“人民”和“群众”并非同一概念,二者有着明显的区别。作为政治概念的人民,具有一定的阶级内容和历史内容,是国家的主人和统治者,是相对敌人而言的,它反映了一定社会的政治关系。群众,主要就是指普普通通的平民百姓,基本等同于公民、国民。当代的“群众”概念除了音同字同之外,更多继承的是传统语境下“民”的概念中的消极、被动、受治者的涵义,在权力结构中处于在下者地位的涵义。区分人民与群众、公民、国民等概念的不同,具有重要的意义。当前许多政治教材、著作未作区分,甚至将人民与群众连用或作为同一概念使用,是非常错误的,应予纠正。 “People ” and “masses ” are not the same concept, the two have obvious differences. As a political concept, the people have certain class content and historical content. They are the masters and rulers of the country and are relative to the enemy. They reflect the political relations in a certain society. The masses, mainly refers to ordinary civilians, basically the same as citizens, nationals. In addition to the same pronunciation and the same meaning, the concept of contemporary “masses” is inherited more from the negative, passive and controlled conceptions of “people ” in the traditional context. In the power structure, Meaning of status. The distinction between people and the masses, citizens, nationals and other concepts is of great significance. At present, many political textbooks and writings make no distinction, and even using the people in public or with the same as the same concept is very wrong and should be rectified.