【Reading Classics and Learning Theories】
General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out that "it is necessary to strengthen discipline education, so that iron discipline can be transformed into the daily habits and consciously followed by party members and cadres." The formation of "conscious discipline" is a topic of profound reflection by the writers of Marxist classics. In 1919, Lenin pointed out in his essay "The Great Initiative": "The communist organization of social labour, the first step of which is socialism, is maintained by the conscious discipline of freedom of the toiling masses themselves, which overthrows the oppression of the landlords and capitalists, and the more it develops, the more it must be sustained by this discipline." "Revisiting the relevant expositions of classic writers is of great value for us to deeply understand the laws and characteristics of Marxist party discipline construction, and then to promote the study and education of party discipline with high standards and high quality.
Consciousness is the distinctive characteristic of the discipline of the proletarian party
As a code of conduct that must be observed by political party organizations at all levels and all Party members, political party discipline needs to be guaranteed by certain external restraint and punishment mechanisms. In the eyes of the writers of Marxist classics, the discipline of a proletarian political party, in addition to being externally compulsory, is also a kind of conscious discipline based on the consciousness of the proletarian vanguard and the ideal of common revolution.
In April 1861, Engels quoted British Colonel McMurdow's exposition of the concept of discipline in Brighton and Wimberdon and expressed his approval. The colonel said: "When I use the word 'discipline,' I do not mean the correction of bad behavior, but by discipline I mean the unity of habit, that which is the union of spirit and body which is aimed at achieving a certain end,—— which causes everything to act as one." It can be seen that the discipline in Engels' mind is internalized from external constraints to internal obedience consciously observed, and it is a high degree of consistency in thought and action of all members of the organization based on the guidance of common goals. The reason why the discipline of the proletarian political party is conscious is that the proletarian political party is composed of the most conscious elements of the proletariat, which is committed to safeguarding "the common interests of the proletariat regardless of nationality" and "the interests of the entire movement." The nature of the party's vanguard and the advanced elements of the party members determine that observing discipline has become a conscious choice of every party member from the bottom of his heart in the process of realizing his lofty historical mission.
In the face of the grim and complicated revolutionary situation, Lenin, from the early days of the party's founding, linked the improvement of the organizational system and strict party discipline with the promotion of the unity and unity of the party and the winning and consolidation of political power. In 1906, speaking of the concept of discipline in a proletarian party, Lenin noted: "Unity of action, freedom of discussion and criticism – this is what we clearly believe." Only such discipline is the discipline that an advanced class-democratic party should have. In Lenin's view, organizational unity should be built on the basis of ideological centralization and unity, and it is precisely the majority of party members who have the courage to sacrifice themselves for the interests of the party and the people on the basis of their identification with the party's guiding ideology and loyalty to their missions and tasks, so that they can consciously and voluntarily regard the observance of discipline as the proper meaning of achieving common political goals. At the same time, Lenin pointed out that the discipline of socialism is different from the "discipline of sticks" and "the discipline of hunger" in the exploitation of society, and that "this discipline is the discipline of the organization of trust in the workers and the poor peasants, the discipline of comrades, the discipline of great respect for people, the discipline of originality and initiative in struggle". It can be seen from this that the party discipline of the proletariat in Lenin's eyes is built on the basis of the consciousness and willingness of party members, which can not only stimulate the enthusiasm and creativity of party members to the greatest extent, but also achieve the personal identification of party members with the party and ensure the centralization and unity of the party organization.
The formation of "conscious discipline" needs to be based on certain conditions
Emphasizing the self-conscious character of a proletarian party does not mean that "conscious discipline" can be formed spontaneously. Lenin had a very clear understanding of how to establish and maintain strict discipline, which he summarized in "The Infantile Disease of the 'Left' in the Communist Movement" in three aspects: "First, it depends on the consciousness of the vanguard of the proletariat and its loyalty to the revolution, on its tenacity, self-sacrifice and heroism. Second, it is good at contacting and approaching the broadest masses of the working masses, first of all, with the proletarian working masses, but also with the non-proletarian working masses, and it can even be said to mingle with them to a certain extent. Third, it is the correctness of the political leadership practiced by this vanguard and the correctness of its political strategy and tactics, and the fact that the broadest masses are convinced of its correctness on the basis of personal experience. It can be seen that "conscious discipline" is formed under the organic unity of ideals and convictions, the mass line, and the party's leadership.
