V. Intensify Education in Socialist Democracy, Legality and Discipline

A high degree of democracy is one of the great goals of socialism and also an essential manifestation of socialist culture and ideology in the life of the state and of society as a whole. Historically, the concepts of democracy, liberty, equality and brotherhood took shape in the struggle of the rising bourgeoisie and the working people against feudal autocracy, marking a great mental emancipation of mankind. Although Marxism incorporated what was best in these bourgeois concepts, it is different from them in principle. In essence, bourgeois democracy serves to protect the capitalist system. By eliminating class oppression and exploitation, socialism has paved the way for the people to become masters of their own destiny and for democracy to advance to a new level in history. The major historical lessons to be drawn from China's socialist development are, first, that we should have mustered all our resources to develop the economy and, second, that we should have substantially extended democracy. Since the Third Plenary Session of its 11th Central Committee, the Party has stressed that there can be no socialist modernization without democracy, that democracy must be institutionalized and codified in law and that the Party must conduct its activities within the limits permitted by the Constitution and the laws of the state. The Party has taken effective measures to further democratize its political life, the political life of the state, economic management and the life of the entire society. In urging reform of the political structure, as it has done of late, the Central Committee aims-always while upholding the leadership of the Party and the people's democratic dictatorship - to reform and perfect the Party and state leadership systems and to take a step further in extending socialist democracy and improving the socialist legal system, all for the purpose of facilitating socialist modernization. This will be a very complex task. After exhaustive investigation and study, the Central Committee will work out plans for accomplishing it, so that political reform may proceed step by step and with proper guidance.

Democracy cannot be separated from legality and discipline. Socialist legality, embodying the will of the people, safeguards their legitimate rights and interests, regulates their relations and sets norms to keep their activities within proper bounds, at the same time punishing all unlawful activities that endanger society. Legality dissociated from socialist democracy can in no sense be socialist legality, nor can democracy dissociated from socialist legality be socialist democracy. Unless we strengthen our socialist legal system based on the Constitution and strengthen work discipline while combating all practices that repress and undermine democracy, we shall not be able to ensure smooth economic development and the unimpeded progress of all-round reform; furthermore, we shall not be able to maintain long-term political stability in our country. Bourgeois liberalization, which means negating the socialist system in favour of capitalism, is in total contradiction to the people's interests and to the historical trend, and it is therefore firmly opposed by the masses.

Among the measures to perfect socialist democracy and legality, the most important is education. Starting with primary school pupils, we should carry out education among the people in democracy, legality and discipline, at the same time urging them to acquire high ideals, raise their ethical standards and always to behave honourably. We should steadily disseminate general knowledge of the law among all our people. This will make them aware of the way they are expected to conduct themselves as socialist citizens and help them to understand their fundamental rights and duties. It will also acquaint them with the laws and regulations directly related to their respective jobs and other aspects of their lives, so that they can cultivate the fine habit of observing those laws and regulations. All citizens should abide by the Constitution of the state, and Party members should, in addition, abide by the Constitution of the Party. It should be an unshakable principle in our political and social life that everyone is equal before the law and everyone is equally bound to follow regulations. On no account shall anyone be allowed the privilege of flouting laws and regulations with impunity.

The people's democratic dictatorship is a powerful weapon for protecting the people and defending the cause of modernization. In accordance with the law, we should prosecute all hostile persons who sabotage our socialist system, punish all criminals including those guilty of economic crimes, and stamp out all unlawful activities detrimental to the people's interests, such as prostitution, drug addiction, gambling, and the dissemination of pornographic videotapes and publications.