Vietnam Economic History Part 1

Chapter 1

SUBJECTS AND RESEARCH METHODS OF VIETNAMESE ECONOMIC HISTORY

1.1. OBJECTS AND TASKS OF THE SUBJECT

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1.1.1. Research subjects

Depending on the specific characteristics of each country, people have different views on determining the research object of their country's economic history. In Vietnam, at the 1959 History Conference, based on the dialectical materialist methodology of the development of social history, with reference to the debates surrounding the determination of the research object of economic history in the world, our country's historians determined the basic research object of the science of Economic History.

Vietnam is 1 :

1) Research the overall development process of productive forces and production relations that govern each development stage of Vietnamese history in general and Vietnamese economic history in particular.

2) Study the general development of the factors constituting social productive forces in each historical period corresponding to the emergence and development of production relations in that society, in that historical period.

3) Study a part or some elements of the superstructure, when those elements have a direct impact on the economic development of that country or society, such as the social ideology related to economics, or economic thinking, economic mechanisms, economic management apparatus, etc.

Referring to the above viewpoint, combined with some other documents 2 , this textbook defines productive forces and production relations along with a

1 Cited by Le Quoc Su (1998), Some issues on Vietnam's economic history , National Political Publishing House, Hanoi. pp. 9-10.

2 "Economic History Textbook" of National Economics University (Editors: Nguyen Tri Dinh, Pham Huy Vinh, Tran Khanh Hung, 2013), "Economic History of Vietnam" (Editor: Nguyen Ngoc Thanh, 2013) and "Economic History of Vietnam" (Vo Van Sen, 2017).

The part of the superstructure that has a direct impact on economic development in historical periods of our country is the research object of Vietnamese Economic History.

According to Marxist theory on socio-economic formation, productive forces and production relations combine to form the mode of social production. Therefore, it can also be said in another way, the subject of research of Vietnam's economic history is the modes of production in our country's history along with a part of the superstructure (ideology, policies, guidelines, lines...) that have a direct impact on the mode of production in each specific period.

The economic history of Vietnam determines that the study of the object through the productive forces and production relations is a reasonable, scientific approach that goes into the nature of the economy. According to this approach, the study of productive forces helps us clearly recognize the level of development of the economy. The development of an economy is expressed in many aspects, but the most direct and clear is in the development of productive forces. Marxist theory shows that in a mode of production, productive forces are the factor that shows the level of development of the economy, and at the same time, it is also the criterion to distinguish the difference between historical eras. Therefore, the study of productive forces is to clarify the development of productive forces on the one hand, and the socio-economic significance of productive forces on the other hand. Marxist political economic theory also affirms that in a mode of production, the development of productive forces is fast or slow, depending largely on whether the production relations are suitable for the productive forces or not. If these two factors have a suitable relationship, the productive forces have the conditions to develop. On the contrary, the production relations will hinder and restrain the development of productive forces. Besides the productive forces, Vietnamese economic history needs to pay attention to studying the development of production relations because production relations are the economic basis of a socio-economic form, it shows the social nature of an economy. At the same time, production relations are also the criteria to distinguish the differences between socio-economic forms in history. When production relations change, society also changes from one socio-economic form to another.

other societies. Studying the transformation and development of production relations is to clarify the role of production relations in the transformation and development of productive forces in a positive (opening the way) or negative (restraining) direction of the economy.

However, it should be noted that in a historical period, there are often many different modes of production, so there are different production relations that affect the productive forces. Therefore, in the study, it is necessary to clearly identify which production relations play a leading role and have a positive impact on the development of the productive forces. In addition, it is necessary to pay attention to all three aspects of production relations, which are: ownership relations, management organization relations and distribution relations . In fact, each change in ownership relations can lead to changes in management organization relations and distribution relations, and at the same time affect the transformation of the productive forces and the entire economy.

In addition to the influence of productive forces and production relations, the economy is also affected by many other factors such as the environment, natural conditions and social factors. Therefore, to clarify economic development, in addition to studying productive forces and production relations, it is also necessary to pay attention to the impact and influence of other factors such as the environment, natural conditions, especially some factors belonging to the superstructure that have a direct impact on the economy such as ideology, guidelines, policies, economic institutions, etc.