First, the cultivation of discipline consciousness is based on a high level of political theory, and the rational and conscious sense of discipline must be supported by the firm belief of party members and cadres. When talking about how to maintain strict party discipline, Lenin put the consciousness and consciousness of party members in the first place, and stressed the positive role of "correct revolutionary theory" in cultivating the consciousness of party members to strictly abide by party discipline. In Lenin's view, the maintenance of the discipline of the proletarian party must depend on the identification of the internal members with the party's program and ideology.
Second, on the question of discipline building, Lenin adhered to the materialist view of history, emphasizing that the vanguard should be measured by a discipline standard higher than that of the ordinary masses, and also demanding that close ties with the masses be regarded as an important condition for maintaining discipline. In Lenin's view, strict party discipline requires close ties with the masses, first of all with the proletarian working masses, but also with the non-proletarian working masses and under the supervision of the broad masses of the people.
Third, an intrinsic premise for the obedience of party members to the organization is that the proletarian political party, as the vanguard, takes the understanding and grasp of the law of the development of human society as the premise and the realization of the liberation and development of the nation and the country as its mission, and is able to formulate correct programs, lines, and policies to guide its members. History and reality have repeatedly shown that if there is a deviation in the party's line, principles, and policies themselves, it will inevitably lead to the party's discipline deviating from the proper direction. According to Lenin, the maintenance of discipline in a proletarian party depends on the strength of the party's leadership, the ability to formulate a correct political programme and a strategy of action, and to convince "the broadest masses of the people on the basis of personal experience".
Promote party members and cadres to strengthen their discipline consciousness
Carrying out party discipline study and education throughout the party, focusing on solving the problems of some party members and cadres who do not care, understand, and master party rules and party discipline, is conducive to cultivating "conscious discipline". It is necessary to realize that the realization of discipline consciousness cannot be achieved overnight, nor can it be done once and for all, but it is necessary to persevere and work for a long time.
Use the party's innovative theoretical achievements to consolidate the theoretical foundation of compliance with rules and disciplines. Discipline education without the guidance of scientific theories can only stay at the external discipline "requirements" and "constraints" of party members and cadres, and it is difficult to transform them into internal conscious behaviors. Therefore, on the basis of comprehensively and systematically studying Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, we should anchor the goal of party discipline study and education, carefully read the original works, learn the original texts, and understand the principles, further deepen the understanding of the importance of the party's discipline construction and the harmfulness of ignoring party discipline and violating party discipline, strengthen the analysis of party spirit from the aspects of politics, ideology, ability, style, and discipline, and promote the normalization and long-term effect of theoretical learning, so as to make it a "fixed star" for correcting thoughts and actions.
It is necessary to integrate the building of discipline into the "biggest politics" of modernization. The construction of discipline should always be based on the overall situation of the party's governance of the country, and firmly grasp the basic positioning of serving and guaranteeing Chinese-style modernization. It is necessary to have a deep understanding of the Chinese characteristics, essential requirements and major principles of Chinese-style modernization, forge a stronger and more powerful leadership force for Chinese-style modernization with strict discipline, ensure the full implementation of the Party's theories, lines, principles and policies on Chinese-style modernization with concrete, precise and normalized political supervision, and ensure that the Party can give full play to its role in guiding the direction, seeking the overall situation, formulating policies and promoting reform in leading economic and social development. Adhere to the strict tone unswervingly, enhance the people's sense of gain, happiness and security with the actual results of discipline and law enforcement, and effectively transform the work enthusiasm inspired by the study and education of party discipline into a powerful driving force for comprehensively promoting the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation with Chinese-style modernization.
Adhere to the supremacy of the people and strengthen the mass foundation for discipline building. Maintaining close ties with the masses is not only an important way to strengthen the party's leadership, but also an important guideline for carrying out party discipline study and education. The study and education of party discipline should not "talk to oneself" or "play and sing by oneself", but should fully mobilize the enthusiasm, initiative, and creativity of party members and cadres through clear directions, rules, positive trends, and strong immunity, so that they can devote themselves to the cause of serving the masses. In promoting the study and education of party discipline, it is necessary to maintain the party's advanced nature and cohesion through close relations between the party and the masses, and fully demonstrate the value pursuit of discipline building.
(Author: Luo Xing, researcher of Beijing Xi Jinping Research Center for Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, assistant researcher of the Party Building Teaching and Research Department of China Institute of Discipline Inspection and Supervision)