The role and solutions for enhancing revolutionary ethics training for cadres managed by the Provincial Party Standing Committee in Laos

SOMVANG PHONKHAMVONGSA
PhD student at Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics

The training of revolutionary ethics for cadres managed by Provincial Party Standing Committee (PPSC) in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (LPDR) encompasses all purposeful and proactive activities of the Provincial Party Committee, PPSC at all levels in the province to supplement and foster ethical qualities, lifestyle, working style, working attitude, and self-training spirit for this contingent of cadres according to the principles, requirements of revolutionary ethical standards and norms of cadres managed by the PPSC.

The entities responsible for the training of revolutionary ethics for cadres managed by the PPSC is the Provincial Party Committee, the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee, the Party Committees at all levels directly managing the cadres, and the heads of Party Committees, agencies, localities at the provincial, district and equivalent levels.

The subjects of the training are incumbent cadres and cadres planned for management under the management of PPSC. According to Resolution No. 31/BCT dated January 3, 2018 of the Politburo of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party on the management of cadres, the positions of cadres managed by PPSC include: Provincial party committee (PPC) members, PPSC members,; Heads and Deputy Heads of the Party boards of the PPSC and PPC Office; Chiefs of Office, Deputy Chiefs of Office of the Provincial People’s Council; Board Head and Deputy Heads of the Provincial People’s Council; Provincial People’s Council delegates; directors, deputy directors of the departments or equivalent; leaders of provincial-level specialized agencies vertically in sector; Commander and Deputy Commanders of the Provincial Military Command; Director and Deputy Directors of Provincial Police; Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Lao Front for National Construction of the province; Chairman, Vice Chairman or Secretary, Deputy Secretary of the provincial socio-political organization; secretary, deputy secretary, member of the standing committee, member of the district party committee; district chief, deputy district chief; Chairman of the Lao Front for National Construction of the district; Chairman or secretary of district socio-political organization; member of the grassroots party executive committee under PPC; Deputy secretaries of party cells of departments, branches and state-owned enterprises under the PPC; Directors and deputy directors of companies and enterprises under the province; Retired Central management cadres in the province; Retired Provincial-level cadres; staff and cadres with doctoral degrees.

1. The role of training revolutionary ethics for cadres managed by PPSC

Training of revolutionary ethics for cadres under the management of PPSC in Laos today plays an important role in many aspects, shown in the following points:

Firstly, training revolutionary ethics for cadres managed by the PPSC contributes to improving ethical qualities - an important factor that determines the personality of cadres under the management status of the PPSC

Ho Chi Minh affirmed that to build socialism, we must build socialist people, and “training cadres is the fundamental work of the Party”(1). Therefore, in addition to improving the level of political theory and expertise, mastering advanced scientific knowledge, practical understanding, and leadership capacity, cadres managed by PPSC must be built in ethical qualities to have both talent and virtue, in which virtue is the root. Ethical qualities ensure that cadres act and develop their abilities to serve the common cause, serve the people, and meet the requirements of the very new and complex task of building socialism in Laos today.

Secondly, training of revolutionary ethics for cadres under the management of the PPSC contributes to ensuring that these cadres successfully fulfill their assigned responsibilities and tasks in each working position

Cadres managed by PPSC are people with significant roles and responsibilities in the province, people assigned by the Party and the State to hold important positions in the party apparatus, government, the Front, socio-political organizations, and state-owned enterprises in the province. They are responsible for leading and organizing the implementation of the Party’s guidelines and policies and the State’s laws in the locality; They participate in building and leading the implementation of local political, socio-economic, security and defense tasks.

The training of revolutionary ethics for the cadres managed by PPSC helps them clearly define their responsibilities, be dedicated and creative, overcome all difficulties in their work, uniting with other cadres, party members and the people to carry out the political tasks of their agencies, units and localities in a creative, high-quality and effective way.

Currently, provinces in Laos are striving to promote industrialization, modernization, and comprehensive renovation in all areas of social life, successfully implementing the Resolution of the 11th Congress of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party. Alongside opportunities and advantages, provinces in LPDR face many challenges and difficulties. If the cadres managed by PPSC does not have revolutionary ethics, they will not be able to make a worthy contribution to this process.

