Mode of Production

KARL MARX

Key Idea

• Marx identifies production as essential for human existence.

• Production is a social activity.• Co-operation is of importance

Divisions of Labor : Different People have different jobs.

Production has to be organized or ‘managed’. Different forms of production: “modes” of production=different type of society The system of class division is dependent on mode of

production. Society moves from stages to stages when the

dominant class is displaced by a new emerging class. Mode of production also determines all expressions

of “civilization”:Law,Philosophy,art, Religion etc.

• There is a distinction between means of production and the relations of production. the means of production

landNatural resourcesTechnology

Relations of productionThe social and technical relationships people enter intoAs they acquire and use the means of production.The comprised not only relations among individual, but

between among groups of people or classes.

The Social Superstructure

• Ways of thinking ,values, ideasForms of social consciousnessIdeologies

• Social InstitutionsReligionFamilyEducationMediaGovernment /the state

• Economic base shapes the social Superstructures.• The economic base is controlled by ruling class• Superstructure is also controlled by ruling class.• Social institutions serves ruling class interests

Type of mode of production

• Primitive CommunismPrimitive society, no classes, very low divisions of labor.All work together for common good.

• Ancient(slave) mode of productionAncient Greece and RomeAristocracy and slavesSlaves do most of work

• Feudal mode of production(feudalism)Medieval EuropeFeudal landlords and peasantsPeasants do all the work

• Capitalist mode of Production(capitalism)

Capitalists and workers (Bourgeoisie and proletariat)

• Socialism/CommunismNo classes:equality

The feudal mode of production

Economic Base Forces of production

Agricultural Production Relations of production

Landlords and peasants

The capitalist mode of productionWays of thinking==Capitalist Ideologies

Capitalism allows individual freedom, democracy, social mobility etc. this liberalism serve to conceal the exploitation which is at the core of society.

• Capitalism’s Economic Base force of production

• Industrialism Relations of productions

• Capitalist and proletarians.

Capitalism Today

Capitalism Economic Base• Forces of production

Post-Industrialism (service sector, computer &IT, stock markets)

• Relation of production Capitalists Managerial class Proletarians(include ‘white collar’ office workers,Mcworkers)

From capitalism to communism: Revolution

• The forces of production develop, this leads to a change in relations of production

• Capitalism riddled with contradictions• The proletariat come to know that they are exploited, they

organize themselves and overthrow the bourgeois class and the capitalist system in a revolution

A Communist Mode of ProductionEconomical Base• forces of production

Highly developed Machine doing a lots of work Humane working freely and creatively together

• Relation of production Classes abolished All work together in cooperation All contribute to society, everyone gets what they need

Ways of thinking: the end of ideologies, truth emerges

Thank you?