Academics around the world are reevaluating Marxism as mankind faces a crisis of social and historical development. At the first World Congress on Marxism, held from Oct. 10 to 11 at Peking University, scholars reached a consensus that Marxism is a beacon to guide the human race to a brighter future.

A product of the development of human civilization, Marxism reflects the general trend of social and historical development. Marxism serves as a guideline for the self-emancipation of the human race, and it remains one of the most important systems of ideas in the contemporary world. For more than a hundred years, Marxism has brought hope to many countries in the world.

In his keynote speech, famed Egyptian economist Samir Amin said, “China, Cuba and Vietnam stepped onto the socialist path under the guidance of Marxism and promoted the shaping of the world multi-polarization pattern. The rapid development of China, especially, has proven that capitalism is not the only mode for the world pattern.”

Introduced to Africa after World War II, Marxism brought ideals and hope to a land that had been colonized for more than 300 years, said Thierno Diop, a Senegalese professor of philosophy.

Nguyen Bang Tuong, a professor from the Ho Chi Minh College in Vietnam, also spoke highly of Marxism’s role in Vietnam’s revolutions, during which Ho Chi Minh applied Marxist theories to practice and combined them with Oriental cultures, paving the way to a glorious victory.

“In China, Marxist theories have been proven right, and Marxism is evergreen,” said Georgy Tsagolov, a professor from Moscow International University in Russia. His view was echoed by many participants in the congress.

“Whether Western scholars and politicians admit it or not, the brilliant achievements made in China’s modernization are inseparable from the country’s adherence to and development of Marxism,” said Qin Xuan, a professor from the School of Marxism Studies at Renmin University of China.

Western scholars argue that Marxism in China is only ideological, which is obviously wrong, Qin said, adding that Chinese Marxism exists in three integrated forms: ideological, academic and practical.

“As an integral idea, Marxism has practical, theoretical, national and epochal characteristics in China,” Qin said.

He Huaiyuan, dean of the School of Marxism at Nanjing Political College, said the logic of “power leading to hegemony” prevailed in the past, but now despite its rise, China advocates “cooperation, peace and mutual benefit.” The current context calls for a new model of major-country relations to end zero-sum game among countries and create mutually beneficial situations through cooperation.

“The appeal made by China is consistent with Marxism,” He said.

At present, imperialism and power politics have thrown the world into a plight, while the fall-out of capitalist economic crisis continues.

Michael Lebowitz, a professor from Simon Fraser University in Canada, pointed out the current “tragedy of global community” occurring within capitalism system. Indifferent, selfish profit-seekers aim to profit from the “community” as much as they can, and no agreement has yet been reached on how to manage the community, Lebowitz said.

It is essential to end capitalism-specific “alienation” with the goal of realizing “workers’ self-management,” Lebowitz said. The Marxist perspective is conducive to environmental and human activities as well as the self-emancipation of the human race, he said.

Marxist economic theory is one of the few theories that can explain all capitalism-related crises that have occurred since the 20th century, said Vamsi Vakulabharanam, an associate professor from the University of Massachusetts in the US.

Han Zhen, Party secretary of Beijing Foreign Studies University, added, “Marxism has never withered away and is irreplaceable. Although it sinks into a low tide sometimes, social demands will raise it, as always.”

Translated by Chen Mirong