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the false arguments of the hostile forces of socialism and of our country's revolution.

To understand and consider what a political theory textbook is, or in other words, to distinguish it from other types of political theory books, it is necessary to identify some background concepts related to the following topic of study:

Textbooks are books for learning and teaching in schools in the education system.

Education is a Chinese word meaning to teach. It is a conscious, purposeful, planned, and organized process of activities aimed at cultivating learners with qualities, ethics, and necessary knowledge, thereby creating the ability to participate in all aspects of life, transform nature, and change history to serve the interests of oneself and the community. To effectively perform the educational function, all scientific subjects must be based on the purpose and training objects to determine the program, content, methods, and organization of teaching and learning of that subject, in which the compilation of teaching and learning textbooks is a very important task.

Textbooks are the most typical type of document serving the function of education and training. Therefore, the direction of compiling and publishing textbooks (especially political theory textbooks) has always been of primary concern to our Party and State. President Ho Chi Minh once said: "Without education, without cadres, there is no talk of economic culture" 1) . Therefore, as early as 1927, in order to open training classes for revolutionaries, prepare for the establishment of the Communist Party of Vietnam, and bring cadres

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After returning to the country to lead the revolution, he directly drafted a textbook to teach and foster political theory for the class called The Revolutionary Path . It can be said that until now, the Revolutionary Path of President Ho Chi Minh

1) Ho Chi Minh: Complete Works , National Political Publishing House, Hanoi, 2002, vol. 8, p. 184.

Ho Chi Minh's teachings are still a model textbook, fully demonstrating the characteristics and nature of political theory science, compiled with a structure and expression suitable to the requirements of teaching and learning; suitable to the characteristics of the level and psychology of the learner, easy to remember and easy to apply 2) .

The concept of “curriculum”, according to the Vietnamese Dictionary , is a limited combination of words that refers to books for subjects used in schools. In terms of word types, curriculum, textbooks, and teaching materials are different, but have similar connotations. In a certain sense, in reality, they are used with the same meaning, and are also commonly called textbooks.

So, political theory textbooks are books to teach Marxist-Leninist science, Ho Chi Minh's thought, the Party's guidelines, laws, and policies of our State to students, cadres, and Party members at State-system schools and Party school systems nationwide.

When talking about textbooks, we always associate them with and go hand in hand with a specific field or subject of science. Therefore, the concept of "textbook" exists as an adjective, not a noun. It is used to refer to the nature of the type of book used in teaching and learning in classes and schools. Textbook refers to a type of book, not a specific book, whether it is written on the cover or not, from Textbook, Lecture Book, Study Materials... or not?

Previously, in the late 1970s, in our country, in the field of publishing political theory textbooks, there was a notion that, in our opinion, was incorrect: Books used for studying theory were divided into many levels depending on the maturity, quality of content or based on its stability. The subject was newly introduced into teaching, the compilation was still sketchy, and there was still a lot of content.

2) See Revolutionary Path - Theoretical and practical values , Ho Chi Minh City General Publishing House, 2007, p. 137.

If you are not really confident, then call it a lecture series, for example at that time there was a Lecture Series on Party Building or a Lecture Series on Socialist Culture...

After a period of teaching, drawing experience, editing, supplementing, correcting and the lecture is truly systematic, complete in content, well-evaluated by readers, the quality of presenting categories, laws, principles is stable, we publish it as a textbook, a textbook. Thus, the above concept lacks scientific basis. The quality and maturity in the compilation of the book do not speak to the characteristics of the political theory textbook to distinguish it from other books of the same type. In our opinion, the relationship between the political theory textbook and other types of political theory books is the relationship between the general and the particular and the specific. To do so, we must have a very objective approach when determining its characteristics.

1.2. Some characteristics of the curriculum

Textbooks are books used in schools and classrooms. The content of textbooks is compiled based on the program issued by the State for a type of school, class and a certain number of learners to achieve the proposed educational goals.

The main objective of the curriculum is to impart knowledge, provide information, strengthen beliefs, build character, and guide actions. In addition to subject content knowledge, the curriculum also focuses on providing thinking methods, practical application methods, or in other words, equipping each learner with methods.

Political theory textbooks, accordingly, are books containing political theory issues, compiled according to a certain political theory education program, as learning and teaching tools for a specific audience.

The purpose is to improve political theory knowledge, form and develop in learners political self-awareness, capacity and enthusiasm to participate in the country's political life.

According to different criteria, current political theory textbooks can be divided into many categories, many book sections, and bookcases:

- If divided by level of education, political theory textbooks have the following types: political textbooks for general education programs, elementary programs, intermediate programs, and advanced political theory programs. Or it can be divided in another way: political theory textbooks for basic, intermediate, university, and postgraduate programs.

- Based on the scientific expertise that the book contains, political theory textbooks can be divided into: textbooks on Marxist-Leninist theory subjects: Philosophy, Political Economy, Scientific Socialism...; textbooks on Ho Chi Minh Thought, Party History, Party Building, etc.

- Based on the function of teaching and learning political theory, political theory textbooks can be divided into: textbooks for teachers, textbooks for students, reference books, questions and answers according to the educational program...

Although it is also a type of book, a political theory textbook must first have all the characteristics of a type of textbook and then its own distinct characteristics. These characteristics combine and intertwine to create the full meaning of a political theory textbook.

