Frank
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The Economic Base At the heart of Marxist theory is the distinction between the economic base and the superstructure. The economic base, or the mode of production, consists of the means of production (e.g., factories, land, technology) and the relations of production (e.g., relationships between workers and capitalists). The base is fundamental because it determines the material conditions of society and shapes the superstructure.
The Superstructure
The superstructure includes the cultural, political, and ideological institutions that arise from the economic base. It encompasses the legal system, politics, religion, art, and other cultural forms. According to Marx, the superstructure serves to legitimize and perpetuate the economic base. For example, legal institutions protect private property rights, which are essential for the functioning of capitalism, while cultural forms like literature and art often reflect and reinforce the dominant ideology.
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