Vietnamese economic history has a close relationship with a number of other sciences such as Vietnamese history (general history), Vietnamese economic geography, Vietnamese economy... but these sciences have their own research objects. For example, Vietnamese history has a research object of all aspects of social life according to the historical process, while Vietnamese economic history only focuses on economic research. Therefore, the relationship between Vietnamese economic history and Vietnamese history is the relationship between the particular and the general. Similarly, Vietnamese economic history and Vietnamese economics both study the Vietnamese economy but the time limits are different. Vietnamese economics only focuses on studying our country's economy during the renovation period (from 1986 to present).

The history of Vietnamese economy studies the economic process of our country from its origin to the present.

1.1.2. Research tasks

Every science, when formed, exists and develops, has specific functions and tasks. Vietnamese economic history has the following tasks:

- One is: Reflecting the economic development in our country's historical periods in an objective and scientific manner . Based on the collected, processed and selected documents (historical data), Vietnam Economic History will reconstruct (or sketch) the picture of our country's economy through specific periods.

- Second: Point out the characteristics and economic laws (specific) of historical periods and forecast future economic development trends . Drawing out the characteristics and economic laws from each period helps us gain a deeper understanding of the events, phenomena, and economic processes of the country.

- Third: Draw on the experiences of each period to contribute to the construction and development of the country's economy in the present and the future. The strength of historical science in general, and of Economic History in particular, is that it can draw lessons and experiences (from successes and failures) to help build, manage, and develop the economy better in the present and the future.

1.2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

1.2.1. Methodology

Methodology is the doctrine of methods used in specific sciences. It is an indispensable part of human scientific cognition. When there is a correct methodology, research activities will bring practical effects to practical activities.

To study and explain the events, phenomena, and economic processes in the historical process of our country scientifically, this subject is based on the Marxist-Leninist theoretical system. In which, the principles, categories, and laws of dialectical materialism, historical materialism,

Marxist-Leninist political economy is the general theoretical basis, the theoretical framework for the subject to approach the subject and form specific research methods on its subject.

In the basic viewpoints of Marxism-Leninism, the dialectical materialist viewpoint requires considering economic events, phenomena, and processes in a mutually dependent relationship, with negation and inheritance in constant movement and development. Therefore, when applying this viewpoint to the study of the Vietnamese economy through periods, it is necessary to pay attention not only to individual economic events and phenomena, but also to consider, analyze, and evaluate those events and phenomena in their general relationship with each other. If we do the opposite, it is easy to lead to subjective conclusions, not seeing the positive impact and general trend of the economy. Among them are decisive factors, reflecting the characteristics and trends of economic development. Another basic and important viewpoint of Marxism-Leninism is the historical materialist viewpoint. The materialist and political economic viewpoints of Marxism-Leninism affirm: The infrastructure determines the superstructure and vice versa, the superstructure has an impact on the infrastructure. Production relations must be consistent with the productive forces in terms of nature and level, etc. These viewpoints, principles, and laws play an important methodological role in the science of Vietnamese economic history.

Besides Marxist-Leninist theory, other economic theories of mankind along with the economic guidelines, policies and strategies of our Party and State in modern times are also the methodological basis for Vietnamese Economic History to approach the subject and form specific research methods.

1.2.2. Specific methods

Due to the development of science and the requirements of practice, scientific disciplines today often follow an interdisciplinary approach. Besides the specific methods of each discipline, many methods of other disciplines are also used in combination in the research process.

In studying its subject, the science of Vietnamese Economic History uses a combination of methods from different scientific disciplines. These are: historical methods, logical methods, statistical methods, economic mathematical methods, archaeological methods, ethnological methods, ecology, geography, etc. Among the above methods, the historical-logical method plays a leading role. In which, the historical method is a method of studying economic events and phenomena over time, associated with specific conditions and contexts. This is the most important method for Vietnamese Economic History. Because this method helps the subject fulfill its function and task of reflecting the economic development of our country through specific stages.

