The Evolution of “Socialism with Chinese Characteristics”: Its Elliptical Structure of Socialist Principles and China's Realities*

Abstract

Since the early 20th century, China has sought an avenue for the Sinification of Marxism. China has attempted to integrate the socialist principles with China's concrete realities under the condition of new historical contexts. “Socialism with Chinese characteristics” is a product of those efforts. The fundamental nature of “socialism with Chinese characteristics” though, is at the center of controversy because its conceptual definition is unclear and incoherent. Indeed, socialism with Chinese characteristics has unceasingly evolved along with changes in historical settings, showing diverse patterns of practice. Accordingly, this paper sees “socialism with Chinese characteristics” as a work in progress that is still evolving along with the interaction between the socialist principles (ideology) and Chinese characteristics (reality). Ideally the ultimate goal of “socialism with Chinese characteristics” is to achieve national salvation by making China strong and rich. However, this desire for a strong China has been revealed in a range of volatile actions and reactions swinging between socialist principles and China's realities.This paper sheds light on the development of Chinese socialism by examining three historical periods: the integration of Marxism and China's realities in the Mao era; the road of reform and socialist modernization in the post‐Mao era; and the new road to socialist spiritual civilization in the 1990s. The journey for a new Chinese civilization started with complete denial about its traditional culture. However, what we are seeing today is China's deliberate paying attention to the traditional culture. Nonetheless, socialism with Chinese characteristics that highlights the positive influence of cultural factors is still equivocal as to whether China will maintain its current pattern of development.