy of mass culture and the cultural industry. The construction of Chinese literary discourse has its own distinctive pattern, and must orient itself toward China and the contemporary era, and particularly toward the practical development of contemporary China in the current period of transition. The academic counterpart of this is a three-dimensional platform consisting of level of thought, value concepts, and Chinese characteristics.