How to correctly understand the essence of socialism

1, the classic expression of the essence of socialism

1992 when comrade Deng Xiaoping visited the south, he clearly put forward a famous assertion about the essence of socialism:

The essence of socialism is to liberate and develop productive forces, eliminate exploitation and polarization, and finally achieve common prosperity.

2. Scientific connotation of socialist essence

The scientific connotation of the essence of socialism includes two parts:

(1) "Liberating and developing productive forces" is the fundamental task of socialism.

Only by liberating and developing productive forces can we eliminate exploitation, eliminate polarization and finally achieve prosperity. Liberating and developing productive forces is not only determined by the historical conditions that countries with relatively backward economies first enter socialism, but also the inherent requirement of the essence of socialism.

(2) "Eliminating exploitation, eliminating polarization, and finally achieving prosperity with * * *" is the fundamental purpose of socialism.

Lenin, a revolutionary mentor, once explained what socialism is in a few words: "We should strive for a new and beautiful social system: in this new and beautiful society, there should be no distinction between rich and poor, and everyone should work. ..... We shouldn't make a few people rich at the expense of millions of people. This beautiful new society is called socialist society. The theory about this society is called socialism. "

3. Dialectical relationship of scientific connotation of socialist essence.

(1) Liberating and developing productive forces is the prerequisite and means to achieve common prosperity;

(2) Achieving prosperity is the purpose and motive force of liberating and developing productive forces.

4. The significance of the essence of socialism.

Theoretical significance: Deng Xiaoping emphasized that liberating and developing productive forces is an extremely important part of the essence of socialism, which is the first time in the history of scientific socialism and a major development of Marxism.

② Practical significance: Deng Xiaoping's exposition on the essence of socialism has opened up a correct path for how to build Socialism with Chinese characteristics. First of all, this exposition points out the direction for us to adhere to the basic socialist system, develop and improve public ownership and distribution according to work. Secondly, it broke through the traditional concept of taking planned economy as the essential feature of socialism and pointed out the direction for the reform of socialist economic system.

Political significance: Deng Xiaoping's exposition on the essence of socialism reflects the fundamental interests of the people and the requirements of the times, and is conducive to adhering to the Four Cardinal Principles.