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Marxian Theory

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The substructure and the superstructure according to Kerbo, are what Marx labels the key in Marxian theory (Kerbo 93). “Marx believed that to understand human societies the theorist must begin with the material conditions of human subsistence, or the economics of producing the necessities of life.” (Kerbo, 93) We sell our labor to purchase the necessities we need to survive such as; food, clothing and shelter, we as humans are producers. The superstructure is our institutions such as, schools, church, family, laws and even our government. The substructure according to lecture is the economic and material base. The mode (manner) of production. Nature of human society depends on the material conditions determining production. (02/20/14) Marx believes the substructure shapes the superstructure, therefore, change in the substructure leads to social change (95). The substructure which includes the workers selling their labor for means of production in large factories owned by the bourgeoisie, the owners of the factories can increase the dollar amount in which their items are sold but they continue to pay their workers the same dollar amount. In Marx’s writings he talks about major types of societies; five are given primary attention. Each of these societies is characterized by a particular substructure. In primitive communism, if property exists it is held collectively and production is achieved collectively, few inequalities of power and material goods. Ancient society is based on slave labor, the mode of production is the slave performing the labor but only receiving enough to stay alive. In Feudalism the most important is land, serfs working the land and turning over the surplus to landowners. Now, the capitalist society which is based on a new substructure is primarily industrial, production is characterized by private ownership of the major means of production.

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