The Central Commission for Communication and Education chaired and coordinated with the Central Steering Committee for External Information and the National Political Publishing House to introduce the book "Some theoretical and practical issues on socialism and the path towards socialism in Vietnam" by General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong _ Photo: DC

Social progress and justice in socialism are the motivation, goal, and measure of genuine human liberation, enabling “humanity’s leap from the kingdom of necessity to the kingdom of freedom”⁽¹⁾, in which “the free development of each is the condition for the free development of all”⁽²⁾.

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong thoughts on social progress and justice will lead and guide the cause of building socialism in Vietnam in the new period towards the successful realization of the common goal of building socialism in Vietnam, making it a strong nation with a wealthy people and a democratic, just, and civilized society.

1. Social progress and justice are inherent characteristics of the socialist regime in general and of the socialism that the Vietnamese people are striving to build in particular

From the perspectives of dialectical materialism and historical materialism, social justice belongs to the categories of history and class. As highlighted by the Marxist classics, the root of injustice and inequality lies within the regime of private ownership. This the very foundation leading to alienation of labor, as initially indicated by K. Marx and F. Engels. They also explained why capitalism had achieved significant advancements in productive forces but still fell short of accomplishing the goal of social progress for human development. In fact, K.Marx, and F.Engels clarified, the “bourgeoisie”, originating from the heart of feudal society, “played a highly revolutionary role in history”, yet it “did not eliminate class antagonisms. Instead, it introduced new classes, new oppressive conditions, and new forms of struggle to replace the old classes, oppressive conditions, and forms of struggle”⁽³⁾.

Guided by its mission, the working class, upon overthrowing the capitalist regime and coming to power, will establish a social regime founded on constantly advancing production with an ever-increasing total national value in order to create conditions necessary for ensuring social progress and justice. In terms of communism, Marx unequivocally stated: “Man, finally mastering his social existence, thus also masters nature, controls himself, and becomes a free person”⁽⁴⁾. It is through this that mankind shall ultimately achieve the complete justice inherent in a genuinely progressive society. This Marxist perspective serves as the foundational premise for us to realize the true values of social progress and justice.

Vietnam’s development achievements over the course of a 35-year reform process have demonstrated the immortal values of Marxism - Leninism, including the actual values of social progress and justice. These principles continue to find realization and affirmation in the work of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, particularly in his book: “Some theoretical and practical issues on socialism and the path towards socialism in Vietnam”. The book highlights the fundamental attributes of such a progressive and just society: “So far, while there remain issues that need further research, we have formed a general awareness that: The socialist society that the Vietnamese people are striving to build is a democratic, just, and civilized one with a wealthy people and a strong nation that is owned by the people, has a highly developed economy built upon modern production forces and appropriate progressive production relations, and carries an advanced culture rich in national identity, where people live prosperously, liberated, and content lives, immersed in well-rounded developmental conditions, etc”⁽⁵⁾. The Communist Party of Vietnam always cares about the people, ensuring that no one is left behind in any circumstance. This demonstrates that the goal of building socialism vividly embodies Marx’s viewpoint on social progress and justice, while also reflecting Vietnam’s unique traits in the modern era. This represents the Communist Party of Vietnam’s new creative application of Marxist principles, led by General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong.

In his work, he consistently expresses the concept of social progress and justice according to Marxism - Leninism and Ho Chi Minh Thought by pointing out the laws of development of socialism, a social system for human growth that stands in stark contrast to the exploitative of nature capitalism. According to President Ho Chi Minh, “the basic law of socialist economics is to satisfy the increasing material and cultural needs of the working people, in stark contrast to the economy of capitalism that is in crisis, an economy based on the ever-increasing exploitation of the working class, the impoverishment of the labor masses, and the exploitation of colonized nations”⁽⁶⁾.

Coming from the Marxist perspective, as well as deeply grasping Ho Chi Minh Thought on social progress and justice in socialism, and while criticizing injustice in capitalism, the work of the General Secretary pointed out: “Along with the economic and financial crises, energy and food crises, depletion of natural resources, and degradation of the ecological environment, among others, are posing enormous challenges for the survival and development of humanity. These are the consequences of a socio-economic development process that prioritizes profit as the ultimate goal, considers increasing property possession and material consumption as measures of civilization, and views individual interests as the foundation of society. These also constitute the essential characteristics of capitalist production and consumption. The ongoing crises have once again demonstrated its economic, social, and ecological unsustainability. Many scientists believe that these crises cannot be thoroughly resolved within the framework of the capitalist system”⁽⁷⁾.

