Some Norms Concerning Intra-Party Political Life

The 3rd Plenum of the 11th Party Congress has decided to shift the focus point of the entire Party’s work to Socialist modernization construction. In the new historical period, Party rules and Party regulations must be earnestly safeguarded, the Party style must be realistically done well, Party leadership strengthened and improved, creating a political picture of both democracy and centralization, both freedom and discipline, both individual peace of mind, liveliness and vigour, and unified will, stability and unity within the scope of the entire Party and the entire country. Only in this way, will it be possible to fully give rein to the revolutionary enthusiasm and work vigour of the broad Party members, and unite the entire Party and the people of all ethnicities in the entire country to successfully realize the great task of the four Socialist modernizations.

 

Our Party has, during the long-term revolutionary struggle, and especially during the Yan’an rectification movement and the 7th Party Congress, has completely integrated the experience of dealing with both positive and negative aspects of intra-Party relationships, progressively shaped intra-Party political life norms with seeking truth from facts, integrating theory and practice, close cooperation of Party members and leaders with the masses, open criticism and self-criticism, and persisting in democratic centralism as the main content. Comrades from the entire Party adhere to these norms, have united in an unprecedented way, kept in step and have obtained victories in the War of Resistance against Japan and the War of Liberation.

 

After liberation of the entire country, and during the Socialist revolution and construction, the broad Party members have basically persisted in the good traditions and the good work style of the Party. But, because the victory in the revolutionary struggle and the ruling party status that the Party occupied in the entire country created feelings of conceit and arrogance in a part of the comrades, because the Party and State democratic centralist system was not sufficiently complete, because of the influence of feudal class and capital class ideologies, harmful tendencies such as distance from reality, distance from the masses, subjectivism, bureaucratism, arbitrarism and privilege developed somewhat within the Party, at the same time, a number of flaws and errors appeared in the guidance of intra-Party struggle, damaging the regular political life inside the Party to some extent. Especially during the Cultural Revolution Period, Lin Biao and the “Gang of Four” started from the urge to usurp Party power and used the grave mistakes made by the Party of that time to commit feudal and fascist, anarchist, factionalist and splittist activities, wantonly trampling Party rules and Party regulations, cancelling the Party’s leadership, causing Party organizations, Party members’ ideas of Party nature, ad the Party’s excellent traditions and style to encounter with extremely grave harm. Since smashing the “Gang of Four”, the Party Centre has vigorously rectified Party style and Party discipline, the Party’s excellent traditions and style have already somewhat recovered. But, mending the wounds inflicted upon the Party by Lin Biao and the “Gang of Four”, also requires broad and deep education and a formidable and complex struggle. In order to completely recover and further carry forward the Party’s excellent traditions and style, complete the Party’s democratic life, safeguard the Party’s centralization and unity, strengthen Party unity, consolidate Party organization and discipline, raise Party combat capacity, the Centre reiterates the following norms concerning intra-Party political life to the entire Party, based on the present Party situation.

 

Persist in the Party’s political line and ideological line

Persisting in the Party’s political line and ideological line, is the most basic norm of intra-Party political life. The basic content of the political line put forward by the Party Centre is uniting the peoples of all ethnicities in the entire country, mustering all vigorous factors, with one heart and one mind, exerting the utmost efforts, striving for progress, achieving greater, faster, better and more economical results, in constructing a modernized and strong Socialist country. This is a Marxist-Leninist line reflecting the highest interest of the people of the entire country, and the comrades of the entire Party must persist in its implementation.

 

The ideological line is the basis of the Party’s formulating and implementing the political line. The Party’s ideological line requires to persist in the socialist path, persist in the proletariat’s democratic dictatorship, persist in Party guidance, and persist in Marxism-Leninism and Mao Zedong Thought. Our Party consistently proposes the ideological method and work method of dialectical materialism, of which the basic point is that everything starts from reality, theory relates to reality, and truth is sought from facts. Lin Biao and the “Gang of Four” twisted and distorted Marxism-Leninism and Mao Zedong Thought for a long time, violated their spiritual essence, and departed from the standard of practice, they considered every sentence spoken by comrade Mao Zedong as truth, laws and dogma, and gravely tied up people’s thoughts. Therefore, getting rid of superstition, liberating thoughts, and practice being the only standard to test truth, earnestly researching new situations and resolving new problems must be emphasized. Only in this way is it possible to develop Marxism-Leninism and Mao Zedong Thought, and to truly defend and raise high the great banner of Marxism-Leninism and Mao Zedong Thought.

 

To persist in the correct political line and ideological line, two sorts of erroneous ideologies must be opposed.

First, ideological ossification, and everything starting out from mere books, must be opposed. This ideology of not allowing reform of book contents, not allowing to say or do what books don’t contain, is a sort of anti-Marxist ideology, and is a major obstacle in implementing the Party’s political line. When we see circumstances, think about problems and do things, we must definitely start from objective reality, and must definitely integrate Marxist-Leninist basic principles with the situations and developments at home and abroad facing us; and with the concrete practice of Socialist modernization construction, we must definitely integrate the Party line, principles and policies with the concrete circumstances of concerned regions and work units, conduct research seeking truth from facts, in order to resolve all sorts of theoretical and practical questions in facing us in the process of revolutionary struggle and modernization construction.

Second, we must oppose and criticize wrong viewpoints and revisionist tendencies denying the Socialist path, denying the proletariat dictatorship, denying Party leadership, denying Marxism-Leninism and Mao Zedong Thought. Socialism is the only correct path for China to march to wealth, strength and prosperity; the dictatorship of the proletariat is the guarantee for the victory of the Socialist revolution and construction; the Party is the core force in leading the people of the entire country to realize the Four Modernizations; Marxism-Leninism and Mao Zedong Thought are the theoretical basis for guiding us in conducting revolution and construction. In the struggle to realize the Four Modernizations, we must persist in the Four Cardinal Principles from beginning to end.

Party organizations at all levels, all departments and every Communist Party member must consciously and unwaveringly implement the Party’s political line and ideological line. Adopting double-faced attitudes of  resistance, negativity, boycotting or feigning compliance concerning the Party line and Party leadership is not tolerated by Party discipline.

 

Persisting in collective leadership and opposing individual arbitrariness.

Collective leadership is one of the highest norms of Party leadership. All levels’ Party Committees from the Centre to the grass roots must implement a system integrating collective leadership and individual division of labour with corresponding responsibility according to this norm. Important questions on the deployment of all large matters and major work tasks involving the Party line, principles and policies, important cadre appointments and dismissals, transfer or punishment, or concerning mass interest aspects, as well as questions of higher-level leading organ regulations that need to be resolved collectively by Party Committees, should be resolved by submitting them to the Party Committee, Standing Committee, Secretariat or Leading Group for discussion according to the situation, and may not be arbitrarily resolved by individuals.

Under no circumstance, is it permitted to use other forms of organizations to replace the leadership of Party Committees and their Standing Committees. Organizations established by Party Committees to research and deal with any subject must conduct their work under the leadership of the Party Committee, may not replace the Party Committee, and may certainly not override the Party Committee.

Within Party Committees, resolution of problems must strictly observe the principle of the minority submitting to the majority. Secretaries and Committee Members do not have a hierarchical relationship, the secretary is a person of middle rank in the Committee. Secretaries or first secretaries must be good at concentrating everyone’s opinions, and are not permitted to have a patriarchal system where “what they say goes”.

All leadership members must support each other, understand each other and be good at cooperation. Everyone must consciously safeguard the prestige of the Party Committee’s collective leadership. When criticizing or committing self-criticism, they must both persist in principles, and be well disposed toward others.

When Party Committees discuss major questions, they must let everyone speak our freely and let each air his own views. Where differences occur during discussion, then it is necessary to both earnestly consider the minority opinion, but to not permit discussion without decision, delaying work.

Persisting in collective leadership is not to reduce or deny the function of the individual. Collective leadership must be integrated with individual division of labour and responsibilities. It is necessary to correctly define the concrete tasks for which every leading member is responsible, and achieve that there is someone in charge of everything, and everyone has special responsibilities, not all matters big and small should be brought to the Party Committee for discussion.

 

In the division of labour and responsibilities, secretaries or first secretaries bead the main responsibility for organizing Party Committee activities and dealing with daily work. The excuse of collective leadership should not be used to reduce or blot out the important function of secretaries and first secretaries in Party Committee work.

