Ensuring the connection between economic development and social progress and equity

In the article “Proud and confident under the glorious flag of the Party, determined to build an increasingly prosperous, civilized, cultured and heroic Vietnam” on the occasion of the 94th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam, there is an important directive of our Party that was emphasized by General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong: “must link the economy with society, unify economic policies with social policies, economic growth goes hand in hand with the implementation of social progress and equity”. In my opinion, this is an important orientation in the current period, when the negative side of the market economy still has negative impacts, causing many of the Party's superior policies and guidelines to not really reach the people.

Illustrative photo: Many policies of the Party and State have helped ethnic minorities escape poverty and develop sustainably. (Photo: VNA)

Linking economic development with social progress and equity is the consistent viewpoint of our Party, especially since the country shifted from a centralized, bureaucratic, subsidized economy to a socialist-oriented market economy, this policy has been increasingly emphasized. Reality shows that, under the leadership of the Party, the country's innovation process has made important developments and achieved many great achievements. The economic growth rate has been quite good for many years, and the scale of the economy is much larger than before.

From a country with food shortages, Vietnam has now not only ensured food security but also become one of the world's leading exporters of agricultural products. At the same time, the implementation of social progress and equity, and the improvement of people's lives have been paid attention to by all levels and sectors, demonstrated through indicators on reducing gender inequality; narrowing the gap between rich and poor (typically the National Target Program on Sustainable Poverty Reduction for the period 2021-2025) is implemented nationwide, focusing on poor districts and particularly disadvantaged communes in coastal and island areas; income distribution is kept within a fairly safe threshold compared to countries with the same income bracket. The Millennium Development Goal on eliminating extreme poverty and hunger has been achieved; the poverty rate has gradually decreased over time along with economic growth...

From the results achieved, we can proudly affirm that the development of a socialist-oriented market economy is a very fundamental and creative theoretical breakthrough of our Party, an important theoretical achievement after nearly 40 years of implementing the renovation policy, originating from Vietnam's reality and selectively absorbing world experience. I completely agree with the General Secretary's direction: economic growth coupled with social progress and equity must be implemented immediately in every step, every policy and throughout the development process.

That means: Do not wait until the economy reaches a high level of development before implementing social progress and equity; and do not “sacrifice” social progress and equity to pursue mere economic growth. On the contrary, every economic policy must aim at the goal of social development; every social policy must aim to create a driving force for economic development; encouraging legal enrichment must go hand in hand with sustainable poverty reduction and hunger eradication, and caring for those with meritorious services and those in difficult circumstances. This is a principled requirement to ensure healthy, sustainable development in the direction of socialism.

To effectively implement the above-mentioned direction, it is necessary for Party committees at all levels to raise awareness among cadres and Party members, especially socio-economic policy-making agencies, production and business establishments, about the important position and role of the relationship between economic development and the implementation of social progress and equity in each specific development policy. In addition, it is necessary to resolutely fight against the trend of seeking profits and material benefits at all costs, moving away from the goal of economic growth associated with ensuring social progress and equity.

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