Abstract: The definition of “the human” is the logical starting point for the construction of democratic theory, and issues such as the essence of human beings, their forms of existence, and their attributes constitute the ontological problems of democratic theory. Liberal democratic theory takes the abstract, selfish, atomized “rational man” as its ontological foundation, giving rise to insurmountable theoretical predicaments and practical drawbacks. The Marxist idea of peoples democracy scientifically defines “the real human being” on the basis of the processes of sociohistorical development, socioeconomic conditions, and future social forms; reveals the subject premise of democracy through human historicity; clarifies the essential content of democracy through human sociality; and manifests the ultimate goal of democracy through the association of free individuals—thereby achieving an ontological transcendence of liberal democratic theory. To develop wholeprocess peoples democracy, we must fully understand and grasp the scientific definition of “the human” as defined by the Marxist idea of peoples democracy, take “the emancipation of humanity” and “the allround development of the human being” as our core pursuits, fully embody the will of the people, safeguard the peoples rights and interests, stimulate the peoples creative vitality, and effectively mobilize the enthusiasm, initiative, and creativity of all the people in advancing Chinese modernization.

Key words: Marxism, democratic theory, people's democracy, human emancipation, ontology

摘要： 对人的界定是民主理论建构的逻辑起点，人的本质、人的存在形态、人的属性特征等构成了民主理论的本体论问题。自由主义民主理论以抽象的、自私的、原子化的“理性人”作为本体论基础，带来无法克服的理论困境和现实弊端。马克思主义人民民主思想基于社会历史发展过程、社会经济条件和未来社会形态对“现实的人”进行科学界定，以人的历史性揭示民主的主体前提、以人的社会性阐明民主的本质内容、以自由人的联合体彰显民主的目标旨归，实现了对自由主义民主理论的本体论超越。发展全过程人民民主，必须充分理解把握马克思主义人民民主思想对人的科学界定，将“实现人的解放”与“促进人的全面发展”作为核心追求，充分体现人民意志、保障人民权益、激发人民创造活力，有效调动全体人民投身中国式现代化建设的积极性主动性创造性。

关键词: 马克思主义, 民主理论, 人民民主, 人的解放, 本体论