The logical method is one of the philosophical methods used by many scientific disciplines. This method requires that when researching, we must ignore random events and phenomena to delve into the nature of events, phenomena, and economic processes. From there, we can generalize the characteristics, trends, models, and laws of economic development in history. The historical method and the logical method are used in close combination by the science of Vietnamese Economic History; they support and complement each other in the research process.

In studying Vietnam's economic issues according to the historical approach, the periodization method plays an important role. Historical periodization is the division of a historical process into periods and stages. Accordingly, Vietnam's economic process is divided into different periods and stages. Such division helps research activities delve into each specific period and stage. From there, it is possible to find out the characteristics and discover the economic laws (specific) in each specific period and stage of the economy.

1.3. ROLE AND SIGNIFICANCE OF THE SUBJECT

In general, the sciences belonging to the category of history (including the science of Vietnamese Economic History) all play an important role. Because according to the French historian (Norman Davies), "No educated adult can hope to function effectively without knowing a

"Some basic facts about the origins of contemporary problems" 1 , that is, looking at the problem from a historical perspective. C. Marx and F. Engels, as early as the 19th century, highly appreciated the role of historical science. They once emphasized the importance of history through the saying: "We know only one science, the science of history" 2 .

Nowadays, to build and develop a modern economy, we cannot ignore the study and research of the nation's economic past. Accordingly, the subject of Vietnamese Economic History plays an important role and significance for learners. This subject plays an important role because it contributes to:

- Provide basic knowledge, helping learners acquire and apply specialized knowledge better in practical activities.

The training program for economic students is designed on two knowledge bases: general and specialized. Vietnamese economic history is one of the subjects in the general stage. It, along with many other subjects, creates a general knowledge base for learners. Accordingly, Vietnamese economic history contributes to "creating a foundation", helping learners to better absorb and apply specialized knowledge in practical activities.

- Nurture and enhance historical perspectives for learners

In study, work and life, this is a viewpoint that plays an important role for learners. The historical viewpoint (Marxist) requires examining things and phenomena in their formation, development and in relation to specific historical conditions. Vietnamese economic history always thoroughly grasps and applies the historical viewpoint to perceive and present issues related to its subject. Therefore, through studying and researching this subject, students will have the opportunity to form and develop their own historical viewpoint, helping them to perceive and act more correctly and effectively in life.

1 Norman Davies (2012), European History , Encyclopedia Publishing House, 2012, p.12.

2 C. Marx, F. Engels (1995), Complete Works, volume 3 , National Political Publishing House, Hanoi, 1995, p.25.

- Improve thinking ability and professional working capacity in the fields of economics, management and business administration

Vietnam's economic history provides students with general knowledge about the situation, characteristics, and laws of economic movement in our country according to the historical process, helping them improve their thinking ability and professional working capacity in the fields of economics, management, and business administration. Students are the future owners of the country. If they are well trained in their majors, including Vietnam's economic history, they will be an important force contributing to the country's progress in the direction of "rich people, strong country, fairness, democracy, civilization".

References

[01] C. Marx, F. Engels (1995), Complete Works, volume 3 , National Political Publishing House, Hanoi.

[02] Pham Van Chien (2007), " More discussion on the subject of Economic History, Vietnamese Economic History ", Science Journal, Hanoi National University, Economics - Law, No. 23, pp. 96-102.

[03] Nguyen Tri Dinh & colleagues (2013), Economic history textbook , National Economics University Publishing House, Hanoi.

[04] The Central Council directed the compilation of national textbooks for the subjects of Marxism-Leninism, Ho Chi Minh Thought (1999), Marxism-Leninism Philosophy Textbook , Hanoi.

[05] Phan Ngoc Lien (Editor-in-Chief, 2007), Historical methodology , Hanoi Pedagogical University Publishing House.

[06] Norman Davies (2012), European History , Encyclopedia Publishing House.

[07] Le Quoc Su (1998), Some issues on Vietnam's economic history , National Political Publishing House, Hanoi.

[08] Vo Van Sen (2017), Economic History of Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City National University Publishing House.