Key Concepts in Marxist Socioeconomic Theory

Real Basis

The economic structure, or “base,” forms the foundation of society and explains other societal elements. This “real” structure shapes society, with other elements being derived consequences.

Capital

One of the three factors of modern bourgeois society. This structure comprises property, plant, or any facilities that produce goods for consumption. Capital is the element that allows for the bourgeoisie of the capitalist system. This system is characterized by the production of capital, not just profits.

Foreign Trade

The set of export-import transactions between countries involving manufactured products.

Conscience

The cohesive set of ideas, beliefs, values, myths, symbols, and representations held by individuals in a specific historical moment. It explains their place in society and its operation, ultimately justifying their way of life.

Material Conditions

The conditions that allow something to happen. For Marx, these triggers are ultimately socioeconomic. “Material conditions” can be equated to “economic conditions” or “social conditions.” This is the basic thesis of historical materialism, explaining the existence, disappearance, or change of any social reality based on the material conditions that make it possible.

Political Economy

A discipline that emerged in the 18th century to study the new socioeconomic and political realities of industrialized countries.

Era of Social Revolution

A period when the development of productive forces conflicts with existing relations of production. This era is characterized by the confrontation of new productive forces with the legal system that guarantees the dominant relations of production. Different social classes defend the new productive forces and the legal system.

State

A political institution with sovereignty, possessing a permanent population, a defined territory, and a government. For Marx, the state is the culmination of the legal and political superstructure of a society dominated by exploitative social relations. Through the state, economic dominance translates into political dominance, providing new means of exploitation.

General Evolution of Human Spirit

The certainty that humans have power over the sensible and external world. Everything sensible and external has value only because humans grant it. The only thing with real value is the human “I” that assigns values.

Economic Social Formation

The set of elements that make up a society in a specific historical moment. Any social formation includes: a complex economic structure comprising several relations of production, one of which is dominant; a complex ideological structure formed by different ideological trends, one of which is dominant; and a complex legal and political superstructure that allows the ruling class domination.

Forms of State

The state manages and plans civil economic relations. As one of the latest manifestations of the human spirit’s evolution in its attempt to realize its ideals, the state is one of the most complete expressions of reason. The state can be organized in different ways, resulting in different “forms” of state.

Certain Social Forms of Consciousness

Ideological forms, including political, legal, moral, religious, artistic, and philosophical ideas of society. These describe reality and humanity’s role in it. The ideological structure is composed of these social forms of consciousness, attitudes, and behavioral systems.

Productive Forces

The elements that enable work. They are formed by the labor force and means of work.

Material Productive Forces

The material elements involved in work: raw materials, labor, and means of production.

Material Interests

The economic interests defended by each class based on its role in the production process.

World Market

A market is a set of transactions, agreements, or exchanges of goods and services between buyers and sellers that occurs regularly and follows regulations. If trade is external, it constitutes the global market.

Mode of Production

Also known as infrastructure, a mode of production is a global structure with three characteristics: a) it is formed by the economic structure/infrastructure; b) some of these structures dominate the others; c) the economic structure is always determinate. Therefore, the four modes of production Marx lists are not real historical moments, but theoretical models to interpret these moments.

Prehistory of Human Society

The period of social formations dominated by antagonistic modes of production, where social relations are exploitative and society is divided into two antagonistic classes. Prehistoric society is a continuous succession of struggles generated by material contradictions, causing the fall of some modes of production and the dominance of others.

The Existence of Social Production

The process by which humans, through their labor power, produce to meet their needs. Human labor interacts with other humans and the means of production. Therefore, production’s existence is not individual but social.

Indeed, Social Reality

For Marx, the only reality is social reality. The physical or economic conditions in which humans live determine the other elements of society and the individual.

Relations of Production

The working relationships established between those involved in the work process and with the means of work. These relationships are: a) determined; b) necessary; c) independent of human will; d) correspond to the degree of development of material productive forces.

Property Relations

The set of laws and regulations that legally guarantee social relations of production. They are part of the legal structure. Social classes benefiting from these relations are the cause of such laws and regulations, maintaining ownership to guarantee their position.

Social Relations of Production

The working relationships established between those involved in production, depending on the type of ownership of the means of production.

Superstructures

The set of legal, political, and ideological elements of a society, determined by its economic structure.

Legal and Political Superstructure

The set of institutions, rules, and laws designed to regulate and control the functioning of society. It comprises the political and legal structures.