Imagethief was intrigued to read the following in a Washington Post story about the Seventeenth Party Congress this morning:

[Hu] used his two-and-one-half-hour speech mainly to underline his doctrine of "scientific development," which he described as "an important guiding principle for China's economic and social development and a major strategic thought that we must uphold and apply" to pursue "socialism with Chinese characteristics."

The party announced Sunday that Hu's innovation will be enshrined in the party charter during the week-long 17th National Congress as a historical contribution to Marxist ideology. 

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Just as important, it ushers Hu into a pantheon of historical Communist figures who have shaped Marxist doctrine. 

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"The Politburo formulated the guiding principles for the current amendment to the constitution, stressing that the amendment must follow the guidance of Marxism-Leninism, Mao Zedong Thought, Deng Xiaoping Theory and the important thought of [Jiang's] Three Represents, [as well as] embody the Scientific Development Outlook," Li Dongsheng, the congress spokesman, said at a news conference.

This is alarming. If every generation of Chinese leadership feels compelled have its contribution to "Marxist theory" enshrined in the party charter and the constitution, how long before the whole daisy chain of goofy ideologies gets completely out of control? Journey with me forty years and four administrations into China's future, to a similar statement being made at the 25th Party Congress in 2047:

"The Politburo formulated the guiding principles for the current amendment to the constitution, stressing that the amendment must follow the guidance of Marxism-Leninism, Mao Zedong Thought, Deng Xiaoping Theory, the Three Represents, the Scientific Theory of Development, the Button-Down Socialist Tango Manifesto, Xu Jinglei Thought, the Really Useless Countryside Doctrine, and the Twelve Unknowable Transgressions of Peter."

Shocking. To avoid this ghastly situation Imagethief respectfully proposes that the Party limit itself to referencing no more than four theories in any one constitution. If they want to adopt a new one, they'll have to pick an old one to get rid of. It's tough, but a little ruthless discipline will be the best way to manage the cancer-like growth of this clump of theories.

Of course, some may argue that replacing the current system of government would be a better approach but that, as you well know, is crazy talk.