1.2.1. Characteristics of the standard and pedagogical nature of political theory textbooks

- Basic standard

The content of political theory textbooks has mandatory standards of knowledge and skills that learners must achieve and teachers must

thoroughly to unify the learning and teaching for academies and universities nationwide. The curriculum must select basic and appropriate knowledge elements to form knowledge units that meet the requirements of the program. Tool concepts are indispensable to guide readers from simple to complex knowledge, from low to high. It will be difficult for anyone to understand what a socio-economic form is and its laws of motion if they do not start with understanding "productive forces", "production relations" and other concepts.

We must consider carefully, otherwise it will lead to the situation of cutting knowledge, lowering requirements. We need to clearly see the connection between event documents and real documents. Events must be typical, representative, and sufficient. If there are too few, it will lead to a lack of understanding in the process of scientific cognition, if there are too many, it will be cumbersome, heavy, and easily cover up the logical path leading to the perception of the nature of the problem. Only then will it be suitable for the psychology, age, and thinking ability of each learner.

It is impossible to choose an abstract knowledge element that requires quite complex thinking to include in the textbook. This would eliminate the pedagogical aspect - an important requirement for all types of textbooks. Readers cannot be born knowing the content mentioned in the book, so even though it has a scientific language style, a political theory textbook needs to avoid using sophisticated, difficult to understand, and unfamiliar words for readers. After all, this is not a purely technical publication, a simple, friendly communication style is often more effective. A real political theory textbook needs to be concise, easy to understand, straightforward, and contain information in a way that is transmitted directly from the author to the reader.

- Systemic

Like any other type of textbook, political theory textbook is not

It is only effective for one school year, one level of education, but it is effective in many levels of education - that is the vertical system. The political theory textbook of this level of education is the basis for the textbooks of the next level of education and the next level of education.

In addition, the political theory textbook also has a horizontal connection - that is, the organic connection between political theory subjects with each other and with other subjects. Ensuring the horizontal connection will increase the effectiveness of the book.

At all levels of education from primary to university, this vertical and horizontal connection requires that the knowledge presented in the curriculum must be stable for a relatively long time. Changing knowledge in one subject will affect other subjects and affect students' ability to absorb. This can be clearly seen in philosophy curriculum, if concepts such as "matter", "social relations" ... are not presented accurately and clearly, students cannot grasp the knowledge in the following lessons, in many other subjects. However, stability should not be considered rigidly. When necessary, the content of political theory curriculum must still be adjusted to suit the latest scientific achievements and new requirements of the revolution.

- Pedagogical

Political theory textbooks are one of the tools for teachers to perform their professional role in the teaching process. Textbooks can provide many new paths, new tools, new practices to apply teaching theory and each teacher's sensitivity to pedagogical circumstances.

The development of teaching theory of subjects presented in the textbook provides teachers with a range of appropriate actions to improve or innovate teaching methods. The materials presented in the textbook, the notes, instructions for exploitation, the types of assessment that teachers

The program helps teachers with the ability to impart knowledge to students.

For students, political theory textbooks help them integrate what they have learned and then apply it to situations. Knowledge integration is a process of vertical and horizontal integration, turning training into self-training with increasing levels from lower to higher levels of education. The textbooks not only impart knowledge and skills but also improve behavioral skills, helping students accumulate knowledge and adapt to the training and working environment later.

From this characteristic, editors of political theory textbooks must pay attention when reviewing any manuscript: Is the problem-solving method applied in the manuscript consistent with the pedagogical perspective? Does the manuscript propose research activities for learners and students? How are the diversity of exercises and the relevance of the content of the textbook presented? How are the exercises designed to help learners self-check their progress and learning achievements compiled?

All of the above characteristics are the characteristics of any textbook. They do not exist separately or individually. They combine together, intertwine, and manifest at different levels according to each type of textbook. Sometimes it is necessary to highlight the pedagogical aspect, sometimes it is necessary to emphasize the normative aspect... but in the end, it is a unified, complete entity. The lack or violation of any of these characteristics will make the textbook lose its full meaning.

1.2.2. Characteristics of the direct political nature of political theory textbooks

In a society with class division and class struggle, the principle of party spirit in book publishing requires political significance and service.

political tasks of a certain class. However, in each type of book, the political nature and party spirit are expressed differently. Political theory textbooks always have a direct political nature. Its content deals with the orthodox views of the Party and the State, directly linked to the political and ideological struggle.

Based on its role and function, political theory textbooks first of all contain the ideology of the working class, Ho Chi Minh's thought, and the policies of the Party and the State, and at the same time provide students, students, and managers with the ability to apply orthodox viewpoints to solve practical problems arising in political life. If political theory books in general are considered "heavy industry of the ideological industry", then political theory textbooks will certainly be the basis of that industry.

- For theoretical study and research, political theory textbooks have the following tasks:

+ Provide theoretical basis and research methods for learners and researchers.

+ Provides a summarized, generalized practical basis for those who study in-depth theory.

+ Directly contribute to building a team of people doing ideological work, theoretical research, and leaders from the very first steps.

- For propaganda and education work, political theory textbooks have the following tasks:

+ Education on Marxist-Leninist worldview, healthy outlook on life, strong motivation and self-awareness.

+ Directly disseminate the Party's guidelines and State policies.

- For propaganda work, political theory textbooks have the following tasks: