Masses

The sum of all the classes, strata and social groups which have a determining impact, an impact which pushes forward the history of society, and are the driving force that pushes forward social development. From a quantitative point of view, the masses are the majority of the population; from a qualitative point of view, the masses are all the social forces which play a part in pushing forward the history of society. Lenin pointed out that, in using the word “people,” Marx did not thereby gloss over class distinctions, but combined definite elements that were capable of carrying the revolution to completion. Among them, the working masses and the intellectuals engaged in the production of the material means are the mainstay and stable part among the masses. In class society, they include all classes, strata or social forces that further social progress, and have a revolutionary nature.

The masses is a socio-historical category that constantly changes along with changes in history. Due to different periods and situations of social development, the driving forces and the objects of revolution are constantly changing, so that the concept of the masses has different connotations and extensions in different countries and different historical periods. Therefore, the concept should be examined historically. For example, the Third Estate in the French bourgeois revolution in the 18th century, including the bourgeoisie, urban citizens, peasants and proletarians, belongs to the category of the masses. During the Anti-Japanese War period in China, all classes, strata and social groups that resisted the Japanese belonged to the category of the masses. In the socialist period, all classes, strata and social groups that approve, support and participate in the cause of socialist revolution, construction and reform belong to the category of the masses. But at all times and under all conditions, the main pillar of the masses is always the working people and intellectuals who engage in the production of material means.

The masses are the creators of the history of society, and they play a decisive role in the development of the history of society. Its main manifestation is that the masses are the creators of the material wealth of society. In order to survive, men first need food, clothing, housing and other things. The masses are the bearers of the material means to produce and satisfy these needs. Engels pointed out that since classes arose, there never was a time when society could do without a working class. Without a class of producers, society cannot survive. Moreover, the masses are also the creators of the spiritual wealth of society. The practical activity of the masses is the source of the formation and development of all intellectual products. They are also directly involved in the creation of spiritual wealth. Without the practical activity of the masses, there can be no cultural and intellectual products. The masses are also the fundamental and decisive force of revolutionizing social systems and pushing forward history. The great part played by the masses in history is particularly evident in social revolutions; all genuine revolutionary movements in history have had the masses as their backbone. The hearts and minds of the masses embody the mainstream of history and the direction of historical development. Mao Zedong pointed out that the people, and only people alone, are the driving force of world history.

The creative activity of the masses is conditioned by socio-historical conditions that include economic, political and spiritual conditions. Marx said that the people make their own history, but they do not make it as they please; they do not make it under self-selected circumstances, but under circumstances existing already, given and transmitted from the past. Under different socio-historical conditions, the part played by the masses in making history varies. Therefore, the masses must follow the objective laws of social development in making the history of society.

Historical materialism holds that the masses are the creators of history and the decisive force of the development of the history of society. Therefore, upholding the mass viewpoint, implementing the mass line and giving full play to the enthusiasm, initiative and creativity of the masses are the solid foundation for the proletarian party to realize their correct leadership. Xi Jinping pointed out that “the people are the true heroes, for it is they who create history.” “The people’s yearning for a better life is the goal of our struggle”, “satisfying the people’s aspirations for a better life is the goal of all the Party’s work.” He emphasized that we should comply with the masses’ yearning for a better life, uphold the thought of people-centered development, focus on ensuring and improving the people’s livelihood, develop various social undertakings, increase the adjustment of income distribution, win the battle against poverty, ensure the equal participation and equal development rights, and make the achievements of reform and development more equitable and provide benefit for all, towards the goal of common prosperity for the people as a whole.