This is especially true in terms of the unavoidably ever-extensive social consequences stemming from the inevitable cyclical crises inherent in the capitalist economy. “The strong surge of anti-social movements in numerous developed capitalist countries in recent years has further illuminated the truth about the nature of capitalist political institutions. In fact, democratic institutions founded on the principles of “liberal democracy” that the West endeavors to propagate and impose globally do not ensure that power truly belongs to the people, is owned by the people, and serves the people’s interests - the most essential element of democracy. The system of power largely remains concentrated in the hands of a wealthy minority and operates to advance the interests of large capitalist corporations. Despite constituting a minute fraction, possibly as low as 1% of the population, this elite group possesses the majority of wealth, means of production, and controls up to three-quarters of financial resources, knowledge, and major mass media outlets, thereby exerting dominion over society at large. This is the underlying cause of movements like “99 against 1”, which emerged in the US in early 2011 and rapidly spread to various capitalist nations. The propagation of equal rights, unsupported by equal opportunities to exercise those rights, has led to a hollow democracy that merely assumes a formal guise, devoid of substantive content”. From a political perspective, when the power of money holds sway in politics, it tends to overwhelm the power of the people. As a result, in developed capitalist countries, while elections are often labeled as “free” and “democratic”, they may alter the government but not the predominant forces. Behind the façade of the multi-party system lies the reality of capitalist corporations’ despotism”⁽⁸⁾.

The above content, as emphasized by General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, encapsulates a coherent set of views regarding social progress and justice that consistently aligns with the aspiration to achieve genuine freedom and equality, attainable solely in a socialist framework. In other words, social progress, and justice, along with freedom and equality, form a foundational framework for realizing the noble ideals and values of socialism - an evolving society driven by comprehensive liberation and human development. These concepts have been continuously reaffirmed by an eminent Marxist, who also holds the highest leadership position within the Communist Party of Vietnam.

2. The path towards socialism in Vietnam is consistently directed at the objective of attaining social progress and justice, built upon the foundation of economic and cultural development, and the establishment of a law-governed socialist state of the people, by the people, and for the people.

 According to the principles of Marxism - Leninism, the material foundation constitutes the assurance of social progress and justice. Therefore, while economic growth remains pivotal in the construction of socialism, it must primarily serve the interests of the people, particularly the working class. In this regard, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong stated: “We need a society where development genuinely benefits the people, not for profit at the expense and degradation of human dignity. We need an economy that advances in tandem with the development of social progress and justice, rather than exacerbating the wealth gap and social inequality. We need a compassionate, united, and reciprocal society, driven by progressive and humanitarian values, rather than unfair competition rooted in the notion of ‘big fish devouring smaller fry’ for the selfish gains of a select few individuals and groups”⁽⁹⁾.

Affirming the pivotal role of economic development in realizing the goal of social progress and justice in Vietnam, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong generalized: “Within a socialist-oriented market economy, diverse forms of ownership and economic sectors coexist. Economic sectors operating in accordance with the law are major components of the economy and equal under the law in the interest of long-term co-existence, cooperation, healthy competition, etc. The relations of distribution ensure fairness, creates momentum for growth, and implement a distribution mechanism primarily based on labor outcomes, and economic efficiency, while also considering the contribution levels of capital and other resources, as well as the distribution through the social security and welfare systems. The State manages the economy through laws, strategies, plans, policies, and mechanisms to steer, regulate, and stimulate socio-economic development”⁽¹⁰⁾.

To underscore the role of economic development in achieving the goals of social progress and equity, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong first affirmed the validity of the understanding and practice of developing a socialist-oriented market economy. He expressed: “The introduction of the concept of developing a socialist-oriented market economy constitutes a fundamental and ingenious theoretical breakthrough by our Party. It stands as a significant theoretical achievement over three and a half decades of implementing the renewal policies, rooted in Vietnamese material reality and selectively assimilating global experiences, etc. This model represents a novel variant of the market economy in its historical evolution. It is an economic structure that conforms to market principles while being rooted in, guided by, governed by the fundamental tenets and essence of socialism, and extending across three aspects of the economy: ownership, organization - management, and distribution”⁽¹¹⁾.

