Class:
Classes are social groups
in different economic positions associated with certain relations of
production. Class is a historical category, economic category. Class is
associated with a certain historical stage of production development. The
criterion for classifying classes is the economic status defined by the
relations of production, especially the ownership of the means of production. The
essence of class opposition lies in the fact that one
group, because of its possession of the means of production, occupies a
dominant position in production and exploits another group if it can occupy the
labor of another group. In class society, in addition to the two opposing
classes which constitute the principal contradiction in the society, there are
also some non-basic classes or groups. The social class structure and its
changes reflect the changes of the development level of productive forces and
the relations of production.
The relationship of production must be suitable for the law of the
state of productivity
The law of the state of productive forces is the most basic and
universal law for the development of human society, which includes three
aspects: the productive forces determine the relations of production, the
relations of production react on the productive forces, and the basic process
and trend of the contradictory movement of the mode of production.
(1) Productivity
determines relations of production. The relations of production depend on the
forces of production. Relations of production must be based on certain
productive forces.
(2) Relations of
production react on productive forces. Relations of production suit the
productive forces and promote their development; On the contrary, hinder the
development of productivity.
(3) The interaction
between the productive forces and the relations of production constitutes the
contradictory movement of the mode of production. When a new relationship of
production is established, it is generally suited to the state of productivity.
With the development of the productive forces, the relations of production gradually
become incompatible with the development of the productive forces, and then
restrict the development of the productive forces. The further development of
productive forces requires new relations of production to replace the old ones.
With the change of production relations, the superstructure of the whole
society also changes.
Economic foundation and
superstructure
Society is like an
edifice composed of foundations and superstructures. The sum total of
production relations in the society constitutes the economic foundation, while
the social ideology and the corresponding political and legal system based on
the economic foundation constitute the superstructure. The superstructure is
divided into the ideological superstructure and the political superstructure.
They interact with each other and are determined by the foundation. The
contradiction between economic foundation and superstructure is another basic
contradiction in society. The rule that superstructure fits the economic
foundation is the basic law of social development. The basic content of this
one law is that economic foundation and superstructure restrict each other and
interact with each other.
Social ideology
Social ideology is a part
of the superstructure, that is, the superstructure that is most closely related
to the economic basis of social consciousness, also known as the ideological
superstructure, which mainly includes political and legal thoughts, religion,
morality, art, philosophy and most social sciences. It reflects and serves the
economic base and has the class nature in the class society. Social ideology is
a kind of value concept in essence, and class nature is a special manifestation
of the subjectivity of value concept.
