Charles Dickens wrote his novel ‘Great Expectations’ in 1860s & Karl Marx foresaw a socialist development course known as ‘Marxism’ in the same period. Marxism seems more realistic in the current global setting than never before. In the 19^th century many countries including Sri Lanka absorbed western knowledge including ‘Marxism’ creating new trends including the Lanka Sama Samaja Party lead by Dr. NM Perera. NM rarely relied on religious practices but wished a sermon by Ven. Balangoda Ananda Maithree at his funeral.  The monk saw NM as a good Buddhist who made offerings to the Buddha all his life by being a social worker. However, in Sri Lanka Marxism has so far generated mixed perceptions. Some assumed it unrealistic while others saw it destructive & violent. Religious distancing, essential delivery failures (1970 – 77), brutality in 1971 & 1987, trade unions pushing grass roots to walls, terrorizing investors & the local universities etc. may be the causes. However, as the Buddha preached, all things change always. The youth therefore, bear a big role to bring the best for the country using the cultural base & the socialist changes they initiated. They may learn from similar case studies.

The global image.

Marking 75^th anniversary of Socialist China, Chinese media with Renmin University & New Era Institute conducted a survey outside China to analyze China’s image targeting 16,400 respondents from 41 countries. (covering North America, Europe, Africa, Oceania, Southeast Asia, East Asia, South Asia & the Middle East including individuals from USA, UK, France, Japan, Brazil, Kenya, Mexico & Indonesia etc.).

• Nearly 73% aged 18 to 34 viewed China's socialist political system as very successful.
• 89.5% aged 18 to 24 believed that Socialist government has improved education.
• 87.2% aged 25 to 34 think the Socialist Chinese government has enhanced infrastructure construction.
• 82.1% aged 18 to 24 feel that Socialism has increased public income levels.
• 82.5% aged 18 to 24 approved their countries working on international projects with China.
• 72.4% (aged 18 to 24) & 71.6% (aged 25 to 34) believe that China's path of peaceful development is significant for maintaining global peace, stability & international order (Ref. Renmin).

Sri Lankan experience

Influenced by Buddhism which discusses the economic aspect of life such as poverty causing suffering & hunger being the most severe of all illnesses, Sri Lankans may have experienced Marxism before Karl. Karl Marx believed in human equality & Buddha believed in a classless society seeing social classes & castes as a functional approach (Ref. Anguttara Nikaya). However, post colonial Sri Lankan socialists who picked basics of Marxism from West & Russia may have missed these parallel lines. If not they could have used the historic base to promote socialism more effectively as in China. Those interested may expand horizons learning from Marxism institutes (more than 1400) in China which teaches basic principles of Marxism & how they integrate into Chinese traditions & culture.

Light of President Xi Jinping.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s recently urged his people on the value of studying & developing Marxist theory in the new era. He called for greater efforts to;

1. Adapt Marxism to the Chinese context & the needs of the times.
2. Increase theoretical research & public communication to help the public better understand the Communist Party's innovative theories.
3. Integrate the basic tenets of Marxism with China's specific realities & fine traditional culture.
4. Accelerate the development of an independent knowledge system for Chinese philosophy & social sciences, & cultivate a pool of high-caliber theoretical talent (Ref. Chinese media).

Since Chinese & Sri Lankan cultures have many similarities, following President Xi’s light may be a wise move not only for the youth but even for the leaders if they wish to develop the country as expected. Global trends may prove that the demand for socialism is not only in Sri Lanka. The Belt & Road Initiative (BRI) is a good opportunity to go global.

(Views expressed are personal). (Graph source: Chinese Media)