A change in society takes place through the dialectical process of the productive force and the relation of production. In this way dynamism comes in history. The constant progression of the productive force forms the base of the relation of production and various social components such as Constitution, political system, ideology, culture and various ideas are formed from base. These are called Superstructure According to Marxist terminology. The relation between base and Super Structure ne is one of the Subject-matters of base and historical materialism.
The superstructure is determined by the economic basis that is the relation of production of the society. In the first stage, the productive force determines the relation of production. In the second stage, the relation of production i’e economic basis of the society, determines the character of the superstructure. From this it is clear that the superstructure and the relation of production are directly related. But the superstructure and the productive force are not directly related. Engels say’s in connection with the relation of the superstructure and economic basis of the society that the economic basis of the society is the base. From This originate various ingredients of the superstructure in different stages of history. These ingredients are political and constitutional institutions, religions and philosophical ideas etc. The economic basis which makes the relation of production in a society is the main principle to interpret the superstructure and the productive force controls the relation of production the relation between the superstructure and The productive force is merely indirect. As the relation of production bridges the superstructure and the productive force the productive force cannot directly influence the super-structure. From this we may come to the conclusion:-First: The change in the relation & production which creates the class relation brings about a change in superstructure.
That is why it is said that various ingredients of the superstructure- various ideas of society, ideology, literature, art, politics, constitution, are the reflection of the class-relations in society. So, the dialectics of the relation of production in the society are reflected in the various stages of the superstructure. As an example, it may be stated that the contradiction between labour and capital in capitalism are reflected in the literature, art and culture of the Capitalist Society. Capitalism creates contradictory ideology of dialectical character. Hence it is found that opinions are formed in favour of capitalism on the one hand and anti-capitalist, opinions are formed on the other in the same capitalist society. For example, the contradictions in the dialectics of capitalism are reflected in the works of Wordsworth who at first welcomed the French Revolution and then later opposed it.
Secondly, as the productive force doesn’t directly influence the superstructure proportional change does not take place in the superstructure due to the change in productive force. The reason is that the productive force is neutral in class-character as the development of the productive force is directly related with the development of technology. As a result it is seen that the productive force being at the same stage the superstructure in two different societies differs due to the difference in the character of the relation of production.
Thirdly, the economic structure is indifferent of human will. The development of productive force which takes place for the sake of socio-historical necessity a man lays the foundation of the new relation of production on the ruins of the old one. But the different ingredients of the superstructure are not determined mechanically by the economic basis of the society. Marx is of the opinion that man consciously expresses the various ingredients of superstructure trough different forms for the sake of his own necessity although the economic structure of the society subjectwise determines the category of the superstructure.
Fourthly, as in every society the superstructure is determined by its corresponding economic basis. It undergoes no change until the old economic basis remains unchanged the unchanged. At the destruction of the old economic basis and in the process of forming the new one a new superstructure develops. That is why aristocratic culture is not found in a socialist society universal franchise is not granted in feudalism.
It is clear from the relation between base and superstructure that the ingredients of the superstructure do not appear all on a sudden or do not come out from the will of a greatman or some supernatural cause. The economic basis of the society, which determines the class relations in that society determines the superstructure In other words, base and superstructure are related from the viewpoint of class. It is natural to think That the base controls the superstructure singly. It. means that the origin and development of the superstructure are wholly dependent on economic-basis of the society. The superstructure has no separate existence. The relation between base and Superstructure is mechanically controlled. Historical materialism lays stress on the concept that the superstructure is influenced by the economic basis of the society.
The superstructure is determined by the economic basis that is the relation of production of the society. In the first stage, the productive force determines the relation of production. In the second stage, the relation of production i’e economic basis of the society, determines the character of the superstructure. From this it is clear that the superstructure and the relation of production are directly related. But the superstructure and the productive force are not directly related. Engels say’s in connection with the relation of the superstructure and economic basis of the society that the economic basis of the society is the base. From This originate various ingredients of the superstructure in different stages of history. These ingredients are political and constitutional institutions, religions and philosophical ideas etc. The economic basis which makes the relation of production in a society is the main principle to interpret the superstructure and the productive force controls the relation of production the relation between the superstructure and The productive force is merely indirect. As the relation of production bridges the superstructure and the productive force the productive force cannot directly influence the super-structure. From this we may come to the conclusion:-First: The change in the relation & production which creates the class relation brings about a change in superstructure.
That is why it is said that various ingredients of the superstructure- various ideas of society, ideology, literature, art, politics, constitution, are the reflection of the class-relations in society. So, the dialectics of the relation of production in the society are reflected in the various stages of the superstructure. As an example, it may be stated that the contradiction between labour and capital in capitalism are reflected in the literature, art and culture of the Capitalist Society. Capitalism creates contradictory ideology of dialectical character. Hence it is found that opinions are formed in favour of capitalism on the one hand and anti-capitalist, opinions are formed on the other in the same capitalist society. For example, the contradictions in the dialectics of capitalism are reflected in the works of Wordsworth who at first welcomed the French Revolution and then later opposed it.
Secondly, as the productive force doesn’t directly influence the superstructure proportional change does not take place in the superstructure due to the change in productive force. The reason is that the productive force is neutral in class-character as the development of the productive force is directly related with the development of technology. As a result it is seen that the productive force being at the same stage the superstructure in two different societies differs due to the difference in the character of the relation of production.
Thirdly, the economic structure is indifferent of human will. The development of productive force which takes place for the sake of socio-historical necessity a man lays the foundation of the new relation of production on the ruins of the old one. But the different ingredients of the superstructure are not determined mechanically by the economic basis of the society. Marx is of the opinion that man consciously expresses the various ingredients of superstructure trough different forms for the sake of his own necessity although the economic structure of the society subjectwise determines the category of the superstructure.
Fourthly, as in every society the superstructure is determined by its corresponding economic basis. It undergoes no change until the old economic basis remains unchanged the unchanged. At the destruction of the old economic basis and in the process of forming the new one a new superstructure develops. That is why aristocratic culture is not found in a socialist society universal franchise is not granted in feudalism.
It is clear from the relation between base and superstructure that the ingredients of the superstructure do not appear all on a sudden or do not come out from the will of a greatman or some supernatural cause. The economic basis of the society, which determines the class relations in that society determines the superstructure In other words, base and superstructure are related from the viewpoint of class. It is natural to think That the base controls the superstructure singly. It. means that the origin and development of the superstructure are wholly dependent on economic-basis of the society. The superstructure has no separate existence. The relation between base and Superstructure is mechanically controlled. Historical materialism lays stress on the concept that the superstructure is influenced by the economic basis of the society.