 

The relationship between leaders, parties, classes and the masses must be correctly understood according to Marxist principles. Truth must be sought from facts in leaders’ propaganda, and singing unprincipled praise is prohibited. It is not permitted to use the fawning words of the exploiting classes to praise the leaders of the proletariat, it is not permitted to twist history and concoct facts to propagate the achievements of leaders. It is prohibited to congratulate leaders on their birthday, send them presents, or pay tribute to them in letters and telegram. Memorial halls may not be set up for living persons, and memorial halls should not be set up for deceased leaders in large numbers. It is prohibited to use the name of leaders for street names, place names, enterprise and school names. Apart from foreign affairs-related activities, it is prohibited to organize meeting and seeing-off activities when leaders go away on business, put up slogans, beat gongs and sound drums, or organize banquets.

Safeguard the centralization and unity of the Party, strictly observe Party discipline.

 

Democratic centralism is the basic organizational principle of the Party. Lin Biao and the “Gang of Four” committed to an extreme leftist line and anarchism, which both destroyed democracy, and destroyed centralism; it both destroyed freedom, and destroyed discipline. This sort of anarchist poisonous influence has not been eliminated until now. Therefore, the principle of “the individual submits to the organization, the minority submits to the majority, the lower levels submit to the higher levels, and the entire Party submits to the Centre” must be sternly reiterated. Every Party member must make safeguarding the Party’s centralization and unity, and strictly observing Party discipline into norms for his own words and actions.

All Communist Party members and especially Party Committee members, must persist in implementing Party Committee decisions. If they have different opinions, they may preserve these, or submit a statement to the Party Committee of one level higher, but before the Party Committee of that level change their decision, and apart from  where implementing the decision might cause extremely critical situations with grave consequences immediately, they must unconditionally implement the original decision.

 

Factionalism must be opposed and prevented. The entire Party submitting to the centre is the number one condition of safeguarding Party centralization and leadership, and is the basic guarantee for implementing the Party line, principles and policies. Any department and any lower-level organization Party member who adopts an attitude of going his own way and governing by himself, implements what is to his liking and doesn’t implement what does not suit him, openly or covertly conducts resistance, or reverses matters without authorization, is committing acts gravely violating Party discipline.

Where there are different points of view concerning major political policy or theory questions relating to the basic interest and the entire picture of Party and State, discussion may be conducted at suitable occasions within the party. But at what time and in which way this discussion is to be conducted in newspapers and periodicals, shall be decided by the Centre. Party newspapers must unconditionally propagate the Party line, principles, policies and political points of view. Concerning this sort of major political policy and theory questions on which the Centre has already made a decision, if Party members have opinions, they may be submitted through a certain organizational procedure, but it is absolutely not permitted to openly propagate discussions that are contrary to decisions of the Centre in newspapers, periodicals or through broadcast; opinions contrary to the Party line, principles, policies and decisions may also not be scattered among the masses. This is Party discipline.

 

All Communist Party members and Party cadres must  deal with individual problems according to the principle that Party interest is higher than everything, and consciously submit to the Party’s assignments, transfers and arrangements in his work organization. If they feel that their work assignment is unsuitable, they may submit an opinion, but must submit when a final decision is made through Party organization consideration.

All Party members must closely guard Party and State secrets, and determinedly struggle against the appearance of leaks of Party and State secrets. All Party members reading documents, listening to communications and participating in Party meetings, must strictly observe secrecy discipline, and it is strictly prohibited to divulge Party secrets to relatives, close friends and other persons who shouldn’t know this sort of secrets. They must pay attention to differentiating between inside and outside, all matters classified as Party internal and not to be opened to the outside, may not be disseminated to outside the Party.

 

Communist Party members and especially all levels’ leading cadres must become models for observing State laws, observing work discipline, and observing Communist morals.

 

Communist Party members, regardless of where and when, must consider the larger picture of the entire Party, State and people, and use this sort of spirit of consideration of the whole picture to educate the masses. This is an important display of the revolutionary awareness of Communist Party members, and is an important guarantee in consolidating stability and unity in the entire country. Where minorities create trouble, Party members must according Party policy conduct propaganda and explanation to them, cautiously deal with them, and cause the state of affairs to quiet down; where some reasonable demands are submitted to them, they must persuade and help them to resolve these through regular channels. Under any circumstance, Communist Party members may not instigate, support or participate in troublemaking.

 

Persist in the Party spirit, exterminate factionalism

The Party is a struggle collective composed of model workers from the proletariat, and must persist in uniting on the basis of the principles of Marxism-Leninism and Mao Zedong thought, and oppose factionalist and splittist activities in any form that destroy Party unity and uniformity.

 

Organizing closed cliques within the Party is criminal act of splitting the Party and subverting the Party. Communist Party members are absolutely not permitted to participate in secret organizations or secret activities opposing the Party. All levels’ Party organizations and all Communist Party members must draw lessons from the counterrevolutionary activities of incitement of factionalism, organization of secret cliques, and plotting to usurp the power of the Party by Lin Biao and the “Gang of Four”, sharpen their vigilance, and determinedly prevent the recurrence of this kind of affair.

 

Factionalism is basically incompatible with the proletarian Party spirit. Making small groups and gangs for private gain, is a display of the exploiting class’ extreme individualism and anarchism, and is a reflection of the feudal class and bourgeoisie’s association within the Party.

 

If a part of Party members, conduct activities deviating from the Party line and decisions in an organized manner with their back towards the Party, those are factionalist activities. Conducting factionalist activities inevitably can hinder the implementation of the Party line, principles and policies, and destroy the political picture of stability and unity, if their development is not determinedly stopped, it can lead to the break-up of the Party.

 

At present, although open factions and cliques don’t exist within the party, there still are a number of cadres and Party members relatively deeply influenced by Lin Biao and the “Gang of Four” that still are factionalist, and are even still conducting factionalist activities; in a number of regions, departments and work units, “there are no visible mountains but there are hidden rocks”, the “ghost” of factionalism hasn’t been dispelled, and factionalists regularly resist the implementations of Party principles and policies, and higher-level decisions.

 

All levels’ Party organizations and all Communist Party members absolutely must persist in the Party spirit, and struggle untiringly to uproot factionalism. Persons persisting impenitently in factionalism, must absolutely be strongly subject to disciplinary punishment. This sort of person should not enter leadership ranks, and those already in leading positions absolutely must withdraw and step down.

 

For Party cadres and especially leading cadres, the principle of “all corners of the land” must be implemented when dealing with intra-Party relationships, that is to say, it is necessary to unite all comrades faithful to the Party interest, and unite the majority. Communist Party members absolutely have to the great Communist aspirations, strictly observe discipline, and treat others generously. When dealing with the relationship between comrades, it is only to be asked whether they persist in implementing the Party line and observe Party discipline, and their loyalty should not be doubted, nor should they be attacked or pushed out because of personal rancour, and they should not be treated differently because of intimacy or remoteness. It is absolutely prohibited to conduct sectarian activities, and be involved in small circles; it is not permitted to draw a part of the people over to one side, and exclude another part of the people; lift one part of the people and depress another part of the people. The old rags of history should not remain a nag.

 

In the relation between the Party and the people, sectarianist tendencies must similarly be opposed and prevented. Communist Party members are the minority among the popular masses, and must unite the hundreds of millions of masses around the Party, and struggle for the Four Modernizations with one heart and one mind. Communist Party members must have a model function among the masses, put dealing with hardship first, and enjoyment last, and enthusiastically unite non-Party comrades to work together.

An honest and just style of work and a system of appointment on the basis of merit must be upheld in cadre work, and appointment by favouritism opposed. It is strictly prohibited to draw factionalist lines, it is strictly prohibited to use official powers to make use of private connections within the Party, and cultivate private power. Communist Party members should be faithful to the Party organization and the Party principles, and should not pledge loyalty to a certain person. No person may consider Party cadres as personal assets, or change the relationship between higher and lower levels into personal attachment relationships.

 

Speak true words, be as good as your word

Being faithful to the cause of the Party and the people, speaking honest words, doing honest deeds, being honest people, being open and aboveboard, thinking and acting the same are qualities the Communist Party members should have. Comrades in the entire Party must absolutely strive to eliminate the unhealthy trends and evil practices of lies being in vogue, that was created during the period in which Lin Biao and the “Gang of Four” rampaged, recover and carry forward speaking the truth and not telling lies, as consistently proposed by the Party, and a fine work style of being as good as one’s word.

