Scientific Outlook on Development

The Scientific Outlook on Development, sometimes translated to either the scientific development concept, or as the scientific development perspective, is one of the guiding socio-economic principles of the Communist Party of China (CPC).

It incorporates scientific socialism, sustainable development, social welfare, a humanistic society, increased democracy, and, ultimately, the creation of a Socialist Harmonious Society. According to the official statements of the CPC, the concept integrates "Marxism with the reality of contemporary China and with the underlying features of our times, and it fully embodies the Marxist worldview on and methodology for development."

Credit for the theory is given to former Chinese leader Hu Jintao and his administration, who was in power from 2002 to 2012. The ideology was ratified into the Communist Party of China's Constitution at the 17th Party Congress in October 2007. It is lauded by the Chinese government as a successor and extension ideology to Marxism-Leninism, Mao Zedong Thought, Deng Xiaoping Theory, and the Three Represents.

Ideology: The Scientific Outlook on Development reflected a departure from Jiang Zemin's Three Represents in that it laid emphasis on correcting the unbalanced growth that had been much favorable to wealthier, coastal provinces, neglecting the Chinese inland. It also put more emphasis on the masses rather than the elites, according to David Shambaugh.

Humanism is at the center of the scientific development concept. The people-oriented concept is "to take the interests of the people as the starting point and end point of all work, to continuously meet people's multifaceted needs and promote the overall development of people." It involves four specific aspects:

• On the basis of economic development, continuously improve the people's material and cultural living standards and health standards;
• Respect and protect human rights, including the political, economic, and cultural rights of citizens;
• Continuously improve people's ideological and moral quality, scientific, and cultural quality, and health quality;
• Create a social environment where people develop equally and give full play to their intelligence.

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