The Concept of Political Courage of Students

Philosophers such as Confucius, Plato… approached the word “Politics” and basic political issues such as power and state organization. Greek philosopher Aristotle asserted that humans are political animals, all moral citizens (not slaves or women) have the right to participate in politics, but a major common point in the reasoning of these ancient philosophers is that political power should best be held by wise kings. Therefore, politics here means the art of governing and managing a city-state by an outstanding, brilliant leader or the science of winning and holding royal power in the world.

According to Marxism-Leninism, politics essentially originates from the relationship of interests between classes, social groups, and nationalities. Of these, the first and most fundamental is economic interest. From that, we see that what directly governs politics is class relations and the most central and key issue in politics is the issue of state power. The issue of class relations and the issue of state power are the two most fundamental issues of politics. In other words, politics is the relationship between classes, nations, ethnicities, and social forces in gaining, maintaining, and exercising state power.

In line with the specific historical conditions of our country, President Ho Chi Minh affirmed that politics is always closely linked to ethics, and he especially emphasized ethics: “The goal of politics is to act for the country, for the people, for the progress of humanity. The basic content in the concept of politics is solidarity and ethics. Politics is solidarity. Politics - the invincible strength in the struggle for independence, unification and development of the country is solidarity...” [113; p.263].

Another approach, the Dictionary of Philosophy defines: “Politics is participation in state affairs, the regulation of forms, tasks, and contents of state activities. The political field includes issues of state regime, national management, class leadership, party struggles, etc. The fundamental interests of classes and their mutual relations are expressed in politics. Politics also expresses relations between peoples and between nations (foreign policy). Relations between classes and therefore their politics originate from their economic status. Political ideas and their corresponding institutions are the superstructure above the economic infrastructure. However, that does not mean at all that politics is a passive consequence of economics...” [169; pp.85-86]. Politics

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Politics is placed in the relationship between classes and social communities on state issues; is the participation of the people in state affairs; is the synthesis of directions and goals determined by the fundamental interests of classes and parties; is the practical activities of classes, parties, and states to implement the chosen path to achieve the set goals.

Regardless of the approach, the concept of politics still revolves around activities in the relationship between classes, parties, between one country and another, the core focus of which is the issue of winning, maintaining and using the power of that class and state. Accordingly, we believe that: Politics is all activities related to the relationships between classes, between ethnic groups and social strata, the core of which is the issue of winning power, maintaining and using the power of the State, determining the form of organization, tasks and content of the State's activities.

2.1.1.3. Political capacity

The mettle of an individual or organization can be considered from many different aspects. Based on the influence of social life on the viewpoints, attitudes, and behaviors of the subject with political mettle, scientific mettle, life mettle, professional mettle... in which political mettle is the most core and fundamental part. Political mettle is first and foremost the mettle of a person (individual) and it is expressed in the behavior of each individual in the field of political activities - the field that resolves the relationships between classes, strata, and ethnic groups in the process of gaining, maintaining, and exercising political power and state power.

According to the Vietnamese Military Encyclopedia , “political courage is the political quality of a person who has developed to the point where he can make independent and creative decisions, master his political behavior in the face of political turning points and complex situations; not wavering or faltering in the face of hardships and difficulties, resolutely achieving the set goals and ideals” [167; p.345]. Political courage is approached as a political quality created by political practice. If not placed in a problematic situation, political courage is simply a manifestation of psychology. This concept emphasizes the stance of the subject when placing actions in complex situations.

Up to now, the issue of political courage has been raised by many researchers.

mentioned. There is an opinion that political mettle is determined by temperament, qualities, and abilities, in which qualities are the factors that strictly determine political mettle: “Political mettle is a collection of positive, progressive qualities that, thanks to which, the actions of each individual in political activities are oriented in a positive direction (considered according to the final results), bringing certain victory to a political event” [144; p.14]. Political mettle is also affirmed to be a synthetic factor of political stance, political qualities, political abilities, and political courage associated with the behavior of each individual in political activities: “Political mettle often appears clearly at historical turning points, in dangerous situations...” [183].

Starting from the viewpoint that political mettle is not purely psychological because in reality, considering it from a purely psychological perspective is nothing more than a method of individualization and abstraction for analysis, and there is no psychological attitude that is not associated with action. Thus, political mettle is only formed and appears in specific circumstances associated with human life activities such as economic, political, cultural, scientific research, sports, religious activities, etc. On that basis, the thesis approaches political mettle as a synthetic factor of typical human values.

Political mettle is a collection of progressive, positive factors, clearly demonstrating the ability to master special tasks, in the face of extreme challenges, at historical turning points. In terms of achieved results, political mettle is closely linked to the goals and ideals of people to fight for a better life, thanks to which the actions of each individual in political activities are positively oriented, bringing certain victories to a political event or goal.

