Concrete Analysis of Concrete Conditions

An important methodological principle of Marxism. It requires specific analysis of the particularity of contradictions and finding out the correct way to solve contradictions under the guidance of the basic principles of Marxism and starting from objective reality. The principle of materialist dialectics regarding the particularity of contradiction and the interrelation between the universality and particularity of contradiction is the important philosophical theoretical basis of this methodological principle.

The ideological principle of “concrete analysis of concrete conditions”, the living soul of Marxism, was put forward by Lenin. In “Communism”, Lenin said, “the living soul of Marxism is the concrete analysis of concrete conditions.” Mao Zedong reiterated this thought in On Contradiction. He particularly emphasized the importance of studying the particularity of contradictions. He said: “ It can thus be seen that in studying the particularity of any kind of contradiction—the contradiction in each form of motion of matter, the contradiction in each of its processes of development, the two aspects of the contradiction in each process, the contradiction at each stage of a process, and the two aspects of the contradiction at each stage—in studying the particularity of all these contradictions, we must not be subjective and arbitrary but must analyse it concretely. Without concrete analysis there can be no knowledge of the particularity of any contradiction. We must always remember Lenin’s words, the concrete analysis of concrete conditions.” Concrete analysis of concrete problems must be carried out in-depth investigation and research. In studying a problem, we must shun subjectivity, one-sidedness and superficiality, and avoid looking at problems in an isolated, static and one-sided attitude.

Everything Depends on the Conditions, Time and Place.

A methodological principle on social life and history put forward by Stalin. In Dialectical and Historical Materialism, Stalin said, “If there are no isolated phenomena in the world, if all phenomena are interconnected and interdependent, then it is clear that every social system and every social movement in history must be evaluated not from the standpoint of ‘eternal justice’ or some other preconceived idea…but from the standpoint of the conditions which gave rise to that system or that social movement and with which they are connected.” Therefrom he came to the conclusion, “Everything depends on the conditions, time and place.” He emphasized that without such a historical approach to social phenomena, the existence and development of the science of history is impossible. Stalin once gave an example and said that the question of “is rain good or bad for the harvest” should have different answers at different times: Rain is beneficial during drought, but it is not beneficial or even harmful during rain.

“Everything depends on the conditions, time and place” embodies the Marxist materialism, dialectics and theory of knowledge. All things and phenomena in the world are interrelated and mutually restricted, i.e., interdependent. All things are constantly changing and developing at and under certain time, place and conditions due to internal contradictions. There is no absolute immutable thing. The contradiction of things has its own characteristics in different development processes and stages. As time goes on, space changes and conditions change, things and phenomena will also change. Therefore, we must understand things from their mutual connection and development. The thought “everything varies with condition, location and time” expanded and deepened the methodological principle of “concrete analysis of concrete conditions”.