 

Communist Party members must be faithful and frank, and not concealing their own faults and their own thoughts and points of view from the Party organization. They must speak frankly and sincerely about people and matters, and whatever opinion or whatever criticism they have, must put it on the table. They may not be silent during meetings and gossip after meetings; they may not act in one way openly, and another way behind one’s back; they may not say one thing and mean another, or feign compliance.

 

Bureaucratic politician work styles and trafficking activities such as exchanging flattery and favours, boasts and toadiness, looking at leaders’ facial expressions, speeches and conduct, bartering away principles to do business, serving personal interests through intrigue, and stretching out hands to the party to ask for honour and positions should be determinedly opposed.

 

Communist Party members, regardless of where and when, must respect facts when dealing with others and themselves, and reflect circumstances to the Party according to the original appearance and the facts of events. It is not permitted to look at whatever the leaders require and give them that, report good news and withhold bad news, and it is even less permitted to stoop to deception, worm one’s way into confidence, honour and reward. It is not permitted to connive, suggest, inveigle, order or force the lower levels into telling lies for whatever reason or under whatever name.

 

All deception creates grave damage to the interests of the Party and the people; all those having obtained honour and positions through lies and frauds; all those using lies to cover up grave errors or to achieve other person’s objectives; all those conniving or coercing lower levels in telling lies, must be roped into Party discipline. Praise should be given to those not fearing to retaliate, or dare to tell the truth to safeguard the interest of the Party and the people.

 

All levels’ Party leading organs and leading cadres must be models of seeking truth from facts. During work, all sorts of different opinions should be heard, achievements and flaws must be understood. Lower-level comrades must be encouraged to speak their mind, and reflect the real situation. We must strive to create and preserve an atmosphere that allows people to openly raise opinions, including sharp opinions and conduct content discussion.

 

Carry forward intra-Party democracy, treat different opinions correctly

To carry intra-Party democracy forward, we must first permit Party members to express different opinions, and conduct full discussion of problems, truly achieve that no knowledge remains unspoken and speech is without reserve. As long as the Party’s basic political points of view are not opposed, schemes and intrigues are not made, no factionalist or splittist activities are conducted among the masses, no discussion violating the Party line, principles and policies are disseminated among the masses, and no Party and State secrets are divulged, when wrong words are said or wrong texts are written because of errors of understanding, it may not be considered to violate Party discipline and punished as such. The “Principle of the Three Nots” of not seizing on others’ faults and blow them up, not stigmatizing others, and not using attacks rather than constructive criticism must be strictly implemented. What we call not seizing on others’ faults and blow them up, not stigmatizing others, and not using attacks rather than constructive criticism is to prohibit wilfully exaggerating a persons faults, framing charges and indictments and committing political or organizational attacks or even persecutions.

 

It must be corrected that a part of leading cadres have patriarchal behaviour of lacking a democratic spirit, not being able to listen to critical opinions, or even suppressing criticism. As long as criticism and opinions put forward by Party member are correct, they should be accepted and received. If they truly have errors, it can only be pointed out by seeking truth from facts, and it is not permitted to investigate so-called motives and backgrounds.

 

Attention must be paid to differentiate: opposing a certain opinion of a certain comrade, does not equal opposing that comrade, opposing a certain comrade of a certain leading organ, does not equal opposing that organ, does not equal opposing leadership, and does certainly not equal opposing the Party.

 

Leading cadres utilizing their official powers to retaliate out of resentment, attack or frame charges against comrades, using methods such as “wearing small shoes” or “dressing up material” and accusing others wilfully of crimes such as “opposing the Party”, “opposing the leadership” “vicious attacks” “making line errors”, etc. commit activities violating intra-Party democratic systems and violating revolutionary moral qualities. Absurdly charging comrades daring to persist in the truth with counterrevolutionary crimes, misusing dictatorial methods, and conducting brutal persecutions, are grave unlawful crimes, and must be gravely punished by Party discipline and State law.

 

It is normal that there are different opinions and controversies on ideology and theory within the Party. To treat disputes on ideology and theory, only methods of arranging the facts, expounding the reasons and democratic discussion can be adopted to seek a resolution, and coercive methods can absolutely not be adopted. Where these ideological and theoretical disputes cannot be resolved for the moment, apart from problems have political importance or urgency, they may not be blindly concluded, and kept until later for further research and resolution through practice.

 

Wilfully labelling problems of ideology and understanding with all kinds of political tags such as “opposing the banner”, “poisonous weeds”, “capitalist class”, “revisionist”, etc, and wilfully saying that they are political problems of a nature inimical to us, not only destroys normal intra-Party political life, and creates ideological ossification, furthermore, this is easily used by careerists opposing the Party, to destroy the democratic order of Socialist countries. This sort of method must be stopped.

 

Guaranteeing that the rights of Party members are not infringed

All levels’ Party organizations must realistically guarantee all rights of Party members. Activities infringing the rights of Party members gravely violate Party discipline.

 

Party members have the right to participate in discussion concerning problems of Party policy interpretation and implementation in Party meetings and in Party newspapers and periodicals, have the right to put forward criticism at Marty meetings against any Party organization or individual. Party members having a different opinion on the Party principles, policies and decisions may put this forward in Party meetings, and may make an oral or written report to all levels’ Party organizations, right up to the Centre. Party organizations shall welcome the criticism and suggestions of Party members and the masses, and must furthermore encourage Party members to put forward creative understandings and stands to move the Socialist cause forward.

 

Party members have the right to propose recall or exchange of cadres having committed grave errors and refuse to correct or that are unqualified.

 

Party members have the right to put forward statements, complaints, accusations and pleadings at Party meetings or to higher-level organizations right up to the Centre concerning Party organizations’ dealing with themselves or other persons. Party organizations must timely deal with and relay Party members’ statements, complaints, accusations and pleadings, and may not withhold them, and the responsible work unit may not shift responsibility. Letters of complaint and accusation are not permitted to be transferred to the accused person for processing. It is not permitted to conduct retaliation against complaining persons or accusing persons. Complaining persons and accusing persons may not frame others, and persons framing others must be strictly punished according to Party discipline and State law.

 

Party organizations appraising, coming to a conclusion on or deciding punishment of a Party member, must meet with that person. At the time of passing a punishment decision, if there are not special circumstances, the said person shall be notified to attend the meeting. Party organizations must earnestly hear and consider the opinion of the said person. If the said person has a different opinion, it shall be reported together with the decision of the organization to the higher-level Party organization for examination and approval.

 

Elections must fully reflect the determination of the voters

Only by implementing true democratic elections within the Party, is it possible to establish strong leadership ranks having prestige among Party members and the masses.

 

All levels’ Party organizations shall according to the provisions of the Party Constitution, regularly organize Party member conferences and representative conferences. All levels’ Party committees must hold new elections on time. Of all representative and committee sessions’ members, a certain number shall be renewed. Elections must fully carry forward democracy, and truly reflect the determination of the voters; a candidate name list must be put forward by Party members or representatives through full consideration and discussion. For elections, a multi-candidate election method shall be implemented, in which the number of candidates exceeds the number of positions, or the multi-candidate election method may be adopted to preselect candidates, and real elections are conducted afterward. Work units with a small amount of Party members, may not implement multi-candidate elections or implement preselection. The basic situation of candidates must be explained clearly to voters. Without exception, secret ballots are used in elections.

 

Voters must pay attention to elect into leadership ranks those cadres that determinedly support and implement the Party’s political line and ideological line, do all for the public and not being selfish, closely observe laws and discipline, persist in the party spirit, have a strong heart for the revolutionary cause and a heart for political responsibility, and have certain expert knowledge and expert skills. They must also especially pay attention to elect young and middle-age cadres meeting the above conditions. It may not be stipulated that young and middle-age cadres meeting the above conditions must be elected.

 

It may not be stipulated that a certain person must or must not be elected. Specific persons having special circumstances must be recommended for election by the organization, and must also truly obtain the agreement of a majority of voters. The appearance of infringement of Party members’ election rights, making elections become a mere formality, or obstructing voters reflecting their own determination, must be determinedly opposed and prevented.

 

During the periods when all levels’ Party representative conferences adjourn, higher-level Party Committees may according to work requirements, appoint, dismiss or transfer lower-level Party Committee responsible persons.

 

All work units requiring rectification, and temporarily not having the conditions to organize democratic elections, may, with the approval of higher-level Party organizations, postpone the organization of elections, their leaders will be appointed by the higher level.

