Basic Assumptions of Historical Materialism and Marx's Theory

Basic Assumptions of Historical Materialism

Historical materialism is a sociological theory of human progress that provides a scientific and systematic research program for empirical investigations. It also contains a revolutionary program of intervention into society. The relationship between the scientific and revolutionary aspects of historical materialism has been a subject of debate among Marxist sociologists. This article will focus primarily on the scientific aspect of historical materialism, discussing Marx’s views on human society and human nature.

Society as an Interrelated Whole:

Marx views human society as an interrelated whole, where social groups, institutions, beliefs, and doctrines are integrally related. He emphasizes studying their interrelations rather than treating them separately or in isolation. Marx argues that aspects such as history, politics, law, religion, and education cannot be treated as separate spheres, as they are interconnected and influence each other.

Changeable Nature of Society:

Marx sees society as inherently mutable, with changes being produced largely by internal contradictions and conflicts. He believes that these changes, if observed in a large number of instances, show a sufficient degree of regularity to allow the formulation of general statements about their causes and consequences. This assumption highlights the dynamic nature of human society and the importance of understanding the underlying contradictions and conflicts that drive social change.

Human Nature and Social Relationships:

A crucial assumption underlying historical materialism is the concept of human nature. Marx argues that human nature is not permanently fixed but is rather potential. It is neither originally evil nor originally good. Human nature is what human beings make history with, and at the same time, it is shaped by the historical context in which they live. Marx believes that human nature is potentially revolutionary, meaning that individuals possess the power to rebel against the prevailing limitations imposed by society.

Marx rejects the idea that people solely produce out of material greed or the desire to accumulate wealth. Instead, he argues that the act of producing the essentials of life engages individuals in social relationships that may be independent of their will. Throughout most of human history, these relationships have been characterized by class divisions, leading to class struggle. Marx sees class struggle as a central driver of social change.

Marx’s Theory of Historical Materialism

Marx’s theory of historical materialism is centered around his interpretation of capitalist society. He argues that capitalist society is inherently contradictory and antagonistic. In order to understand this theory, we must first examine Marx’s views on the economic structure of society and its relation to the legal and political superstructure.

The Economic Structure and Relations of Production

According to Marx, the economic structure of society is comprised of its relations of production. These relations of production reflect the society’s stage of development in terms of its means of production. The legal and political superstructure of society is based on these relations of production. It is important to note that these terms, such as relations of production and means of production, carry special connotations in Marxist thought, which will be further explored in subsequent units.

Historical Materialism and the Course of History

Marx’s theory of historical materialism posits that the process of socio-political and intellectual life is conditioned by the mode of production of material life. In other words, the development of productive forces in society comes into conflict with existing relations of production. This conflict leads to a period of social revolution, during which new forces of production emerge and give rise to new relations of production. Thus, Marx argues that the growth of new productive forces outlines the course of human history. This is why his theory is called historical materialism.

Continuous Change and Dialectics

Marx’s theory of historical materialism asserts that all objects, living or inanimate, are subject to continuous change. The rate of this change is determined by the laws of dialectics, which involve the interaction of opposing forces. Marx identifies these forces as the antithesis and synthesis. The antithesis represents the stage of conflict, while the synthesis represents the resolution of this conflict. This dialectical relationship between opposing forces shapes social change.

Infrastructure and Superstructure

Marx introduces the concepts of infrastructure and superstructure to further explain his theory. The infrastructure of society is defined by its material conditions, particularly its economic base. Any changes in material conditions also lead to corresponding changes in social relations. The forces and relations of production are part of the infrastructure. On the other hand, the superstructure encompasses the legal, educational, and political institutions, as well as cultural values and ideologies.

Forces and Relations of Production

Marx defines the forces of production as the capacity of a society to produce, which is influenced by scientific and technical knowledge, technological equipment, and the organization of labor. The relations of production, on the other hand, arise from the production process and are closely tied to the ownership of means of production. It is important to note that relations of production should not be equated solely with relations of property. Marx also acknowledges that society undergoes transformations from one stage to another, and these transformations are driven by changes in the forces and relations of production.

Social Change and Class Struggles

Marx emphasizes the significance of the infrastructure of society by tracing the formation of social classes and the occurrence of social change through class struggles. He argues that social change follows a regular pattern, with societies progressing from primitive communism to modern capitalism. Marx explains these historical transformations in terms of infrastructural changes that are constant and general in their operation. Each period of contradiction between the forces and relations of production is seen as a period of revolution.

The Dialectical Relationship and Revolution

Marx sees revolutions as necessary manifestations of the historical progress of societies. They occur when the conditions for change have matured. Marx argues that no social order disappears until all the productive forces for which there is room in it have been developed. Revolutions mark the transition from one stage of society to another. For example, the French Revolution occurred when capitalist relations of production reached maturity in Europe, leading to the development of new relations of production.

Social Reality and Consciousness

Marx distinguishes between social reality and consciousness. He argues that reality is not determined by human consciousness, but rather, social reality determines human consciousness. This means that the ways of human thinking must be explained in terms of the social relations in which individuals are embedded.

Modes of Production

Marx also introduces the concept of modes of production, which are stages of human history. He identifies four modes of production: Asiatic, Ancient, Feudal, and Capitalist. The history of the West, according to Marx, encompasses the ancient, feudal, and capitalist modes of production, each characterized by distinct forms of exploitation. The Asiatic mode of production, although not part of Western history, is distinguished by the subordination of all people to the state or state bureaucracy.

Summary

Marx’s theory of historical materialism provides a framework for understanding the dynamics of society and the course of human history. It emphasizes the importance of the economic structure and its relation to the superstructure, as well as the dialectical relationship between the forces and relations of production. This theory also highlights the role of class struggles and revolutions in driving social change. It is important to note that historical materialism should not be reduced to economic determinism, as it encompasses a broader understanding of social relations and consciousness.