Thirdly, the training of revolutionary ethics for cadres directly managed by PPSC prevents and repels the deterioration of ethics and lifestyle that is becoming complicated among the current cadres and party members

The current economic renovation process in Laos, especially the implementation of the market economic mechanism, easily generates negative consequences; the increase in the gap between rich and poor; The degradation and recession of some cadres and party members, especially cadres with positions and power. This fact has exerted a strong and profound impact on ideology and the preservation of ethical qualities of cadres and party members in general, and cadres managed by PPSC in particular. In fact, there have been many cadres who have fallen were PPSC managed while taking advantage of their assigned positions and powers to illegally gain benefits for individuals and families, and even being bribed and seduced into doing illegal things, while the locality remains poor, but cadres spend lavishly and wastefully. Without proper training of revolutionary ethics for these cadres, not only will they commit more serious mistakes, but they may spread negativity to other cadres, forming negative “interest groups”, reducing the Party’s leadership capacity and fighting power, the State’s management effectiveness and reducing people’s trust in the Party and the State.

Fourthly, the training of revolutionary ethics for cadres managed by PPSC contributes to improving their political positivity and proactive personal development

The training of revolutionary ethics encourages all local cadres and party members, especially the cadres managed by PPSC to emphasize responsibility and actively cultivate their political qualities and revolutionary ethics. They must understand that revolutionary ethics is the foremost standard for leaders and managers; it is an urgent requirement of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party and an indispensable basis for building a clean and strong Party and political system, fulfilling the local political tasks, and living up to the people’s trust. In particular, the training of revolutionary ethics helps cadres managed by PPSC maintain a positive attitude, uphold their exemplary role, strictly adhere to the responsibility of setting an example in their training, and enhance their sense of responsibility towards the Party, the nation, and the people, serving the country and wholeheartedly serving the people. It also helps them avoid the negative impacts of the market economy, international integration, and other societal negativities.

Fifthly, the training of revolutionary ethics for cadres managed by the PPSC contributes to thwart the schemes and tactics of hostile forces

Currently, hostile forces are taking full advantage of economic difficulties, natural disasters, epidemics, environmental pollution, corruption, loopholes in the law, and the negative behavior of some cadres and party members to undermine the reputation of cadres, to carry out “peaceful evolution” for leadership and management cadres at all levels, including cadres managed by PPSC. Therefore, the training of revolutionary ethics will strengthen and increase the cadres’ confidence in the cause of building socialism in the country and the leadership of the Party and the management of the State, thereby increasing the trust of the Lao tribal people in the local leaders and managers, countering the distorted allegations of hostile forces.

Correctly raising awareness and seriously implementing the training and fostering of revolutionary ethics is the best way for cadres managed by PPSC to stay vigilant and to know how to protect themselves against propaganda tricks, distortions, seduction, bribes, and incitements by hostile forces and bad elements.

2. Solutions to enhance the training of revolutionary ethics for cadres managed by PPSC

In order to achieve high quality and efficiency in the training of revolutionary ethics for cadres managed by PPSC, several solutions need to be implemented synchronously.

Firstly, raise awareness, and the leadership and directive responsibilities of the PPC’s, PPSC’s regarding enhancing the training of revolutionary ethics for cadres managed by PPSC

First of all, PPCs, and PPSCs shall deeply grasp and raise their awareness and responsibilities of PPC, PPSC and party committee at all levels, including heads of agencies, party organizations, provincial and district authorities. They must master and correctly implement their responsibilities and powers according to Resolution No. 31/BCT of the Politburo on personnel management and the Law on Local Government Organization; Fully comprehend and clearly understand their roles and duties in training revolutionary ethics for cadres managed by PPSC.

There needs to be a unified understanding: the work of educating and fostering revolutionary ethics for PPSC managed cadres, is the primary responsibility of the PPSC; The training of revolutionary ethics for PPSC managed cadres is an issue of both immediate and long-term importance. If these cadres are not regularly trained in revolutionary ethics, they cannot effectively lead their subordinate cadres, Ministries under their authority, and the people, to fulfill their responsibilities, and may even commit violations.

In the current situation, each PPSC member and leaders of the provincial government agencies need to be fully aware of their responsibilities regarding the training revolutionary ethics for PPSC managed cadres, and at the same time strengthen the fight to overcome incorrect and erroneous perceptions to prevent and reverse the deterioration of ethics and lifestyle of cadres and party members in party organizations and government agencies of the province and district levels. Consequently, the subordinate party committees should have solutions to promote the role of party and government organizations in training revolutionary ethics for PPSC managed cadres, contributing to improving the effectiveness of organizing this work. Based on this understanding, the PPSC sets out policies, plans and measures to lead and direct the effective implementation of training revolutionary ethics for cadres managed by PPSC.