 

Struggling with erroneous tendencies, evildoers and wrongdoings

In order to rectify the Party style, consolidate the proletariat’s dictatorship, establish a desirable social morality, unite the entire people to realize the Four Modernizations with one heart and one mind, we must struggle with erroneous tendencies, evildoers and wrongdoings.

 

All levels’ Party organizations must fully give rein to their function as fighting fortresses, command the Party members and the masses, determinedly expose and attack counterrevolutionaries, those committing graft and embezzlement, criminal elements and those gravely violating law and discipline.

 

Strict criticism and struggle must be conducted against erroneous tendencies such as factionalism, anarchism, extreme individualism and bureaucratism, privilege, etc.

 

Criticism and struggle must be conducted against unhealthy trends and evil practices, erroneous and reactionary ideological trends in society.

 

Adopting a liberalist attitude of playing it safe, and not stopping, not contending with and not struggling with erroneous tendencies, evildoers and wrongdoings, but evading and dodging the, is to have abandoned the responsibility for struggle of the Communist Party member, and is a reflection of a lack of Party spirit.

 

Communist Party members, and especially all levels’ leading cadres, when struggling with erroneous tendencies , evildoers and wrongdoings, must have a fearless revolutionary spirit, dare to boldly stride forward, not be afraid of offending others, not be afraid to not consider people’s feelings, and not be afraid to be attacked and persecuted. Only in this way is it possible to surmount and correct erroneous tendencies, save persons committing errors, and make evildoers receive their due punishment.

 

Correctly dealing with comrades committing errors

In intra-Party struggle, the principles of “learning from past mistakes to avoid future ones, curing the disease to save the patient”, and “uniting, criticizing, uniting” are adopted towards comrades committing errors, achieving both goals of cleaning up ideology and uniting the comrades, is the fine tradition of our Party. Of all comrades that have committed mistakes, achievements, errors, good and bad must be appraised historically and completely, and they may not be totally repudiated because of making a mistake once; problems committed in history that have since already been thoroughly investigated or errors that have been committed but that have been corrected may not be used to pester them. On the basis of clearing up the facts, the nature and extent of the errors they committed must be concretely analyzed, and they must be helped with an enthusiastic attitude of camaraderie to recognize the cause of their error, pointed out a method to rectify them, and stimulated to make the necessary examination. We must believe that the majority of comrades committing errors may be corrected, and must give them conditions for correcting their errors and continue to work for the Party.

 

When analyzing the errors committed by one comrade, a clear distinction must be drawn first and foremost between two sorts of different contradictions. Common errors made during work or errors in ideological understanding may not be said to be political errors, common political errors may not be said to be line errors, also, problems of having committed line errors but still having the characteristics of intra-Party struggle, may not be confused with problems of a revolutionary nature, of scheming to overturn the Party or subvert the Socialist State. The contradiction between conspirators, careerists and pretending revolutionaries scheming to overturn the Party or subvert the Socialist State, and the Party and the people counts as the contradiction between enemies and us. This sort of people is in the extreme minority. Persons following higher levels or main leading persons’ committing line mistakes must be differentiated from people participating in conspiracy activities to usurp the power of the Party.

 

In intra-Party struggle, it is not permitted to implement ruthless fights, and merciless attack. It is completely necessary to conduct criticism of comrades committing errors, but it is not permitted to adopt the “public accusation meeting” method of joint attacks rushing headlong into mass action, not letting people try to defend themselves, and also not letting other comrades express different opinions, because this sort of method really is overwhelming others with power, and is not convincing people by reasoning. Within the Party, it is not permitted to treat Party members in ways that exceed Party discipline or violate State laws. It must be absolutely prohibited to use the feudal and fascist ways of Lin Biao and the “Gang of Four” to resolve intra-Party problems. So-called seizure and struggle is strictly prohibited, personal humiliation and physical persecution is strictly prohibited, trapping and extorting confessions is strictly prohibited.

 

People must be dealt with extremely cautiously. Where the contradiction between the enemy and us, and the contradictions within the people cannot be divided clearly for a while, the contradictions within the people must be resolved first. In all cases where contradictions between the enemy and us, expelment from Party membership and submission to judicial organs are involved, discretion is even more necessary. It is not permitted under any circumstance to implicate innocent relatives and close friends.

 

Unjust cases, false cases and erroneous cases since the founding of the State, regardless of which level’s organization or which leading person decided or approved them, must all be corrected by seeking truth from facts, and all false works must be overturned.

 

Comrades having committed errors, should sincerely accept criticism, education and disciplinary punishment from Party organizations and comrades. They must learn lessons, earnestly correct errors, and work even better for the Party. Persons that truly committed grave mistakes, who refuse to admit them and persist in stirring up trouble wilfully, must be punished more severely.

 

Accept Party and mass supervision, privilege is not permitted

All levels’ leading cadres must be public servants of the people, they only have the duty to serve the people diligently and conscientiously, and have no rights to privilege in politics or life. According to work requirements, it is necessary to provide certain reasonable convenient conditions to leaders and guarantee their security, but it is absolutely not permitted to violate rules for the sake of privilege.

 

In our country, people only are different in their division of labour, and there are no differences between senior and junior, the eminent and the humble. No one is a lower-raking slave or a higher-raking aristocrat. This sort of though that one’s own rights may not be subject to any limits, is a degenerate feudal privilege ideology, this sort of ideology must be criticized and corrected. Communist Party members and cadres should consider seeking privilege and selfish interests as a huge disgrace.

 

We must persist in the principles of everyone being equal before the truth, and everyone being equal before Party discipline and State laws. Within the party, special party members not accepting control from Party discipline and State laws or overriding Party organizations are not tolerated. It is absolutely not permitted for Communist Party members to use their official powers to seek personal gain.

 

No leading cadre is permitted to exceed the powers entrusted to them by Party organizations, infringe the collective powers and the powers of other people. All Party members are equal comrades and friends-in-arms, the Party’s leading cadres must treat people with an attitude of equality, and cannot consider whether their own words are correct or not, require other persons to submit, and they can even less put on bureaucratic airs, be too ready to lecture others or scold others. Where flaws and errors in higher-level leading persons, making problems appear in lower-level work, higher-levels must actively undertake the responsibility of lower levels, and conduct self-criticism first and foremost.

 

All levels’ leading cadres must preserve and carry forward the glorious traditions of our Party working diligently in spite of difficulties, and sharing joy and sorrow with the masses. They must persist in surmounting the evil tendencies in a part of leading cadres to seek for special treatment for themselves. Leaders are prohibited to violate financial discipline, and wilfully hand out money and assets. They are prohibited to use their official powers to seek special treatment for relatives and close friends in aspects such as getting into schools, transferring to schools, promotion, employment, travelling abroad, etc. They are prohibited to use public funds to invite guests or give presents in violation of regulations. They are prohibited to use public funds to build individual housing for leaders in violation of regulations. They are prohibited to make no distinction between public and private interests, use their public office for private gain, and use all kinds of excuses or concoct various kinds of pretexts to seize or squander State and collective assets.

 

All Party levels’ leading persons must consciously and strictly observe regulations concerning life treatment, and strengthen education of their sons and daughters at the same time. Where they still do not make corrections after undergoing criticism and education, if relevant regulations have been violated, they must be subject to Party disciplinary punishments.

 

No leading cadre may violate Party cadre standards and organizational principles, or promote their relatives to leading positions; or may let them intervene in Party or State work in excess of their official powers; or should appoint them in strategic positions at their sides.

 

In order to preserve the close relationship between the Party and the broad masses, and prevent the Party’s leading cadres and Party members to change from public servants of the people into lords riding over the heads of the people, methods integrating bottom-up and top-down, and integrating the inside and outside of the Party must be adopted, strengthening Party organizations and the masses supervising Party leading cadres and Party members. It must be supervised whether they earnestly study and implement the Party line, principles and policies or not, whether they observe Party discipline and State law or not, whether they persist in the fine tradition and style of the Party or not, whether they accept privileges or not, whether they have a model function in production, work, study and struggle against enemies or not, and whether they closely link up with the masses and pursue the interest of the People. It is necessary to praise those comrades with high understanding, a strong Party spirit, and a good manifestation, and criticize comrades displaying lacking education.

 

On the basis of fully marching the mass path, a complete set of systems for cadre examination, evaluation, reward and punishment, rotation, retirement, recall, etc., must be established and perfected. Through implementing these systems, it will truly be possible to distinguish achievement and error, reward and punishment, encourage advances, and urge forward the rising generation.

