The opposition between the two is manifested in:

First of all, they are at different stages of development in the process of ideological and political education.

Second, they have different functions. Internalization is to transform external social consciousness and thought into individual ideology, while externalization is to transform individual ideological motivation into external behavior. In short, internalization is input and externalization is output.

Third, the results of internalization and externalization are different. The result of internalization is to make people form new ideas, and the result of externalization is to make people produce new behaviors.

Fourthly, internalization and externalization are used in different ways. Internalization is mainly accomplished by means of education, and in the process of internalization, the educational subject (educator) is in a dominant position; Externalization is mainly through self-education. In the process of externalization, the object of education (the educated) is in an active position.

The unification of the two is as follows:

First, the basis of internalization and externalization is the same. Both of them are based on the practice of ideological and political education. Without the practice of ideological and political education, there will be no internalization and no externalization.

Second, internalization and externalization have the same purpose. The destination of internalization and externalization is to produce good social effects through good behavior.

Thirdly, internalization and externalization are interdependent and interpenetrating. Internalization is the premise and foundation of externalization. Without internalization, there is no externalization. Externalization is the purpose and destination of internalization. Without externalization, internalization loses its practical significance.