PPSCs need to build a system of revolutionary ethical standards for cadres, party members in general, and cadres managed by PPSC in particular, as a basis for party committees and organizations at all levels to properly evaluate the ethical qualities of each cadre. There are appropriate measures to train cadres and are goals set for each staff member for which to study and strive to achieve. The revolutionary ethics standards for cadres was clearly defined by President Kaysone Phomvihane and the Lao People’s Democratic Party based on the perspectives of Marxism - Leninism and the good customs and traditions of the people of the Lao tribes, and should be applied to regulate the system of standards for cadres managed by PPSC.

In current conditions, the development of ethical standards for cadres managed by PPSC requires special focus on criteria such as the commitment to continuous improvement, enhancing work capacity and efficiency; preventing and reversing deterioration in political ideology, ethics, and lifestyle; resolutely fighting against corruption and wastefulness.

Secondly, improving the comprehensive qualifications, especially the political-administrative theoretical qualifications of cadres managed by PPSC

Every cadre and party member, in any circumstance or position, should have both virtue and talent. In the qualities of revolutionary ethics, there are elements related to the working capacity of cadres, so they should be actively studying, especially learning political and administrative theory, constantly improving their qualifications and working capacity, which is also a requirement of revolutionary ethics. Improving the level of political and administrative theory for cadres managed by PPSC is necessary to create comprehensive development for each cadre and is a factor for each cadre to fully develop all their capabilities at work, contributing to increasing work efficiency, especially in management and leadership.

Of course, the work of training and fostering political and administrative theory for the staff and cadres needs to be implemented in accordance with the policy stated in the Document of the 11th Congress of the Lao People’s Democratic Party: “ Actively develop and improve the curriculum and content of political-administrative theory education nationwide, including the political-administrative theory textbooks for various school levels to match reality, making it a compulsory subject in schools. At the same time, enhance the knowledge level and capacity of the teaching staff and instructors of political-administrative theory and improve the quality of this work”(2).

Thirdly, focus on directing and renovation the content and form of training revolutionary ethics for cadres managed by PPSC

The Central and provincial committee should increase attention and direct the work of training revolutionary ethics for cadres, investing state and local budgets in training and fostering cadres based on planning and standards for cadre titles both domestically and internationally to meet requirements in the new period. The Politburo, the Secretariat and the Party Central Committee’s advisory agencies have instructions the provincial Party Committees on the training and fostering of cadres in both political-administrative theory, expertise, professionalism, and about revolutionary ethics; Implementing decentralization in staff management and the training of revolutionary ethics cadres managed by PPSC. At the same time, regularly inspect and supervise the implementation of training and management of staff in all the province and district branches.

The Politburo and the Secretariat should direct the Central Communication and Education Commission Department to coordinate with the Lao National Academy of Politics and Public Administration to develop programs and content to foster revolutionary ethics for all types of cadres and civil servants; Provide guidance on building and using a team of lecturers to participate in the training for political and administrative school systems; Provide materials for students to attend training courses on revolutionary ethics. The Party Central Committee’s Organizing Committee should coordinate with the Central Propaganda Committee and the Lao National Academy of Politics and Administration to organize training courses on the topic of revolutionary ethics and Kaysone Phomvihanan ethics for cadres managed by PPSC.

Based on the correct and clear determination of the training objectives, it is necessary to renovate the content and form of the training to suit the target audience. The content of training revolutionary ethics in the current situation should be renovated in the direction of unifying ethics with politics and economics; between ethical consciousness and ethical behavior in real life; between immediate benefits and long-term benefits; between individuals and groups; etc. The content of the training of revolutionary ethics for cadres managed by PPSC today, needs to focus on revolutionary ethical values such as: loyalty to the Party, to the Fatherland, to socialism; wholeheartedly serving the people; The spirit of self-awareness, creativity, daring to think, daring to do, daring to take responsibility; love of homeland, country, national pride; the spirit of humanity, promoting the good traditional values of the Lao tribal people; understanding of strict compliance with the law; respecting and a close connection with the people, and so on.

Regarding training methods, it is necessary to combine ethics training with the practical activities of cadres, through the quality of work and the revolutionary movement to educate and train cadres in revolutionary ethics; combine “building” and “combating”, criticism and setting a good examples, self-criticism and criticism; Combine education and the training for revolutionary ethics with education on political-administrative theory and professionalism.