 

All levels’ leading cadres must regularly listen to the opinion and comment of the Party members and masses in their work units. All levels’ Party organizations must give high regard to criticism and opinions concerning leading cadres and Party members in letters or visits from the masses. Party organizations must report Party members’ and the masses’ comments, criticisms and opinions after verification to the higher-level Party Committee, to act as an important basis of evaluating cadres.

 

Every Party member, regardless of holding a high or low position, must be included in a Party organization, and participate in organizational life. All levels’ Party Committees or Standing Committees shall regularly hold democratic life meetings, exchange thought, and conduct criticism and self-criticism.

 

Study diligently, be both red and expert

For the formidable task of constructing the Four Modernizations, a cadre team grandly persisting in the Socialist path and having expert knowledge must be fostered and created, and at the same time, middle-age and young cadres suited to these requirements (including Party members and non-Party members) must be boldly promoted to leadership ranks, letting them give rein to their strong points in work, and make up for their shortcomings. This is an urgent and major political task put in front of the Party.

 

Communist Party members must be vanguard soldiers for realizing the Four Modernizations, and strive to become both red and expert. “Red” means that they have the principles of persisting in the correct political orientation, and persisting in the Four Cardinal Principles; “expert” means that they study and grasp expert knowledge on modernization construction, and become expert hands at their work. Expert does not equal red, but reds must be experts. A Communist Party member who does not earnestly study expert knowledge, and remains a layman on his duty and work for a long time, cannot make true contributions to the construction of the Four Modernizations, and his so-called political consciousness and advanced nature are empty words.

 

In order to improve and strengthen Party leadership over modernization construction, the cultural, science and technology, and professional level of all members of the entire Party must be greatly raised. All Communist Party members and especially all levels’ leading cadres, must definitely tenaciously and assiduously study and grasp expert knowledge with a high-level, revolutionary and enterprising spirit, and must become expert at their work duties. Those working in a trade must master the trade. Leaders satisfied with mediocrity or even being contented with long-term laymanship, who are ignorant or incompetent, violating objective rules, or issuing confused orders, may inevitably cause grave harm to modernization construction. Where this kind of people, after criticism and education, still cannot correct themselves, they must be dismissed from their leadership position and replaced.

 

All Communist Party Members must, with the vanguard of the proletariat as norm, strictly demand of themselves to earnestly study and comprehend Marxism-Leninism, Mao Zedong Thought, incessantly raise their level of consciousness and their ability to conduct modernization construction, in order to make even larger contributions to the construction of the Four Modernizations. Where certain Party members and leading cadres fail in their revolutionary determination, and do not study diligently, don’t work vigorously, or can’t perform a model vanguard function in production, work, study as well as struggling against the enemy, their actions do not conform to the honourable title of Communist Party member, and damage the Party’s prestige among the messes. Strict education and criticism must be conducted against these comrades. People that cannot correct themselves after long-term education, and don’t have or have lost the conditions to be a Communist Party member, should be advised to withdraw from the Party.

 

The “Some Norms Concerning Intra-Party Political Life” is an important regulation of the Party, the entire corps of Party members must earnestly study it and consciously observe it, and must earnestly examine their own work and ways according to the provisions of the “Norms”. All levels’ Party leading organs and leading cadres must drive its implementation. Any Party member, if conducting actions violating these Norms, must be subject to criticism and education, where circumstances are grave, they must be punished according to Party discipline, and even be expelled from the Party.

 

All levels’ Party Committees and Party Disciplinary Inspection Committees must regularly inspect the implementation situation of these Norms, and a report must be put forward by the Disciplinary Inspection Committee to the Party Representative Congress or Party Committee.

 

Comrades in the entire Party must definitely arouse a revolutionary spirit, and thoroughly eliminate the poisonous influence of Lin Biao and the “Gang of Four”, remove all sorts of interference and resistance, and do well the great matter of safeguarding Party rules and Party regulations, and realistically doing the Party style well, which relates to the success or failure of the Four Modernizations, and relates to the prospect and the destiny of the Party and the country, making our Party become even more united as one, even more full of vigour and vitality, and a vanguard organization for the proletariat with even more fighting strength.

 

For the correct expression of the Party political line, the General Programme of the Party Constitution passed by the 12th National Congress will be the norm.

 

