Theoretical struggle, alongside economic struggle and political struggle, is the third form of class struggle. Theoretical struggle is not only a reflection of economic and political struggles but also exerts a profound influence on them. Lenin said, “Without revolutionary theory, there is no revolutionary movement” [1]. Revolutionary theory is the great guide to revolutionary practice. The reason why the Communist Party becomes the vanguard of the proletarian revolution is precisely because it masters the theoretical weapon of Marxism, thereby “understanding the conditions, processes, and general outcomes of the proletarian movement” [2]. However, the scientific socialist theory cannot arise from spontaneous workers’ movements; it comes from the specialized scientific research work of the bourgeois intellectuals. Therefore, even today, when such a set of theories has long been proposed by Marx and Engels and greatly developed and perfected by Lenin, Stalin, and Chairman Mao, any revolutionary cannot neglect the study and practical application of theory. The theoretical struggle section of the forum is established to promote users’ engagement in theoretical work and to enhance their theoretical cultivation. Unlike the recommended must-read section, which focuses on studying Marxist classics and textbooks, the theoretical struggle section emphasizes the practical application of learned knowledge—that is, analyzing various phenomena in capitalist society from the Marxist standpoint, viewpoint, and method, revealing the inherent contradictions of the capitalist mode of production, and illustrating the inevitable laws of socialism and communism replacing capitalism. This section will publish the results of the association’s theoretical struggle achievements in the form of articles and other formats for users to reference and discuss. Users are also encouraged to actively post and share personal insights on various theoretical topics.
It should be pointed out that theoretical struggle has particular significance in our movement at the current stage. On one hand, the socialist movement is experiencing a chaotic period, in which the leadership and dominance are not held by revolutionary Marxism but by various opportunisms such as anarchism, Trotskyism, Western Marxism, and revisionism. On the other hand, this chaotic socialist movement is fundamentally unable to combine with the workers’ movement. The root cause of all this lies in the lack of theoretical struggle. The objective situation has posed a task for revolutionaries—to thoroughly refute all opportunist factions, establish the leadership of Marxism, conduct political disclosures to the workers, and awaken the political consciousness of the proletariat—necessitating extensive theoretical struggle. However, at this moment, within our “leftist” circles, an untimely so-called “integrated work” route has appeared, advocating abandoning “theoretical debate” and rushing to “go among the workers” for so-called “propaganda” and “organization.” Among the supporters of this route, some claim to have studied Lenin’s What Is To Be Done?, and supposedly understand that struggle should not be limited to the narrow economic sphere but should strive to “instill socialist consciousness in the proletariat.” However, to carry out such indoctrination, the indoctrinators must first possess socialist consciousness, which is fundamentally impossible under conditions that belittle or oppose theoretical struggle. I ask, without the revolutionary theory of Marxism, can any “propaganda” fully explain the contradictions of capitalist society, make the proletariat realize the interests of their class and other classes in society, understand that their suffering stems from the capitalist system, and recognize the necessity of organizing to overthrow the bourgeoisie? Clearly, the supporters of this “integrated work” route have not truly grasped the spirit of What Is To Be Done?, and they are exactly the objects Lenin criticized—the modern and Chinese variants of “economists.” Their detachment from theoretical struggle in practice is wrong and reactionary.
We value theory, but do not worship it as a dead doctrine; we advocate applying what we learn. Chairman Mao said that the “purpose of mastering Marxism is entirely for application” [3], and “reading is learning, using is also learning, and perhaps the more important kind of learning” [4]. Therefore, while opposing the so-called “integrated work” route, we also oppose the “theory-only” view that indulges in empty talk without any practical application or addressing real issues—merely “reciting individual conclusions and principles from Marxist books” [5], which cannot be considered theoretical work but only reduces revolutionary theory, the guide for action, to hollow bureaucratic jargon and “party jargon.” We strive to conduct in-depth and systematic theoretical analysis of all social phenomena in capitalism—economically, politically, and culturally—which is the task we hope to accomplish through this section.
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