The paper authored by Professor Yang Canming, President of Zhongnan University of Economics and Law and Director of the IIDPF, entitled Feature (III) Socialist Theory of Income Distributionwas recently published officially in Economic Research 2022, No. 3. Starting from Marx's theory of income distribution and based on Chinese practice, this article focuses on the establishment and development of a socialist theoretical system of income distribution.
In this paper, the socialist theory of income distribution is rooted in the Marxist theory of income distribution and has coalesced with Chinese characteristics in the process of development, forming a theoretical system supported by the three basic economic systems, structured by three distribution systems and considering multi-dimensional factors such as wealth, ability and social mobility. The specific points are as follows: 1) the labour theory of value and the theory of surplus value are the core of the Marxist theory of income distribution and the foundation of the socialist theory of distribution; 2) China's three basic economic systems fundamentally lay down the overall pattern of national income distribution and together constitute the most essential core of the socialist theory of income distribution; 3) with the continuous development of the practice of socialism with Chinese characteristics, the gradual formation of relatively perfect three distribution systems, which are the core elements of China's income distribution system; 4) The socialist theory of income distribution is a dynamic development theory, and as the factors affecting income distribution become more and more complex, it is important to include wealth, ability and social mobility in the overall planning of solving the income distribution problem.
Achieving fairness in income distribution is a fundamental requirement of socialism, and an important driving force in promoting socialism to a higher level of development and ultimately realising communism. Therefore, constructing a theory of income distribution that meets the national conditions of China and adapts to the requirements of socialism with Chinese characteristics has very important theoretical and practical significance. In the practical study of income distribution, it is necessary to employ a dialectical way of thinking and a development perspective to plan and make good use of the philosophical viewpoint that "everything in the world is connected" to grasp the social impact of income distribution from a holistic perspective, so as to better understand the essence of the distribution problem and thus promote the realisation of social equity and justice.