关于党内政治生活的若干准则

党的十一届三中全会决定将全党工作的着重点转移到社会主义现代化建设上来。在新的历史时期，必须认真维护党规党法，切实搞好党风，加强和改善党的领导，在全党和全国范围内造成一个既有民主又有集中，既有自由又有纪律，既有个人心情舒畅、生动活泼又有统一意志、安定团结的政治局面。只有这样，才能充分发挥广大党员的革命热情和工作积极性，团结全党和全国各族人民胜利实现社会主义四个现代化的伟大任务。
我们党在长期的革命斗争中，特别是经过延安整风运动和党的第七次代表大会，全面总结了处理党内关系的正反两方面的经验，逐步形成了以实事求是、理论联系实际、党员和领导密切联系群众、开展批评与自我批评、坚持民主集中制为主要内容的党内政治生活准则。全党同志遵循这些准则，空前团结，步调一致，取得了抗日战争和解放战争的胜利。
全国解放以后，在社会主义革命和建设中，广大党员基本上坚持了党的好传统好作风。但是，由于革命斗争胜利和党在全国处于执政党地位而在一部分同志中产生的骄傲自满情绪，由于党和国家的民主集中制不够健全，由于封建阶级和资产阶级思想的影响，党内脱离实际、脱离群众、主观主义、官僚主义、独断专行、特权思想等不良倾向有所发展，同时在党内斗争的指导上发生了一些缺点和错误，党内正常的政治生活在一定程度上受到损害。特别是在文化大革命期间，林彪、”四人帮”出于篡党夺权的需要，利用当时党所犯的严重错误，大搞封建法西斯主义、无政府主义和派性分裂活动，肆意践踏党规党法，取消党的领导，使党的组织，党员的党性观念，党的优良传统和作风，都遭到了极其严重的破坏。粉碎”四人帮”以来，党中央大力整顿党风党纪，党的优良传统和作风已经有所恢复。但是，治愈林彪、”四人帮”给党造成的创伤，还需要进行广泛深入的教育和艰巨复杂的斗争。为了全面恢复和进一步发扬党的优良传统和作风，健全党的民主生活，维护党的集中统一，增强党的团结，巩固党的组织和纪律，提高党的战斗力，中央根据目前党的状况，向全党重申党内政治生活的下列准则。坚持党的政治路线和思想路线　坚持党的政治路线和思想路线，是党内政治生活准则中最根本的一条。党中央所提出的政治路线，其基本内容是，团结全国各族人民，调动一切积极因素，同心同德，鼓足干劲，力争上游，多快好省地建设现代化的社会主义强国。这是一条反映全国人民最高利益的马克思列宁主义的路线，全党同志必须坚决贯彻执行。
思想路线是党制定和执行政治路线的基础。党的思想路线要求坚持社会主义道路，坚持无产阶级专政，坚持党的领导，坚持马列主义、毛泽东思想。我们党一贯倡导的辩证唯物主义的思想方法和工作方法，其根本点就是一切从实际出发，理论联系实际，实事求是。林彪、”四人帮”长期歪曲、篡改马列主义、毛泽东思想，违反它的精神实质，离开实践标准，把毛泽东同志所说的每句话都当作真理，都当作法律和教条，严重地束缚了人们的思想。所以必须强调破除迷信，解放思想，以实践作为检验真理的唯一标准，认真研究新情况，解决新问题。只有这样，才能发展马列主义、毛泽东思想，才是真正捍卫和高举马列主义、毛泽东思想的伟大旗帜。
坚持正确的政治路线和思想路线，必须反对两种错误的思想倾向。
一是要反对思想僵化，反对一切从本本出发。那种本本上有的不许改，本本上没有的不许说、不许做的思想，是一种反马克思主义的思想，是执行党的政治路线的巨大障碍。我们看形势、想问题、办事情，一定要从客观实际出发，一定要把马列主义的基本原理同当前的国内外形势发展结合起来；同社会主义现代化建设的具体实践结合起来，一定要把党的路线、方针、政策同本地区、本单位的具体情况结合起来，进行实事求是的研究，以解决当前革命斗争和现代化建设过程中的各种理论和实际问题。
二是要反对和批判否定社会主义道路，否定无产阶级专政，否定党的领导，否定马列主义、毛泽东思想的错误观点和修正主义思潮。社会主义是中国走向繁荣富强的唯一正确的道路；无产阶级专政是社会主义革命和建设胜利的保障；党是领导全国人民实现四个现代化的核心力量；马列主义、毛泽东思想是指导我们进行革命和建设的理论基础。在实现四个现代化的斗争中，必须始终坚持这四项基本原则。
党的各级组织、各部门、每一个共产党员，都要自觉地、坚定不移地执行党的政治路线和思想路线。对党的路线和党的领导采取对抗、消极抵制或阳奉阴违的两面派态度，是党的纪律所不容许的。
坚持集体领导，反对个人专断　集体领导是党的领导的最高原则之一。从中央到基层的各级党的委员会，都要按照这一原则实行集体领导和个人分工负责相结合的制度。凡是涉及党的路线、方针、政策的大事，重大工作任务的部署，干部的重要任免、调动和处理，群众利益方面的重要问题，以及上级领导机关规定应由党委集体决定的问题，应该根据情况分别提交党的委员会、常委会或书记处、党组集体讨论决定，而不得由个人专断。
在任何情况下，都不许用其他形式的组织取代党委会及其常委会的领导。党委成立的研究处理任何专题的组织，必须在党委领导之下进行工作，不得代替党委，更不得凌驾于党委之上。
在党委会内，决定问题要严格遵守少数服从多数的原则。书记和委员不是上下级关系，书记是党的委员会中平等的一员。书记或第一书记要善于集中大家的意见，不允许搞“一言堂”、家长制。
各个领导成员之间，要互相支持、互相谅解、善于合作。大家都要自觉地维护党委集体领导的威信。在开展批评与自我批评的时候，既要坚持原则，又要与人为善。
党委会讨论重大问题，要让大家畅所欲言，各抒己见。讨论中发生了分歧，既要认真考虑少数人的意见，又不可议而不决，耽误工作。
坚持集体领导，并不是降低和否定个人的作用，集体领导必须和个人分工负责相结合。要明确地规定每个领导成员所负的具体责任，做到事事有人管，人人有专责，不要事无巨细统统拿到党委会上讨论。
在分工负责中，书记或第一书记担负着组织党委的活动和处理日常工作的主要责任。不应借口集体领导而降低和抹煞书记或第一书记在党委会中的重要作用。
要按照马克思主义的原则，正确认识和处理领袖、政党、阶级和群众的关系。对领导人的宣传要实事求是，禁止无原则的歌功颂德。不许用剥削阶级的阿谀之词称颂无产阶级的领导人，不许歪曲历史和捏造事实来宣扬领导人的功绩。禁止给领导人祝寿、送礼、发致敬函电。对活着的人不许设纪念馆，对已故的领袖们不应多设纪念馆。禁止用党的领导人的名字作街名、地名、企业和学校的名字。除外事活动外，禁止在领导人外出时组织迎送，张贴标语，敲锣打鼓，举行宴会。
维护党的集中统一，严格遵守党的纪律　民主集中制是党的根本组织原则。林彪、“四人帮”搞极左路线和无政府主义，既破坏了民主，又破坏了集中；既破坏了自由，又破坏了纪律。这种无政府主义流毒，至今没有肃清。因此，必须严肃地重申“个人服从组织，少数服从多数，下级服从上级，全党服从中央”的原则。每个党员要把维护党的集中统一，严格遵守党的纪律，作为自己言论和行动的准则。
每个共产党员特别是各级党委的成员，都必须坚决执行党委的决定。如果有不同意见，可以保留，或者向上一级党委提出声明，但在上级或本级党委改变决定以前，除了执行决定会立即引起严重后果的非常紧急的情况之外，必须无条件地执行原来的决定。
必须反对和防止分散主义。全党服从中央，是维护党的集中统一的首要条件，是贯彻执行党的路线、方针、政策的根本保证。任何部门、任何下级组织和党员，对党的决定采取各行其是、各自为政的态度，合意的就执行，不合意的就不执行，公开地或者变相地进行抵制，以至擅自推翻，都是严重违反党纪的行为。
对于关系党和国家的根本利益和全局的重大政治性的理论和政策问题，有不同看法，可以在党内适当的场合进行讨论。但是，在什么时候、用什么方式在报刊上进行讨论，应由中央决定。党的报刊必须无条件地宣传党的路线、方针、政策和政治观点。对于中央已经作出决定的这种有重大政治性的理论和政策问题，党员如有意见，可以经过一定的组织程序提出，但是绝对不允许在报刊、广播的公开宣传中发表同中央的决定相反的言论；也不得在群众中散布与党的路线、方针、政策和决议相反的意见。这是党的纪律。
每个共产党员和党的干部，都必须按照党的利益高于一切的原则来处理个人问题，自觉地服从党组织对自己工作的分配、调动和安排。如果认为对自己的工作分配不适当，可以提出意见，但经过党组织考虑作出最后决定时，必须服从。
每个党员都必须严守党和国家的机密，并同泄漏党和国家机密的现象作坚决的斗争。一切党员看文件，听传达，参加党的会议，都要严格遵守保密纪律，严禁把党的秘密泄漏给家属、亲友和其他不应该知道这种秘密的人。必须注意内外有别，凡属党内不许对外公开的事情，不准向党外传布。
共产党员特别是各级领导干部必须成为遵守国家法律，遵守劳动纪律、工作纪律，遵守共产主义道德的模范。