Accordingly, we believe that: Political mettle is the synthesis of political stance, political qualities, political capacity, and political courage, formed and revealed in political practice, demonstrating steadfastness, determination, and not being shaken by any external influences; determination to strive to achieve the goals set at a specific historical period .

The political mettle of each person is clearly demonstrated in the steadfastness and consistency of political stance, not wavering or changing in the face of any impact. However, in the face of rapid changes and unpredictable situations,

Unexpected, unpredictable, people with political courage are always calm, active and sharp to overcome, flexibly and effectively handle political and social problems encountered. Faced with complex changes in social life, if one does not correctly assess the nature, does not clearly understand the objective laws of motion, one cannot control the situation, easily wavering, wavering, and confused in handling. Political subjects need to be equipped with sufficient knowledge in perception and practical activities, always proactive, independent, timely and accurate handling of situations. Therefore, political capacity is a basic and necessary factor to have political courage. However, political courage also requires political qualities, which are the will to fight, an honest attitude in defending the right, criticizing the wrong, not retreating in the face of negativity, and steadfastness in the political goals that one has set for oneself.

2.1.2. Concept of political capacity of students

2.1.2.1. Students

The term “Students” is derived from Latin, meaning those who work enthusiastically to learn and exploit knowledge. In Vietnam, students are a group of young people, mainly between the ages of 18 and 25, selected through national exams and trained in colleges and universities. In the Vietnamese Dictionary , “students are people studying at university level” [178; p.1380]. The main activities of students are to study and train to become workers who have knowledge, professional skills, research and development capacity for applying science and technology commensurate with their training level; have good health; have political and moral qualities, creativity and professional responsibility.

Students are people who have reached a certain maturity both physically and mentally, both biologically and socially. With a sensitive mentality, liking new things, liking to explore and create, students are people with rich dreams, ambitions, rich imagination, always wanting to assert themselves, not depending on others, worshiping fairness, rejecting injustice, having the need to improve their education as well as the need to express their own opinions and views.

The basic method of student activity is research-based learning under the guidance of lecturers to acquire knowledge, techniques, and skills related to future careers. The learning process of students is a process of movement and growth in many aspects, both physically and mentally; capacity

Intelligence, independent thinking, creativity are increasingly developed; the ability to generalize and abstract is increasingly high. The development of modern media has made students' understanding of political and social issues constantly increase. Accordingly, it can be understood that: Students are those who are studying at universities and colleges and are trained in a certain major to become high-quality human resources in the future.

With the tradition of studiousness and respect for talented people, generations of Vietnamese people have always cared for, cared for, trained and nurtured talents for the country. In any period, the intellectual team is an important resource of the country, knowledge is the precious capital of the nation, intelligence is the greatest resource of the nation. Students as the main reserve to supplement high-quality human resources in the future, making the capital and resources of the nation strong, play an extremely important role. “Vietnamese students are an elite group of young people, knowledgeable, creative, living with dreams, ambitions, and ideals; are an important force, inheriting and promoting the revolutionary achievements of the Party and the nation. The majority of Vietnamese students are patriotic, have the spirit of protecting the sovereignty of the Fatherland; are always active and proactive in studying and training; well implement the Party's guidelines and policies, the State's laws and policies” [72; pp.22-23].

2.1.2.2. Political capacity of students

The political mettle of students is the expression and affirmation of the strengths of the political subject, from qualities, abilities, qualities to courage in political relationships. The clearest manifestation of students with political mettle is having a firm stance, having the ability, qualities, and positive courage to independently and persistently pursue the goals they have chosen. Students are young people, growing up, and perfecting themselves in all aspects. The political mettle of students continues to be maintained and strengthened when their stance, abilities, qualities, and courage are always focused on nurturing and training.

Students are people who have a relatively solid knowledge foundation, are able to apply knowledge into practice relatively effectively so that they can take responsibility for all their political actions. President Ho Chi Minh once said: "Theory is the summary of human experiences, the synthesis of knowledge about nature and society accumulated in the historical process" [116; p.96]. Knowledge plays a key role in forming worldviews and

The more solid the methodology and knowledge are, the more accurately they reflect the nature and laws of political movement; the more abundant the experience, which is summarized and tested in practice, the more it helps students improve their awareness and thinking ability so that their political will is increasingly solid.

The journey to political mettle for students is first of all studying, studying at school, studying in books, studying from friends, studying from teachers... Knowledge is acquired when knowing how to determine a scientific study method, knowing how to find the hidden thread, finding the internal logic of a problem on the basis of a thinking process to find the truth. Therefore, there is a view that the political mettle of Vietnamese youth "is awareness and responsibility in studying and working to create for themselves enough intelligence, education level, talent, and will to contribute to building a rich and strong country, where people have a prosperous, free, and happy life" [29; p.55].

