Tran Huu Tien^*
Communist Review, No.105/2006

At the threshold of the 10^th Party Congress, the issue of socialist orientation has received much public attention. Party officials and members have had heated debates about the issue. In my opinion, the prominent feature is high unanimity and agreement to continue the path of socialism as stated in the Party document and to step up the renovation process to realise socialist objectives. It is common to different opinions about "socialism", "socialist orientation" and renewal solutions, particularly when each step of the renewal process and socialist construction raises many unanswered questions. However, there are also doubts about or even rejection of socialism. The criticism of socialism by some media, including the internet seems louder than its confirmation. Objections to socialism are often expressed in different ways, sometimes indirectly and obliquely. They typically oppose renovation against socialist orientation, saying that adopting socialist orientation is a hesitant from a form of renovation. They maintain that upholding socialist orientation prevents development and continuing the path of socialism only makes our country "out of place in the development process of the world". Many opinions say that it is an old way of thinking when continuing to confirm "the transitional period", "the key State economic sector" and "public ownership". Some asked the Party to renounce its Marxist-Leninist ideological foundation saying that the Party should generate its strength from current realities, not stick to an ideology that was formed during the 19^th century. That is without even mentioning allegations of hostile forces who oppose our revolutionary cause. In my opinion, discussions and debates must be organised to consolidate the Party’s unanimity on a principled issue relating to the Party’s destiny and the country’s future. That issue is whether we continue the path of socialism in the current situation.

Why have our Party and people been consistent in continuing the chosen path for the past 20 years and for the future? The past 100 years give us the answer. Only national independence and socialism can bring us independence and freedom, help our people master their own destiny and decide our development path. In the 1980s’ and 1990s’, when the global situation was complicated, if our Party had not persisted in following the path of socialism, we would not have carried out the renovation process while maintaining our revolutionary achievements and objectives. Neither could we resolutely and bravely give up erroneous methods and models, creatively develop new methods and models and more effectively build socialism. Figuratively speaking, while throwing out the bath water, we do not throw away the baby with it. It is national independence and socialism that have brought about wonderful changes to our country.

80 years ago when the Vietnamese people were living in dark nights of slavery, Vietnamese elites found out a correct way to save and liberate our nation. Our people’s choice was also that of our history. We did not choose capitalism as it could not bring independence and freedom to the country or give the people most of whom were workers, farmers and intellectuals the right to mastery of their own destiny. If it had followed capitalism, our colonial Vietnam would not have had the preconditions, precedence and capacity to liberate our country. In such a slave country, capitalism would only be "a feeble indigenous capitalism", depending on colonialism. Going back to the first half of the 20^th century, after the August Revolution, we wanted peace, but imperialists did not let us stay in peace. They did not only verbally attacked our country’s national independence and socialism but also used weapons to fight us. Many scholars in Western countries, including the US have said that without the struggle and victory of the Vietnamese people, the global situation would be different. If Vietnam had not undergone 30 years of wars and dozens of years of peace to overcome the consequences of war, Vietnam’s development would be different.

Some people said there was no denying that national independence and socialism has proved effective in liberating the nation. However, it no longer suits the current situation. These people forget a fundamental thing. That is, national independence and socialism generated its strength from national liberation, because national independence and socialism are the aspirations of the people.

We must clarify an issue of much public concern. Does a socialist orientation restrict changes in the ways of thinking, and prevent the country’s development? Is it not effective to develop the country ?