Based on the economic foundation and the distinct features of socialism being constructed in Vietnam, particularly in terms of the values of social progress and justice, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong clarified: “One fundamental characteristic and a vital attribute of the socialist orientation within Vietnam’s market economy is to tightly link the economy with society, harmonize economic policies with social policies, and advance the economy concurrently with the pursuit of social progress and justice at every stage, within each policy, and throughout the developmental trajectory. In other words, the approach is not to delay the pursuit of social progress and justice until the economy reaches a certain level of development, and certainly not to ‘sacrifice’ social progress and justice for the sole pursuit of economic growth. On the contrary, every economic policy shall be oriented towards the goal of social development; while each social policy shall aim at generating momentum for economic advancement and ensuring social progress and equity; and encouraging legal enrichment should be paired with guaranteeing social security, addressing hunger, reducing poverty, and extending care to those who have rendered meritorious service to the nation and those facing challenging circumstances. This is a principle requirement to ensure healthy, sustainable development in a socialist direction”⁽¹²⁾.

Simultaneously, to successfully build socialism, with a particular emphasis on the significance of social progress and justice intertwined with cultural advancement, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong stated: “Upon our recognition of culture as the spiritual bedrock of society, an internal force, and a driving power for national development and defense, determining that cultural development synchronized and harmonized with economic advancement, social progress, and justice is a fundamental orientation in the process of constructing socialism in Vietnam. The culture we are fostering is an enlightened culture enriched with national identity, a cohesive culture embracing diversity, and built upon progressive and humanitarian values. It is a culture where Marxism - Leninism and Ho Chi Minh Thought play pivotal roles in the social and spiritual realms. It inherits and advances the noble traditional values of all ethnic groups within the country, assimilates the accomplishments and quintessence of human culture, and endeavors to create a civilized and wholesome society that champions the genuine interests and dignity of humanity, whose levels of knowledge, morality, physical well-being, lifestyle, and aesthetic sensibilities are increasingly enhanced”⁽¹³⁾.

The General Secretary affirmed, “Humanity hold a central position in the development strategy; cultural development and human development are both the goal and the driving force of the renovation process; prioritizing education and training, science and technology is a top national policy; environmental protection is a matter of vital importance, a criterion for sustainable development; building happy, progressive families as healthy and solid cells of society, and achieving gender equality are criteria for progress and civilization”⁽¹⁴⁾. The aim of successfully building socialism in Vietnam, with the core focus on social progress and equality, includes the human interaction with nature: “We aim for sustainable development that is in harmony with nature, ensuring a healthy living environment for both current and future generations, rejecting resource exploitation, extravagant material consumption, and environmental destruction”⁽¹⁵⁾.

In terms of building a political system that works in tandem with the goal of achieving social progress and justice, the General Secretary stated: “We need a political system where power really belongs to the people, is used by the people, and serves the interests of the people rather than the interests of a wealthy minority. These noble aspirations are the true values of socialism and also the goal and path that President Ho Chi Minh, our Party, and the people have chosen and are steadfastly pursuing?”⁽¹⁶⁾.

Thus, the implementation of social progress and equity is identified as the core of the general goal of the ongoing cause of building socialism in Vietnam and the prerequisite “to achieve that goal”. Accordingly, “we shall: Foster national industrialization and modernization in tandem with the growth of the knowledge economy; develop a socialist-oriented market economy; build a progressive culture imbued with national identity, cultivate human potential, improve the standard of living, and realize social progress and justice; firmly ensure national defense and security, social order and safety; implement independent and self-reliant foreign policies aimed at multi-lateralization, diversification, peace, friendship, cooperation, and development, as well as proactive and active international integration; construct a socialist democracy, promote the will and strength of great national unity, united with epochal strength; build a socialist rule-of-law state of the people, by the people, and for the people; create an all-around clean and strong Party and political system”⁽¹⁷⁾.

3. The current global situation once again affirms that the socialist system embodies the true values of social progress and justice, whereas the capitalist struggles to effectively address crises within its framework.