共产党员无论何时何事，必须顾全党的、国家的和人民的大局，并且用这种顾全大局的精神教育群众。这是共产党员革命觉悟的重要表现，也是巩固全国安定团结的重要保证。少数人闹事，党员必须按照党的政策向他们进行宣传解释，慎重处理，使事态平息；对他们提出的某些合理要求，要说服和帮助他们通过正常的途径解决。共产党员在任何情况下，都不得怂恿、支持和参加闹事。
坚持党性，根绝派性　党是无产阶级的先进分子所组成的统一的战斗的集体，必须坚持党在马列主义、毛泽东思想原则基础上的团结，反对破坏党的团结统一的任何形式的派性和派别活动。
在党内组织秘密集团是分裂党和颠覆党的犯罪行为。共产党员绝对不允许参加反对党的秘密组织和秘密活动。各级党的组织和每个共产党员，都要从林彪、“四人帮”煽动派性，组织秘密集团，阴谋篡党夺权的反革命事件中吸取教训，提高警惕，坚决防止这类事件的重演。
派性同无产阶级的党性是根本不相容的。搞小派别，结帮营私，是剥削阶级极端个人主义和无政府主义的表现，是封建阶级和小生产者的行帮思想在党内的反映。
一部分党员如果背着党有组织地进行与党的路线、决议相背离的活动，就是派性活动。进行派性活动，必然会阻碍党的路线、方针、政策的贯彻执行，破坏安定团结的政治局面，如果不加以坚决制止而任其发展，就会导致党的分裂。
目前党内虽然已经不存在公开的派别集团，但有些受林彪、“四人帮”影响较深的干部和党员仍然有派性，甚至仍在进行派性活动；在一些地区、部门和单位，”明无山头暗有礁”，派性的”幽灵”不散，派性分子经常抵制党的方针政策和上级决议的执行。
各级党组织和每个共产党员一定要坚持党性，为根绝派性进行不懈的斗争。对于坚持派性屡教不改的人，一定要给予严肃的纪律处分。不应该让这样的人进领导班子，已在领导岗位上的一定要撤下来。
党的干部特别是领导干部，在处理党内关系方面要实行”五湖四海”的原则，这就是说，要团结一切忠实于党的利益的同志，团结大多数。共产党员一定要有共产主义者的伟大胸襟，严以律己，宽以待人。在处理同志的关系上，只问他是否坚决执行党的路线，遵守党的纪律，不应因为私怨而耿耿于怀，排挤打击，不应由于亲疏而有不同的对待。绝对禁止搞宗派活动，搞小圈子；不允许拉拢一部分人，排斥一部分人；抬一部分人，压一部分人。不要纠缠历史旧帐。
在党和群众的关系上，同样要防止和反对宗派主义倾向。共产党员在人民群众中是少数，必须把亿万群众团结在党的周围，同心同德地为实现四化而奋斗。共产党员必须在群众中起模范作用，吃苦在前，享受在后，满腔热情地团结非党同志一道工作。
在干部工作中要坚持正派的公道的作风，坚持任人唯贤，反对任人唯亲。严禁以派性划线，严禁利用职权在党内拉私人关系，培植私人势力。共产党员应该忠于党的组织和党的原则，不应该效忠于某个人。任何人不得把党的干部当做私有财产，不得把上下级关系变成人身依附关系。
要讲真话，言行一致　忠于党和人民的事业，说老实话，做老实事，当老实人，光明磊落，表里如一，是共产党人应有的品质。全党同志一定要努力肃清林彪、“四人帮”横行时期造成的假话盛行的歪风邪气，恢复和发扬党一贯倡导的讲真话，不讲假话，言行一致的优良作风。
共产党员要忠诚坦白，对党组织不隐瞒自己的错误和自己的思想、观点。对人对事要开诚布公，有什么意见，有什么批评，摆在桌面上。不要会上不说，会下乱说；不要当面一套，背后一套；不要口是心非，阳奉阴违。
要坚决反对拉拉扯扯，吹吹拍拍，看领导眼色说话办事，拿原则做交易，投机钻营，向党伸手要名誉地位的官僚政客作风和市侩行为。
共产党员无论何时何地、对人对己都要尊重事实，按照事物的本来面貌如实地向党反映情况。不可看领导需要什么就提供什么，报喜不报忧，更不许可弄虚作假，骗取信任、荣誉和奖励。不准以任何理由和任何名义纵容、暗示、诱使、命令或强迫下级说假话。
凡是弄虚作假给党和人民的利益造成重大损失的；凡是说假话骗取了荣誉地位的；凡是用说假话来掩饰严重过失或达到其他个人目的的；凡是纵容或诱迫下级说假话的，都必须绳以党纪。对于那些不怕打击报复，敢于为保卫党和人民的利益说真话的人，应该给以表扬。
各级党的领导机关和领导干部要做实事求是的模范。在工作中，各种不同意见都要听，成绩、缺点都要了解。要鼓励下级同志讲心里话，反映真实情况。要努力造成和保持让人当面提意见包括尖锐意见而进行从容讨论的气氛。发扬党内民主，正确对待不同意见　发扬党内民主，首先要允许党员发表不同的意见，对问题进行充分的讨论，真正做到知无不言，言无不尽。只要不反对党的基本政治立场，不搞阴谋诡计，不在群众中进行派性分裂活动，不在群众中散布违反党的路线、方针、政策的言论，不泄漏党和国家的秘密，由于认识错误而讲错了话或者写了有错误的文章，不得认为是违反了党纪而给予处分。要严格实行不抓辫子、不扣帽子、不打棍子的“三不主义”。所谓不抓辫子、不扣帽子、不打棍子，就是禁止任意夸大一个人的错误，罗织成为罪状，并给予政治上、组织上的打击甚至迫害。
要纠正一部分领导干部中缺乏民主精神，听不得批评意见，甚至压制批评的家长作风。对于任何党员提出的批评和意见，只要是正确的，都应该采纳和接受。如果确有错误，只能实事求是地指出来，不允许追查所谓动机和背景。
必须注意区别：反对某个同志的某个意见，不等于反对这个同志，反对某个领导机关的某个同志，不等于反对这个组织，不等于反领导，更不等于反党。
领导干部利用职权对同志挟嫌报复、打击陷害，用“穿小鞋”、“装材料”的办法和任意加上“反党”、“反领导”、“恶毒攻击”、“犯路线错误”等罪名整人，是违反党内民主制度和违反革命道德品质的行为。对敢于坚持真理的同志妄加反革命的罪名，乱用专政手段，进行残酷迫害，这是严重违法的罪行，必须受到党纪国法的严惩。
党内在思想上理论上有不同认识、有争论是正常的。对待思想上理论上的是非，只能采取摆事实、讲道理、民主讨论的办法求得解决，决不能采取压服的办法。有些思想理论是非一时解决不了的，除了具有重大政治性的和迫切现实性的问题以外，不要匆忙作结论，留待以后进一步研究和经过实践来解决。
把思想认识问题任意扣上“砍旗”、“毒草”、“资产阶级”、“修正主义”种种政治帽子，任意说成是敌我性质的政治问题，不仅破坏党内正常的政治生活，造成思想僵化，而且易于被反党野心家所利用，破坏社会主义国家的民主秩序。这种做法必须制止。保障党员的权利不受侵犯　各级党组织必须切实保障党员的各项权利。侵犯党员权利的行为，是严重违反党纪的。
党员有权在党的会议上和党的报刊上参加关于党的政策的制定和实施问题的讨论，有权在党的会议上对党的任何组织和个人提出批评。党员对党的方针、政策、决议有不同意见，可以在党的会议上提出，也可以向各级党组织直至中央作口头或书面的报告。党组织应当欢迎党员群众的批评和建议，并且鼓励党员为了推进社会主义事业提出创造性的见解和主张。
对于犯了严重错误拒不改正或不称职的干部，党员有权建议罢免或调换。
党员对党组织关于他本人或其他人的处理，有权在党的会议上、或向上级组织直至中央提出声明、申诉、控告和辩护。党组织对党员的声明、申诉、控告和辩护必须及时处理或转递，不得扣压，承办单位不得推诿。申诉和控告信不许转给被控告人处理。不许对申诉人或控告人进行打击报复。控告人和被控告人都不允许诬陷他人，对诬陷他人者，要按党纪国法严肃处理。
党组织对党员的鉴定、结论和处分决定，必须同本人见面。在通过处分决定的时候，如无特殊情况，应通知本人出席会议。党组织要认真听取和考虑本人的意见。如本人有不同的意见，应将组织决定和本人意见一并报上级党组织审定。
选举要充分体现选举人的意志　党内真正实行民主选举，才有可能建立起在党员和群众中有威信的强有力的领导班子。
各级党组织应按照党章规定，定期召开党员大会和代表大会。党的各级委员会要按期改选。每届代表和委员，应有一定数量的更新。选举要充分发扬民主，真正体现选举人的意志，候选人名单要由党员或代表通过充分酝酿讨论提出。选举应实行候选人多于应选人的差额选举办法，或者先采用差额选举办法产生候选人作为预选，然后进行正式选举。党员数量少的单位，可不实行差额选举或实行预选。候选人的基本情况要向选举人介绍清楚。选举一律用无记名投票。
选举人要注意把那些坚决拥护和执行党的政治路线和思想路线，大公无私，严守法纪，坚持党性，有强烈的革命事业心和政治责任心，有一定的专业知识和专业能力的干部选进领导班子。还要特别注意选举符合上述条件的中青年干部。不得规定必须选举符合上述条件的中青年干部。
不得规定必须选举或不选举某个人。个别有特殊情况的人，需要由组织上推荐选入的，也必须确实取得多数选举人的同意。要坚决反对和防止侵犯党员选举权利，使选举流于形式，妨碍选举人体现自己意志的现象。
在各级党的代表大会闭会期间，上级党委可以根据工作需要，任免、调动下级党委的负责人。
