Implementation of the Humanistic Economy Concept in Modern China

China’s modern development model is based on the theory of socialism with Chinese characteristics and the concept of humanistic economics, which posits that economic development is parallel to cultural development, with individual at the center of transformation. This concept interprets Marxism ideas. As socialism with Chinese characteristics has developed, certain contradictions have become apparent between the population’s ever-growing demand for a better life and unbalanced economic development. China’s innovative, high-quality development strategy in the 15^th Five-Year Plan period aims to correct this imbalance. This strategic vector focuses on poverty alleviation, rural revitalization, the development of new urbanization focused on county-level cities, and East-West cooperation. China’s new development paradigm pursues not only sustainable growth and increased material wealth but also an improved quality of life, including comprehensive personal development. As economic prosperity increases, the population increasingly seeks spiritual and cultural development. Currently, provincial development disparities persist, with significant economic and cultural gaps between cities and rural areas. Regional policy places particular emphasis on reducing these disparities in territorial development. Since the early 2000s, state policy has been aimed at ensuring high-quality infrastructure development in all provinces of the country and increasing the competitiveness of less developed regions. The modern development of socialism with Chinese characteristics is primarily driven by cultural reform and transformation. China’s regional and municipal policies are based on the development of national culture and local specialization. This article aims to examine the foundations, mechanisms, and regional and local practices of implementing the concept of a humanistic economy in contemporary China during the era of modernization and innovation.

1. Aslanov D.I. (2011) Humanist Paradigm of Market Economy. Kreativnaya ekonomika. No. 10(58). P. 50–55.

2. Belousov V.M. (2012) Economic Ideology: Evolution, Structure, Functions, Intersubjects Aspects. Gumanitariy Yuga Rossii. No. 2. P. 81–96.

3. Chubarov I.G. (2025) Ideologicheskiye osnovy sovremennoy regional’noy politiki KNR [The ideological foundations of China’s modern regional policy]. In: Babayev K.V. (ed.) Sovremennaya ideologiya KNR. Idei Si Tszin’pina kak osnova politiki Kitaya. Moscow: IKSA RAN. P. 212–238.

4. Fromm E. (1968) Socialist Humanism. An International Symposium. New York: Anchor Books.

5. Tikhonov G.M. (2022) Humanistic Socialism of Erich Fromm: Philosophical Notes. Vestnik Udmurtskogo universiteta. Seriya “Filosofiya. Psikhologiya. Pedagogika”. Vol. 32. No. 1. P. 16–20. DOI: 10.35634/2412-9550-2022-32-1-16-20

6. Volkov Yu.G., Malitskiy V.S. (2004) Ideologiya i gumanizm [Ideology and humanism]. Moscow: ANO RZh “Sotsial’nogumanitarnyye znaniya”.

7. 任平 (2024) 深化理解和把握人文经济学的方法论自觉 . 人民论坛·学术前沿, (4), 21–30 [Ren Ping (2024) Deepen understanding and grasp the methodology of humanities and economics. People’s Forum Academic Frontiers. No. 4. P. 21–30].

8. 新华社新时代人文经济学课题组 (2024) 新时代人文经济学发展范式研究. 苏州大学学报（哲学社会科学 版）, (1), 11–19 [Xinhua News Agency New Era Humanities and Economics Research Group (2024) Research on the Development Paradigm of Humanities and Economics in the New Era. Journal of Soochow University (Philosophy and Social Sciences Edition). No. 1. P. 11–19].

9. 胡钰 (2024) 人文经济学的实践基础、基本假设与核心理念. 苏州大学学报（哲学社会科学版）, (2), 1–8 [Hu Yu (2024) Practical foundations, basic assumptions and core concepts of humanities and economics. Journal of Soochow University (Philosophy and Social Sciences Edition). No. 2. P. 1–8].

10. 马克思恩格斯全集 (1957) 第2卷. 北京: 人民出版社 [The Complete Works of Marx and Engels (1957) Volume 2. Beijing: People’s Publishing House].

11. 魏鹏举 (2023) 中国发展的文化自觉：人文经济学之引入. 山东大学学报（哲学社会科学版）, (5), 21–30 [Wei Pengju (2023) Cultural consciousness in China’s development: The introduction of humanities and economics. Journal of Shandong University (Philosophy and Social Sciences Edition). No. 5. P. 21–30].