In the past 20 years, we have carried out the renovation process with a socialist orientation. Western observers and international financial and economic institutions such as the World Bank (WB) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have recognised Vietnam was one of the countries with the fastest economic growth rate. Vietnam’s GDP stood at 8.2% between from 1991 and 1995, 7% from 1996 to 2000, 7.5% from 2001-2005 and at 8.4% in 2005. If the relatively fast and firm development of the past 15 years is maintained, and if the competitiveness of the economy in the next 15 years will be improves, at the same time Vietnam will not face a larger economic gap even though it is still a developing country. During the past 15 years, capitalist countries were not the countries with highest economic growth rate, but socialist countries which have successfully carried out renovation: China and Vietnam. Nevertheless, we understand that it is not easy for an industrial country to maintain a high economic growth rate. Socialist orientation does not annihilate the driving forces of development as somebody stated. On the contrary, it demands that those driving forces be maximised. These driving forces originate from the multi-sectoral economy, and operate following market mechanisms under the regulation of a socialist state governed by law. They generate their strength from harmoniously combinating of interests, especially the interests of labourers, businesses and capitalists, and from national unity to make our people rich, our country strong and our society equal, democratic and civilised. They drive the modern market mechanism, and healthy competition among economic units of different economic sectors, including the State sector. Another driving force is Vietnam’s active international economic integration, cooperation and competition. An economy without driving forces cannot continuously achieve an average growth rate of at least 7% for five years. Socialist orientation demands us fully tap the potentials of all economic sectors, including the capitalist economic sector. It is possible to say that in Vietnam, the private economic sector has had conditions to develop. Under State management, the healthy and legal development of the private capitalist economic sector does not run counter to socialist orientation. It is one of the strong driving forces of the socialist-oriented market economy.

Those who want to reject socialist orientation often concentrate their criticism on the key role of the State economic sector. They allege that the State economic sector is weak, less effective because "every one’s business is no one’s business" and without driving force. That is a biased perception. It is true that managing a State-owned enterprise is more difficult than managing a private enterprise of the same scale as structure of the the former is more complicated. However, with good management, and if subjective errors are overcome, the State economic sector’s potentials which is often high, will be promoted. The State economic sector has superiorities which have been little exploited. In reality, the development of the State economic sector does not hamper but create favorable conditions for other economic sectors including the private sector. The weakness of part of the State economic sector does not only affect the economic development but also that of the private economic sector. Some do not understand the key role of the State economic sector, and which is why they are critical. This key role does not mean that State business should be as wide-reaching as possible and that the 100% State-owned businesses must be established in all sectors. State businesses must create the right environment and conditions to assist development. They must be an important material source for the State to regulate and orient economic development. It is predicted that in the knowledge economy in the future, the State economy’s strength will be enhanced. Weaknesses and constraints of the State economy exist however, and should be overcome. We are able to overcome them.

Some people said that socialist orientation means that the State intervenes deeply in the socio-economic life. They maintained that the State must be small and the people must be big. However, they place many much demands on the State. For example, they demand that the State should shoulder all difficulties and losses caused by international competition. They said that there are essential areas in the economy, which bring little profit and the private sector does not want to be involved in those areas, which "are for the State". It is these people who wants the State and the State economic sector to "everybody’s business" but of "nobody business". They demand much from the State but do not want the State to have economic strength (except tax revenue) to manage, and regulate the economy. This concept is contradictory.

Socialist orientation is a correct developmental viewpoint, especially in economic development – a vital issue for our country which began with a primativeal economy agriculture. The core development tasks are to successfully implement industrialisation and modernisation through sustainable and industrialised short-cuts. Some one advised us to follow the development viewpoints of neo-liberalism. They said: "As we are still poor, let our country develop first. Do not be concerned about orientation yet. When our country is a developed country, we will have everything. We cannot do everything at once". However, outstanding and experienced figures like professor Stiglitz - a Nobel prize winner - advised us to choose a sustainable development path, harmoniously combining economy and society. Current development should not leave heavy debts for the next generations to pay. His advice is similar to the socialist-oriented development viewpoint. We have clearly identified that the development policy of Vietnam is to make our people prosperous, our country strong and our society equal and civilised. This development must be people-oriented and for the people. When we talk about people, they are not only a special part of society, a class, a strata, a locality. But they are the entire community. All people have the same opportunity for development and access to the fruits of development on par with their contribution to the country’s growth. The people not only the drive development but are considered the objective of development. We ensure the legitimate interests of labourers and the people in all economic sectors but not on egalitarian basis. Distribution is made mainly according to work results and economic effectiveness, to contribution of capital and other sources to production and business and through social welfare. Our Party combines economic and social policies in development, considering economic growth a material condition for solving social problems at an increasingly higher level. Effective implementation of social policies is an important motivational force for economic development. One of the prominent features of socialist orientation is the harmonious combination of economic growth with social progress and equity at each step and with each development policy. Socialist orientation means neither egalitarianism nor equal poverty or equal prosperity. It does not rule out inequality, or a gap. We set great store by equity in development opportunities and by creating conditions for everybody to bring up their capacities. The Party and State’s policies encourage the people to get rich legally, and develop the economy. Illegal activities like cheating and corruption are unacceptable. While encouraging the people to get rich legally, the Party and State have pursued a strategy to eradicate hunger and alleviate poverty, through generating jobs and improving conditions for the poor. Socialist orientation requires that economic development must go in hand with cultural and and educational development. It considers culture the spiritual foundation of society, education and training, science and technology the primary national way to utilise human resources - a fundamental factor for social development. Development of the market economy leads to social stratification. Letting that stratification develop freely with an excuse that stratification gives rise to motivation runs counter to the objectives of socialism. Socialist orientation requires the State to control the process of stratification, so that it will not result in an unequal society, disadvantage and suffering on the part of labourers and legally working people.

