On the Points at Issue of the Essence of Socialism

The Points at issue of the essence of socialism is crucial in Deng Xiaoping's Theory. His thoughts concerning the essence of socialism has undergone a period of gradual formation and perfection. This generalization puts productive force at the most important position as the essence of socialism, and has opened a wide road for socialist reform. However, there exist two arguments of the points at issue of the theory concerning the essence of socialism. Through analyzing the dialectical unity between the essence and characteristics of socialism, it is held that the idea of common prosperity occupies the dominant position of the essence of socialism, the final target to establish the value of socialism.