The principal contradiction and its evolution in the new era of the socialism society with Chinese characteristics

Xinghua Wei

doi:10.1108/cpe-09-2018-008

Abstract

Purpose Marx suggested that it is infeasible and wrong to arrange the economic categories according to the order by which they have worked in history. Their order is determined by their interrelationship in the modern bourgeois society, which is in contrast to their natural sequence or that which is in accordance with the course of history. Sometimes, a logical sequence is precisely opposite to the historical sequence. There are many efforts to be done in the study of China’s economic and social issues with Marxist logical and historical methods. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach When reading Das Kapital, we can clearly see the historical materialism methods. Another method of Marxist political economics is the scientific abstract method. Findings This is based on the new development idea to carry out scientific and technological innovation and change the focus of development from quantity to quality. With regard to the supply side structural reform as the main focus, people’s ever-growing demand for a better life can be satisfied and the higher level dynamic supply–demand balance can be kept. Originality/value In fact, measures to remedy unbalanced and inadequate development of the social principal contradiction have been plainly indicated in the report delivered at the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China. This is based on the new development idea to carry out scientific and technological innovation and change the focus of development from quantity to quality.

Highlights

Marx suggested that it is infeasible and wrong to arrange the economic categories according to the order by which they have worked in history
The thinking methods of the dialectical materialism and the historical materialism, as well as the scientific abstract methods are demonstrated in Das Kapital and Marx’s other books on economics
Another statement in Das Kapital said that methods used by the capitalists in extracting surplus labor are of their own traits and are more progressive than that of slavery and feudalism

Summary

Introduction

Marx suggested that it is infeasible and wrong to arrange the economic categories according to the order by which they have worked in history. The principal contradiction in the new era is the contradiction between unbalanced and inadequate development as well as people’s ever-growing needs for a better life. This can be interpreted as the change of China’s principal contradiction is because of the different stages it has experienced during its socialism development.

Results

Conclusion