In the book Building the Courage of Today's Youth, author Ho Ba Tham affirmed that courage is a very important factor in developing personality, developing talent and ensuring success in career and life; political courage is "a quality of life of young people - young people in adulthood from about 18 - 35 years old, having a steadfast attitude in life, from thinking, studying, training themselves and contributing to society" [143; p.70].

Among human qualities, political qualities are the most basic and core values because they are placed in relation to real life. The requirements for political qualities for students are clearly shown in the correct orientation of striving, in accordance with the goals set by the student subjects. When political qualities are nurtured and developed comprehensively in the right direction, the political mettle of students will become increasingly steadfast and shine in real life.

In the relationship between factors that create political mettle, capacity and qualities are the basic factors to promote the actions of political subjects. Stance and courage are considered as the manifestations of mettle that help students master their behavior and activities when participating in political life. Thus, the cognitive factor or qualities themselves will not create political mettle without a firm political stance and a positive courage to carry out actions in political situations.

The combination of political stance and political courage creates a kind of

Special mental capacity allows individuals to carry out their orientation according to their set goals. This type of capacity helps students turn their plans into reality; helps them solve problems properly, have a scientific life, dare to face all challenges, dare to take responsibility for their actions, not expect or rely on others, live with high self-esteem; eliminate temptations and negativity in life to contribute more to society.

Political courage appears when an individual places himself in a political-social organization with goals and ideals to bring benefits to himself, to the collective and to society. There is no general political courage, political courage must be associated with an individual in society or with a member of a political party or state organization. Political courage is associated with each political entity because it is composed of different factors, at specific historical periods. The distinction of the political courage structure of students to find directions for solutions to enhance the training of political courage, but in reality, these factors are intertwined, there is no independent factor.

According to the above analysis, we believe that: Students' political mettle is a combination of political stance, political qualities, political capacity, and political courage, formed and revealed in political practice, demonstrating steadfastness, determination, and not being shaken by any external influences; determination to overcome all challenges to achieve the goal of studying and training for tomorrow's career.

2.2. Content of political qualities of students

The political capacity of students is a synthesis of four basic elements: political stance, political qualities, political capacity, and political courage. These four elements are unified and developed, creating a sustainable and stable political state, ensuring that students can achieve their set goals.

2.2.1. Political stance of students

President Ho Chi Minh once emphasized that the political mettle of cadres and party members is to always “clearly recognize right from wrong. Maintain a firm stance. Be loyal to the country. Be filial to the people” [112; p.354], which is a manifestation of class character and party character in all circumstances and at all times. The problem for students today is to always maintain a firm stance in the face of plots, tricks and actions.

sabotage of hostile forces against our country's revolution, correctly perceive the values of truth, goodness, and beauty to strive to study, practice, and be ready to contribute. Students need to identify specific requirements for political stance to build core values: Loyalty, steadfastness, aspiration, dedication, trust, and responsibility to bring about clearer results, to fulfill the role of guiding other elements in students' political mettle.

First, be absolutely loyal to the interests of the Party, the nation and the people; adhere to Marxism-Leninism, Ho Chi Minh thought, the goals of national independence and socialism, and the Party's renewal policy.

The correct worldview and methodology for students to be able to solve practical problems is to "firmly and firmly base on Marxism-Leninism and Ho Chi Minh's thought, while constantly supplementing and developing creatively, in accordance with Vietnamese reality; firmly pursuing the goal of national independence and socialism; firmly pursuing the path of innovation" [39; pp. 40-41]. On that basis, it helps students understand more clearly, fully and accurately the role of Marxism-Leninism, Ho Chi Minh's thought, the Party's guidelines and viewpoints in the cause of building the country on the path of socialism.

In his work “Common Political Knowledge”, President Ho Chi Minh pointed out: “Without studying theory, one will lack determination, will not have a far-sighted vision, and will lose direction during the struggle, resulting in “political blindness”, even corruption, and distance from the revolution” [110; 234]. Therefore, it is necessary to perceive and imbibe the basic, fundamental and lastingly true viewpoints of the three components of Marxism-Leninism, which are philosophy, political economy, and scientific socialism; clearly understand that Ho Chi Minh's thought is a system of knowledge that crystallizes the noble spiritual values of the East and the West, demonstrating the correct revolutionary path to seek happiness for the entire Vietnamese people. These contents are provided to students from five political theory subjects: Marxist-Leninist Philosophy, Marxist-Leninist Political Economy, Scientific Socialism, History of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh Thought according to Official Dispatch No. 3056/BGDĐT-GDĐH dated July 19, 2019 of the Ministry of Education and Training on guidelines for implementing programs and textbooks for political theory subjects.

Second, strictly comply with, propagate and disseminate the Party's guidelines and policies and the State's laws; school regulations and rules; maintain

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