Abstract: The dissipative structure theory emphasizes the laws of system evolution and operation such as system openness, dynamic
fluctuations, non-equilibrium states, and nonlinearity, which provides a comprehensive theoretical tool and methodology for the steady
progress of ideological and political education work and offers new perspectives and ideas for the high-quality development of
ideological and political education in universities. From this perspective, this article elaborately discusses the operating mechanism
and structural functions of the dissipative structure in ideological and political education. On this basis, the value implications and
functional manifestations of introducing the theory of dissipative structure into ideological and political education are put forward. With
the goal and original intention of promoting the innovative development of ideological and political education in universities, the
optimization path of the dissipative structure in ideological and political education is proposed.

Key words: dissipative structure, self-organization theory, ideological and political education, operating mechanism, structure