Since the Russian October Revolution marked the practical realization of socialism as a viable social system, Marxist doctrine has been realized, including its value on progress and social justice. These realistic values are the driving force of development not only in socialist countries but also for the progression of human history. However, following the disintegration of the socialist model in the Soviet Union and several Eastern European countries, the momentum of the global revolution waned. The pursuit of socialism was subjected to intense scrutiny and became the focal point of extensive discussions, often marked by heated debates. The concepts of a progressive society and social justice within the framework of socialism have become the targets distortion and misrepresentation by opposing forces. Consequently, there emerged the notion that these concepts solely exist within capitalism, representing an unchanging human value. However, the reality of what is considered progress and social justice in capitalism today is evident amidst the current tumultuous global landscape.

To address this notion from the perspectives of ideology, philosophy, and stances of Marxism - Leninism, Ho Chi Minh Thought, and within the current global development context, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong posed a thought-provoking question: Is it true that today’s capitalism, even in mature capitalist countries, is still developing well? Have we in Vietnam chosen the wrong path?”⁽¹⁸⁾. The paramount leader of the Communist Party of Vietnam conducted a profound analysis to identify the root causes and stated: “Since the mid-1970s of the twentieth century, and especially following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, global capitalism has endeavored to self-regulate and promote ‘neo-liberal’ policies on a global scale, thereby successfully maintaining the potential for development within its framework in the current era. However, capitalism remains unable to overcome its inherent fundamental contradictions. Crises persistently emerge within capitalist countries. Particularly noteworthy is the financial crisis and economic recession of 2008-2009, which originated in the United States and swiftly spread to other capitalist centers, subsequently impacting numerous countries worldwide. Western states and bourgeois governments pumped huge amounts of money into rescuing transnational economic corporations, industrial complexes, financial intuitions, banks, and the stock market, but with limited success. And today, we are witnessing a multifaceted crisis encompassing healthcare, society, politics, and the economy, all under the influence of the Covid-19 pandemic and the Fourth Industrial Revolution”⁽¹⁹⁾.

The tumultuous development witnessed in the capitalist world, as highlighted by the General Secretary, demonstrates that this issue is not merely a superficial, fleeting challenge that can be swiftly overcome. Instead: “The truth is that the inherent nature of capitalism’s free market cannot effectively address difficulties and often exacerbates severe challenges in impoverished nations. This intensifies the conflict between global labor and capital. Consequently, this reality undermines economic theories and development models that were long considered in vogue, lauded by numerous bourgeois politicians, and deemed optimal and reasonable by their experts”⁽²⁰⁾.

The preceding analysis has thus far revealed that the uneasy development of capitalism in the early decades of the twenty-first century stemmed from its intrinsic nature and delivered a decisive blow to the notion of so-called social progress and justice existing only within capitalism. The General Secretary has stated “economic downturn exposed the truth of social injustices in capitalist societies: The living standard of the majority of the working population have been severely diminished, unemployment has surged; the gap between rich and poor continues to widen, further intensifying racial and ethnic conflicts”⁽²¹⁾.

The evolution of today’s world shows that although capitalism has always been referred to as a system of social progress and fairness, its nature has always pushed people towards depravity, injustice, inequality, and repressiveness. General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong also asserts: “Scenarios of ‘deteriorating development’ and paradoxes of ‘anti-development’ have spilled over from the economic-financial realm into the social field, sparking social conflicts, and in many places, they have evolved from economic issues to political issues with waves of protests, strikes, shaking the whole institution”⁽²²⁾, etc.. These profound analyses showcase the insight of the paramount leader of the Communist Party of Vietnam. Through the lens of a brilliant Marxist, he highlights that true progress and social justice exist only in socialism.

_________________

Received: May 25, 2023; Revised: June 17, 2023; Approved for publication: June 26, 2023.

Endnotes:

(1), (4) K. Marx and F. Engels: The Complete Works, vol. 19, National Political Publishing House, Hanoi, 1995, pp.331, 333.

(2), (3) K. Marx and F. Engels: The Complete Works, vol. 4, ibid., pp.628, 597.

(5), (7), (8), (9), (10), (11), (12), (13), (14), (15), (16), (17), (18), (19), (20), (21), (22) Nguyen Phu Trong: Some theoretical and practical issues on socialism and the path towards socialism in Vietnam, National Political Publishing House, Hanoi, 2022, pp.24, 20, 20-21, 21, 26, 25-26, 92, 27, 93, 21, 21-22, 24-25, 18, 19, 20, 19, 19-20.

(6) Ho Chi Minh: The Complete Works, vol.11, National Political Publishing House, Hanoi, 2011, p.161.