Basis and superstructure - what is it?

In terms of an antiscientific, idealistic understanding of history, certain forms of consciousness, ideas, religious or moral concepts, legal or political theories act as the basis of social life. The social structure, economic relations and the development of civilization as a whole are thus declared dependent on them. However, at a certain historical stage of this concept, another doctrine was opposed. Its founders are F. Engels and Karl Marx. в их концепции являлись ключевыми понятиями. The basis and superstructure in their concept were key concepts. Let's consider these categories in detail.

general characteristics

являются основными понятиями исторического материализма. The basis and superstructure of society are the basic concepts of historical materialism. At a certain stage of development, the corresponding economic structure is formed. It acts as a basis. At the same time, legal, political, religious, philosophical, artistic views and corresponding institutions are formed in the social sphere. They form the superstructure.

Specificity

Any basis defines a superstructure. Under feudalism there were views and institutions, under capitalism - their own, under socialism - corresponding to it. The basis and superstructure are in a certain connection. If the first one is liquidated or changed, the second one is corrected or disappears. Accordingly, if a new basis arises, the superstructure will appear after it.

The Importance of Historical Materialism

) стали ключевыми звеньями развития новой теоретической мысли. The basis and superstructure (according to Marx ) became the key links in the development of new theoretical thought. The concept of historical materialism is regarded as the greatest discovery. The essence of it is as follows.

– это те жизненно важные категории, без которых не может быть развития человечества. The basis and superstructure are those vital categories, without which there can be no development of mankind. They arise in a strict order. First of all, people should drink, eat, have shelter and clothing. And only then they can engage in art, politics, religion and other things. Creation of immediate material goods, acting as means of subsistence, and, accordingly, each stage of development of an era or people form the basis. And from it come state institutions, views, art, spiritual, religious ideas of people. And it is from the foundation that the rationale for the perception of the environment is based, and not vice versa.

Explanations

, рассмотрим процесс создания материальных благ. For a better understanding of what a basis and superstructure are , consider the process of creating material goods. It is the basis of the life activity of society. The tools of production and all the people who put them into effect possess certain experience, skills to work, and form productive forces. They, in turn, act only as one of the necessary aspects of life. Another aspect is the production relationship. Creating good, people establish certain ties with each other. The production process can only take place within the framework of these relations. Links constitute the economic structure of society - its real basis.

Forces and relationships form two indivisible and necessary aspects of the mode of production. He, in turn, acts as an embodiment of their unity in the course of creation of blessings. From the mode of production in a particular society, his ideology, views, and political institutions will largely depend. The prevailing method of creating goods corresponds to certain dominant theories, forms of consciousness.

The Social Revolution

The formed basis and the superstructure undergo certain changes. They are conditioned by the development of the social system, the improvement of the state system. When the productive forces change, so does the relationship between people. Sooner or later it will lead to the transformation of the entire social order. Marx said that at a certain stage of development, material forces come into conflict with production relations.

The last of the forms of development are transformed into fetters. In this situation, a social revolution begins. When the economic basis changes with this or that speed, a coup takes place in the entire superstructure. In its consideration, it is always necessary to differentiate the material aspect from political, legal, philosophical, religious and other ideological forms, within which people are aware of the emerging conflict and are fighting.

Conclusion

The superstructure formed on a certain basis begins to exert the opposite effect on it. The nature of this impact can be different. This will depend on the social essence of the basis and the superstructure itself. The latter, in particular, can have a sustained impact on the direction of a similar course of social development. Accordingly, it will contribute to the subsequent progress of the productive forces in society. Such a situation takes place in the socialist model.

The superstructure can also act as a slowing factor for the progress of the productive forces and, accordingly, delay the development of society. This situation develops in the capitalist model. In the conditions of socialism, as the adherents of materialism asserted, the progress of society is characterized by a systematic and conscious character. The life of the Soviet system was the policy of the Communist Party and the state. Their role and importance are extremely high. The communist education of the workers, the dissemination of scientific and political knowledge among the masses, act as a mighty force ensuring the building of communism.