The Development of Marxism in a New Global Order: A Comparative Study of Chinese and Western Theories and the Practical Pathways of the “Community with a Shared Future for Mankind”

Abstract

Against the backdrop of accelerating global multipolarity and the structural failure of traditional governance models, Marxism has regained significant theoretical attention and practical relevance as a critical system of thought. Taking the divergence between Chinese and Western Marxist traditions as a point of departure, this article systematically analyzes the fundamental distinction between the “practical rationality” orientation of Chinese Marxism and the “subjectivity critique” tradition of Western Marxism. It further reveals their complementarity in terms of historical context, methodological approach, and political value orientation. The paper focuses on the concept of a “Community with a Shared Future for Mankind,” arguing that it represents a Chinese Marxist response to global crises through institutional innovation and ideological advancement. This concept demonstrates theoretical potential to transcend the capitalist hegemonic order and contribute to a fairer and more rational global governance framework. Finally, the paper explores how China, under the transformation of global intellectual structures, is reconstructing Marxist discourse through theoretical innovation, institutional contributions, and discursive strategies, thereby providing Chinese perspectives and practices for building a “World Marxism” community.