凡是需要整顿，暂不具备民主选举条件的单位，经上级党组织批准，可暂缓举行选举，其领导人由上级指派。同错误倾向和坏人坏事作斗争　为了端正党风，巩固无产阶级专政，树立良好的社会风尚，团结全体人民同心同德搞好四化，必须同错误倾向和坏人坏事作斗争。
各级党组织要充分发挥战斗堡垒作用，率领党员和群众，坚决揭露和打击反革命分子、贪污盗窃分子、刑事犯罪分子和严重违法乱纪分子。
对于派性、无政府主义、极端个人主义和官僚主义、特殊化等错误倾向，要进行严肃的批评和斗争。
对社会上的歪风邪气、错误的和反动的思潮，必须进行批判和斗争。
对于错误倾向和坏人坏事，采取明哲保身的自由主义态度，不制止，不争辩、不斗争，躲闪回避，就是放弃了共产党员的战斗责任，就是缺乏党性的表现。
共产党员特别是各级领导干部在同错误倾向和坏人坏事作斗争中，要有大无畏的革命精神，敢于挺身而出，不怕得罪人，不怕撕破脸皮，不怕受到打击迫害。只有这样，才能使错误倾向得到克服和纠正，使犯错误的人得到挽救，使坏人受到应有的制裁。
正确对待犯错误的同志　在党内斗争中，对犯错误的同志，采取“惩前毖后，治病救人”、“团结—批评—团结”的方针，达到既弄清思想、又团结同志的目的，是我们党的优良传统。对于一切犯错误的同志，要历史地全面地评价他们的功过是非，不要一犯错误就全盘否定；也不要纠缠历史上发生过而已经查清的问题和历史上犯过而已经纠正了的错误。要在弄清事实的基础上，具体分析他们所犯错误的性质和程度，以热情的同志式的态度，帮助他们认识犯错误的原因，指出改正的办法，启发他们做必要的检查。要相信犯错误的同志大多数是可以改正的，要给他们改正错误、继续为党工作的条件。
在分析一个同志所犯错误的时候，首先必须严格分清两类不同性质的矛盾。不可把工作中的一般错误或思想认识上的错误说成是政治错误，不可把一般的政治错误说成是路线错误，也不可把犯了路线错误、但仍属于党内斗争性质的问题，同属于企图颠覆党、颠覆社会主义国家的反革命性质的问题混淆起来。企图颠覆党、颠覆社会主义国家的阴谋家、野心家、反革命两面派，同党和人民的矛盾属于敌我矛盾。这种人是极少数。要把跟着上级或主要领导人犯了路线错误的人，同参与篡党夺权阴谋活动的人加以区别。
党内斗争，不许实行残酷斗争、无情打击。对犯错误的同志进行批评是完全必要的，但是不可采取一哄而起的围攻、不让本人辩解、也不让其他同志发表不同意见的“斗争会”方式，因为这种方式实际上是以势压人，而不是以理服人。党内不准用超越党的纪律或违犯国家法律的手段对待党员。要绝对禁止采用林彪、“四人帮”的封建法西斯手段解决党内问题。严禁所谓揪斗，严禁人身侮辱和人身迫害，严禁诱供逼供。
对人的处理应十分慎重。敌我矛盾和人民内部矛盾一时分不清的，先按人民内部矛盾处理。凡涉及定敌我矛盾、开除党籍、提交司法机关处理的，更要慎重。任何情况下都不允许株连无辜的家属和亲友。
建国以来的冤案、假案、错案，不管是哪一级组织、哪一个领导人定的和批的，都要实事求是地纠正过来，一切不实之词必须推倒。
犯了错误的同志，应该诚恳地接受党组织和同志们的批评教育和纪律处分。要吸取教训，认真改正，更好地为党工作。对于确实犯有严重错误、拒不承认而又坚持无理取闹的人，要加重处分。
接受党和群众的监督，不准搞特权　各级领导干部都是人民的公仆，只有勤勤恳恳为人民服务的义务，没有在政治上、生活上搞特殊化的权利。按照工作需要，对领导人提供某些合理的便利条件并保证他们的安全是必要的，但绝不允许违反制度搞特殊化。
在我们的国家中，人们只有分工的不同，没有尊卑贵贱的分别。谁也不是低人一等的奴隶或高人一等的贵族。那种认为自己的权力可以不受任何限制的思想，就是腐朽的封建特权思想，这种思想必须受到批判和纠正。共产党员和干部应该把谋求特权和私利看成是极大的耻辱。
必须坚持在真理面前人人平等，在党纪国法面前人人平等的原则。党内决不容许有不受党纪国法约束或凌驾于党组织之上的特殊党员。决不允许共产党员利用职权谋取私利。
任何领导干部都不允许超越党组织所赋予自己的权限，侵犯集体的权限和别人的权限。所有的党员都是平等的同志和战友，党的领导干部要以平等的态度待人，不能以为自己讲的话不管正确与否，别人都得服从，更不能摆官架子，动辄训人、骂人。由于上级领导人员的缺点和错误，使下级的工作出了问题，上级要主动给下级承担责任，首先作自我批评。
各级领导干部必须保持和发扬我党艰苦奋斗，与群众同甘共苦的光荣传统。要坚决克服一部分领导干部中为自己和家属谋求特殊待遇的恶劣倾向。禁止领导人违反财经纪律，任意批钱批物。禁止利用职权为家属亲友在升学、转学、晋级、就业、出国等方面谋求特殊照顾。禁止违反规定动用公款请客送礼。禁止违反规定动用公款为领导人修建个人住宅。禁止公私不分，假公济私，用各种借口或巧立名目侵占、挥霍国家和集体的财物。
党的各级领导人员必须自觉地严格遵守关于生活待遇的规定，同时加强对子女的教育。如果违反了有关规定，经过批评教育仍不改正的，必须给予党的纪律处分。
任何领导干部，不得违反党的干部标准和组织原则，将自己的亲属提拔到领导岗位上来；不得让他们超越职权干预党和国家的工作；不应把他们安排在身边的要害岗位上。
为了保持党和广大人民群众的密切联系，防止党的领导干部和党员由人民的公仆变成骑在人民头上的老爷，必须采取自下而上和自上而下相结合、党内和党外相结合的方法，加强党组织和群众对党的领导干部和党员的监督。要监督他们是不是认真学习和贯彻执行党的路线、方针、政策，是不是遵守党纪国法，是不是坚持党的优良传统和作风，是不是搞特权，是不是在生产、工作、学习和对敌斗争中起模范作用，是不是密切联系群众和为人民谋利益。要表扬那些觉悟高、党性强、表现好的同志，批评教育表现差的同志。
要在充分走群众路线的基础上，建立和完善对干部的考试、考核、奖惩，轮换、退体、罢免等一整套制度。通过实行这些制度，真正做到功过分明，赏罚分明，鼓励先进，激励后进。
各级领导干部要定期听取所在单位的党员和群众的意见和评论。各级党组织要重视群众来信来访中对领导干部、党员的批评和意见。党组织要将党员和群众的评论、批评和意见经核实后报送上级党委，作为考核干部的一个重要依据。
每个党员不论职务高低，都必须编入党的一个组织，参加组织生活。各级党委或常委都应定期召开民主生活会，交流思想，开展批评和自我批评。
努力学习，做到又红又专　四个现代化建设的艰巨任务，需要培养和造就一支宏大的坚持社会主义道路的具有专业知识的干部队伍，同时要把适合于这个要求的中年和青年干部（包括党员和非党员）大胆地提拔到领导岗位上来，让他们在工作中发挥长处，弥补短处。这是摆在全党面前一项迫切、重大的政治任务。
共产党员必须成为实现四个现代化的先锋战士，努力做到又红又专。“红”就是具有坚定正确的政治方向，坚持四项基本原则；“专”就是学习和掌握现代化建设的专业知识，成为本职工作的内行和能手。专不等于红，但红必须专。一个共产党员不认真学习专业知识，在本职工作上长期当外行，不能对四化建设做出真正的贡献，他的所谓政治觉悟和先进性就是空谈。
为了改善和加强党对现代化建设的领导，必须大大提高全体党员的文化、科学技术和业务水平。每个共产党员特别是各级领导干部，一定要以高度的革命进取精神，顽强刻苦地学习和掌握专业知识，必须成为本职工作的内行。干那一行就必须精通那一行。满足于一般化的领导，甚至长期安于当外行，不学无术，违反客观规律，搞瞎指挥，必然会给现代化建设带来严重损害。这样的人，经过批评教育，仍然不能改正的，要从领导岗位上撤换下来。
每个共产党员都必须以无产阶级先锋战士的标准，严格要求自己，努力学习和领会马列主义、毛泽东思想，不断提高觉悟程度和进行现代化建设的本领，以求对四化建设做出更大的贡献。某些党员和领导干部，革命意志衰退，不努力学习，不积极工作，不能在生产、工作、学习以及对敌斗争中起先锋模范作用，他们的行为不符合共产党员的光荣称号，损害了党在群众中的威信。对于这样的同志，必须进行严肃的教育和批评。经过长期教育不能改正的，不具备或者丧失了共产党员条件的人，应该劝其退党。
《关于党内政治生活的若干准则》是党的重要法规，全体党员要认真学习，自觉遵守，要对照“准则”的规定，认真检查自己的工作和作风。党的各级领导机关和领导干部要带头执行。任何党员如果有违反本准则的行为，要进行批评教育，情节严重的必须按照党的纪律给予处分，直至开除党籍。
各级党委和党的纪律检查委员会要定期检查本准则的执行情况，由纪律检查委员会向党的代表大会或党的委员会提出报告。
全党同志一定要振奋革命精神，彻底肃清林彪、“四人帮”的流毒，排除各种干扰和阻力，把维护党规党法，切实搞好党风这件关系到四个现代化的成败，关系到党和国家前途和命运的大事做好，使我们党成为更加团结一致，更加朝气蓬勃，更加具有战斗力的无产阶级先锋队组织。
党的政治路线的正式表述，以党的第十二次全国代表大会将要通过的党章总纲为准。