Ma Qingfu Han Ming 'an

A nation is a stable nation with the same language, the same region, the same economic life and the same cultural and psychological quality. It belongs to the category of social history and is one of the important topics in ethnology and ethnic theory research.

Ethnologists, anthropologists, historians and sociologists before Marxism all attached great importance to the study of ethnic theory; Classical Marxist writers regard ethnic theory as an important part of materialist sociology. They have long clearly seen the importance of ethnic theory research.

Anthropologists and ethnologists before Marxism studied the national theory in order to understand the characteristics of the nation and guide its development. Or in order to understand the differences between ethnic groups, strengthen the rule of their own and foreign ethnic groups; Others are to understand the historical laws of national development and help rulers carry out national aggression; Only a few progressive scholars try to find out the relationship between national politics, economy and culture in order to promote the development and exchange of national culture. In these studies of ethnic theories with completely different positions and purposes, most people's views are very narrow, showing an obvious tendency to serve the feudal class and bourgeois rule. This tendency is an inevitable phenomenon in the study of class society theory. Engels pointed out: "The economic production and inevitable social structure of each historical era are the historical basis of politics and spirit of that era." Since the disintegration of the original public ownership of land, "all history is the history of class struggle" ("Proclamation of the Productive Party" 1883 preface in German). The study of ethnic theory belongs to the "spirit" category of a certain historical era, and it is not surprising that it was influenced by class struggle in that era.

Different from the research of feudal and bourgeois scholars, the research of Marxist classical writers' national theory is not based on narrow class or national purposes, but on the great goal of finally realizing the complete liberation of all mankind on earth. It is the concrete embodiment of Marxist sociology and history in the study of ethnic theory. Marxist anthropologists and ethnologists have fully seen the importance of ethnic theory research. These importance are usually manifested in:

First of all, the study of ethnic theory can help people understand the specific situation and characteristics of a certain ethnic group, thus helping and promoting its development. As a "people's identity" with certain characteristics in history, the national situation and characteristics are very complicated. Learning ethnic theory from Marxist standpoint, viewpoint and method will help people to understand the political, economic, cultural and psychological qualities and unique customs of a nation, help people of all ethnic groups to overcome the shortcomings in their own national development, carry forward their unique advantages and promote the faster progress of the whole nation. Producers in China attach great importance to the study of ethnic theory. No matter in the stage of democratic revolution or socialist construction, no matter when dealing with general state affairs or ethnic affairs, we should pay full attention to ethnic characteristics and give full consideration to ethnic customs and psychological quality. The Communist Party of China (CPC) people's policies and measures in dealing with ethnic affairs are guided by Marxist ethnic theory, aiming at helping and promoting the development of national history.

Secondly, the study of ethnic theory is the basis of the study of ethnic history. Every nation has its own history of development. Studying the history of national development has been and is being paid attention to by more and more experts, scholars and people from all walks of life.