Introduction

This is the website of Roland Boer, who is a Marxist philosopher now living in the countryside in China.

The site has a number of pages, including a list of selected publications from 2015 to 2026, recommended links, and a contact form.

My new research project concerns rural revitalisation, which I seek to analyse from the perspective of Marxist philosophy in China (which is very much pratice-based and problem-oriented). Early days yet, but the reader may expect to see more on this topic in future.

My recently completed ten-year research project concerned the philosophical aspects of the construction of socialism and socialist governance, as well as final monograph on the history of Marxist philosophy in China from the reform and opneing-up to the new era. You may view the publications page to see the items published in relation to this project, which includes four monographs and two “duographs,” along with a significant number of book chapters and scholarly journal articles. Over the last few years, I have also been interviewed and taken part in panels on many occasions in relation to this project and also in regard to my life in China. A selection of these items may be found on the publications page.

The need to study properly the extensive Chinese research on all this material is the major reason why I have learned the Chinese language – an arduous but fulfilling task. I have also been engaged directly with China for twenty years. As a result of this direct experience and extensive research, it has become clear that not only is China’s socialist system the most advanced in human history, but that its economic, social, political and cultural dimensions are more mature and robust than what you will find anywhere else. And while my many colleagues and friends in China are fully aware that much work still needs to be done in developing their socialist system, more and more developing countries are looking to the Chinese model of development so as to see what can be learned for constructing their models in light of their own concrete conditions.

A personal note: While I call China home, I also visit Australia on a regular basis to see family and friends.