Historical Materialism and Marx’s Political-Economic Theory
Historical Materialism
Historical Materialism is a theory that analyzes historical facts and produces generalizations. It’s empirical and aims to explain societal change and stability. This theory posits that an individual’s consciousness is not solely self-determined, but rather a product of their socio-economic conditions.
Historical materialism identifies different modes of production that have driven civilization’s progress. A mode of production describes how humans obtain necessities for survival. While Marx didn’t establish a definitive classification, some key examples include:
- Asiatic Mode of Production: Based on state-owned land as the primary source of wealth.
- Slave Mode of Production: Exemplified by Ancient Greece and Rome, characterized by private property and distinct classes of citizens and slaves.
- Feudal Mode of Production: Land ownership concentrated in the hands of large landowners, with serfs (theoretically free) working the land.
- Capitalist Mode of Production: Emerged from the development of trade and industry, marked by a class division between the bourgeoisie (owners of capital) and the proletariat (working class).
Every mode of production generates wealth and a corresponding superstructure. The economic base comprises productive forces (resources, technology, labor) and relations of production (relationships between people based on their roles in production). These relations, stemming from the division of labor and class distinctions, are inherently contradictory and prone to conflict.
Superstructure and Infrastructure
The superstructure encompasses our collective thoughts and beliefs, including religion, morality, philosophy, and art. It’s dependent on the infrastructure (productive forces and relations of production). Changes in the superstructure are ultimately driven by changes in the infrastructure.
Dominant classes, controlling the means of production, also wield influence over the superstructure, shaping societal consciousness. Marx argued that this often leads to a ‘false consciousness’ among the working class, obscuring their true position within the system.
Class Struggle as the Engine of History
Marx identified class struggle as the driving force of history. Two key factors contribute to this struggle:
- Discrepancy between Productive Forces and Relations of Production: Technological advancements can disrupt the existing balance, leading to contradictions.
- Group Conflict: This discrepancy fuels confrontation between different social groups.
Marx envisioned history as progressing towards a stage where humanity would control its own destiny.
The Political and Economic Theory in Marx
Marx’s political and economic theories can be viewed from two perspectives:
- Politics as part of the Superstructure: Politics is seen as a reflection of the underlying economic base.
- Politics as a Means for Revolution and Social Change: Politics can be used to challenge and transform the existing order.
Key characteristics of Marx’s political-economic theory include:
- Enslavement to the Machine and Productive Forces: Workers become alienated from their labor and subject to the demands of production.
- Social Division and Dualization: Society is increasingly divided into two opposing classes: the bourgeoisie and the proletariat.
Exploitation and Capital Gain
The relationship between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat is characterized by exploitation. Capital gain, the profit derived from the sale of goods produced by workers, is the mechanism of this exploitation.
Use Value and Exchange Value
Marx distinguished between use value (an object’s ability to satisfy a need) and exchange value (its market price). He argued that there’s often a disconnect between these two values.
Labor as a Commodity
Under capitalism, labor itself becomes a commodity with an exchange value determined by market forces. Workers, lacking ownership of the means of production, are compelled to sell their labor to survive.
Capital and Cyclical Crises
Capitalism, driven by the endless pursuit of profit, is inherently prone to cyclical crises. These crises, stemming from overproduction and underconsumption, ultimately contribute to capitalism’s self-destruction.
The Role of the Proletariat
Marx believed that the proletariat, the class created by capitalism, would ultimately overthrow it. This would occur through a revolution sparked by the proletariat’s growing awareness of their exploitation.
The Path to Socialism
While Marx envisioned the eventual establishment of a socialist society, he provided limited details about its specific workings. He emphasized the abolition of private property and class distinctions as key features of this future society.
Footnotes
1 The lack of correspondence between the productive forces and production relations, as they have to stop being right between each other. What is deprivation is technology. 2 The lack of correspondence leads to a confrontation between groups. Conception of history as progress goes to a new stage in which man was the master of his own destiny.
2 Assuming the disappearance of private property and social classes, because if there is no first nor is there a second.