Fourthly, improve the quality of self-criticism and criticism; Strengthen staff management, inspection, supervision, and praise for cadres with good ethical qualities, and strictly handle cadres who violate ethics and lifestyle

To strengthen the work of training revolutionary ethics for cadres, in addition to improving the self-discipline, self-training and self-education of each cadre, it is necessary to improve the quality of building and strengthen the quality of the internal management of each organization and agency. Strictly implement self-criticism and criticism in party organizations and government agencies; ensure objectivity, fairness, impartiality, reason, compassion, encouraging each other to promote strengths, and help each other overcome weaknesses.

PPCs need to strengthen inspection and supervision of cadres managed by PPSCs on the basis of promoting the role of the Party Committee’s inspection committee, especially in inspecting party members when there are signs of violation; Ensure close coordination between party inspection, supervision and discipline with the State’s inspection, investigation and auditing system, the supervision of the provincial People’s Council and the provincial Lao Front for National Construction at provincial political and social organizations; At the same time, resolutely and promptly handle cadres who violate ethics and lifestyle to deter and educate the public in general.

The management of incumbent cadres must be carried out synchronously with various measures such as: planning, arranging, and assigning tasks to cadres in a reasonable manner; through inspection and supervision of staff activities; through party activities, government agencies, and professionals; through cadres’ records and resumes, etc. In the current situation, the most important and most direct measure is to combine the management of cadres at work with the management of cadres at their residences and party activities, because those are the places where cadres work and live every day, every hour, where both their good and bad sides are clearly revealed and thereby help the party organizations, government agencies, colleagues and people monitor and help such cadres in the most complete and effective way.

Fifthly, promote the supervisory and feedback role of cadres, civil servants, agencies, and the people

Cadres, civil servants, and the people are the ones who directly implement the Party’s resolutions and directives, the State’s policies and laws, the working policies of the party committees, and the directions of local government agencies. They are also the masters of the locality and the country; they are in a position to monitor and supervise leaders and managers at their places of work and residence; those who can contribute feedback to cadres and party members at work and in life, and at the same time make denouncements to party committees and government agencies regarding any cadres managed by PPSC who show signs of violation or degradation in political ideology, ethics, lifestyle and manifestations of non-compliance with the responsibilities, roles and powers of agencies, party organizations, and authorities at the provincial and district levels.

It is essential to focus on and promote the role of the Lao Front in building the country, and socio-political organizations creating conditions and opportunities for cadres, party members, civil servants, and people from all walks of life to participate in monitoring and providing feedback to the party committee and the management agency of cadres managed by PPSC about those with good moral qualities and those showing signs of deviation and ethical violations. This ensures that the party committee can take timely and appropriate educational and training measures, preventing small mistakes from turning into significant violations.

Sixthly, promote the spirit of self-discipline in revolutionary ethics training of each incumbent cadre and those in the planning under the management of PPSC

This solution plays a very important role in the role of training ethical values for cadres, because if each cadre is not self-aware, no matter how hard they try, the work of training ethical values in organizations and agencies will be difficult will not yield real results.

To promote the role of cadres’ self-training in revolutionary ethics, party committees at all levels need to determine the responsibility for cadres to voluntarily and comprehensively train in revolutionary ethics regularly; Guide cadre to properly build and implement programs and plans for self-training and the training of individual leadership skills; Build a favorable working environment and social environment for cadres to self-train their ethical values; help cadres overcome difficulties at work and in life; Strengthen criticism and correction of negative manifestations of ethics and lifestyle.

It is necessary to build party organizations and government agencies where cadres managed by PPSC are truly clean, strong, united, cordial, strictly disciplined, open and transparent, focusing on work with a high sense of combativeness, avoiding parochialism, factionalism, or seeking positions of power, etc. Create local social opinion to promote the values of the Party, strongly criticize and condemn negative behaviors; orienting public opinion to protect and honor cadres who are setting good examples of ethics, criticizing unhealthy behaviors, and manifestations of defending the wrong, the bad, and confusing the good and the bad.

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Received: January 18, 2024; Revised: February 8, 2024; Approved for publication: February 27, 2024.

Endnotes:

(1) Ho Chi Minh: Complete Works, vol.5, National Political Publishing House, Hanoi, 2011, p.309.

(2) Lao People’s Revolutionary Party: Documents of the 11th Congress, State Publishing House, Vientiane, 2021, pp. 44-45.

(11), (12) https://vneconomy.vn/ca-nuoc-con-hon-1-9-trieu-ho-ngheo-da-chieu.htm

(13) http://dukcqtw.dcs.vn/xay-dung-va-thuc-hien-chinh-sach-che-do-doi-voi-nguoi-co-cong-voi-cach-mang-duk15652.aspx.