During the past 20 years, in addition to developing the economy, Vietnam has made great social achievements. Poverty alleviation has been stepped up and gained many successes. By national standards, the percentage of poor households reduced from 30% in 1992 to 12% in 2003. By international standards, the general poverty percentage decreased from 58% in 1993 to 28.9% in 2002. The percentage of poor households stood at 7% by Vietnamese standards between 2001 and2005. Globally, Vietnam is considered one of the countries that has successfully alleviating poverty. By 2000, the whole country achieved national standards on literacy and universalisation of primary education. By the end of 2005, more than 30 provinces and cities had universalised lower secondary education. Progress has also been made in public healthcare. The average longevity of Vietnamese increased from 68 in 1999 to 71.3 in 2005. The Human Development Indicator is higher than that of economic development. It is obvious that we are not lagging behind socially. Our people cannot enjoy this social welfare if the country does not follow a policy of socialist orientation.

Politically, socialist orientation consistently strengthens the people’s right to master the State, build and develop the socialist democracy, and a socialist State governed by law. During 20 years of renovation, progress has been made in legislation, execution and jurisdiction.

Our country’s socio-economic and political achievements during the past 60 years, especially in the 20 years of renovation, are attributed to the Parity’s leadership. The Party’s leadership and State power are in the hand of the masses. The people are political premises and preconditions for the country to develop with socialist orientation. This is the reason why enemies of national independence and socialism aim their attacks at the Party leaders. It is lip-service to talk about socialist construction and socialist orientation without maintaining the Party’s leadership and strengthening the people’s power. The dissemination of pluralism and a multi-party viewpoint are only ideological preparations for a change in political regime and an end to socialist orientation, according to a scenario set up by anti-national independent and anti-socialist forces.

As mentioned, during the past 20 years of development, our Party and people have made historic achievements. The cause of socialist-oriented industrialisation, and modernisation is progressing towards the goal to make Vietnam a modern industrialised country by 2020 and build a plentiful and happy life for the people. However, besides its strengths and achievements, the socialist-oriented development has met with numerous difficulties and challenges. There are weaknesses and errors in the Party’s leadership, Party building work and in State management. There are signs of unhealthy social development. The draft political reports submitted to the Party 10^th National Congress identified to these constraints. Examples include low quality, and poor effectiveness and competitiveness. Many urgent social problems have not yet been solved. Bureaucracy, corruption and waste are serious. Some Party officials and members, and even key officials are morally questionable. Some are opportunist and others corrupt. These errors have damaged the Party’s credibility, and the people’s confidence in the Party. They have also caused concern and resentment among Party members and the masses. If these problems are not overcome, the country can not develop with socialist orientation. These constraints and weaknesses are not the results of socialist orientation. They are caused by subjective reasons, firstly by weaknesses in Party-building.

As socialism is faces difficulties, capitalism gets the upper hand. It is not easy for communist and workers’ parties to persist on the socialist road. We should have, confidence and pride in the path chosen by our country. Given a firm confidence in the path of socialism, we will turn socialist orientation into practical action and hand down that confidence to younger generations.