Base and Superstructure: Etymology, Concepts and Relationship
- Etymology: The terms “base” (German: “Basis”) and “superstructure” (German: “Überbau”) originate from the German language. “Base” is derived from “Basis,” signifying the foundational aspect, and “superstructure” from “Überbau,” indicating the overlying structure. These terms were adopted by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels in their sociopolitical analysis.
- Concepts: In Marxist theory, the base encompasses the economic foundation of society, including the means of production, relations of production, and the prevailing economic system. It comprises the forces of production (technology, labor, resources) and the social relations of production (class relations, ownership), influencing all aspects of society. The superstructure encompasses cultural, political, legal, and ideological elements, including institutions, beliefs, values, and the state apparatus. It is shaped by and reflects the economic base, maintaining the interests of the ruling class and the existing social order.
- Relationship: The central tenet in Marxist theory is the causal relationship between the base and superstructure. The economic base fundamentally determines the character of the superstructure. Economic systems and class relations within a society play a decisive role in shaping cultural, political, and ideological aspects. Changes in the base, such as shifts in production modes or class structures, lead to corresponding transformations in the superstructure. This interconnectedness forms the foundation for understanding how socioeconomic structures influence broader social, political, and cultural dynamics.
Base and Superstructure: Meanings of Concepts
| Concept | Description |
| Base | – Economic Foundation: The base in Marxist theory refers to the economic and material foundation of a society. |
| – Means of Production: It encompasses the means of production, including technology, resources, and labor. | |
| – Relations of Production: This concept includes the relations of production, which involve class relations and ownership. | |
| – Driving Force: The base serves as the primary driving force shaping and influencing other aspects of society. | |
| Superstructure | – Cultural and Ideological Aspects: The superstructure comprises the cultural, political, legal, and ideological elements of society. |
| – Institutions and Values: It includes institutions, beliefs, values, and the state apparatus. | |
| – Determined by the Base: The superstructure is influenced and determined by the economic base. | |
| – Reflects Ruling Class Interests: It reflects and supports the interests of the ruling class and maintains the existing social order. |
Base and Superstructure: Definition as Theoretical Terms
Base and Superstructure are fundamental theoretical terms within Marxist analysis, collectively portraying the intricate relationship between the economic foundation and the cultural, political, and ideological dimensions of a society.
The Base represents the material and economic underpinnings, encompassing elements like the means of production and social class relations, functioning as the primary driver shaping a society’s dynamics.
In contrast, the Superstructure comprises non-economic aspects, including culture, politics, and ideology, which are profoundly influenced and molded by the underlying economic Base. It serves to reflect and perpetuate the interests of the ruling class, thus upholding and reinforcing the prevailing social order.
These terms provide a framework for understanding how economic structures profoundly impact and are interconnected with broader sociopolitical and cultural dynamics within a given society.
Base and Superstructure: Theorists, Works and Arguments
Theorists:
- Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels: The concept of Base and Superstructure is primarily associated with the works of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, who developed these ideas in their collaborative writings, most notably in “The German Ideology.”
Key Works:
- The German Ideology: This work serves as a foundational text for the development of the Base and Superstructure concept in Marxist theory, emphasizing the role of the economic base in shaping the superstructure of society.
Arguments:
- Marx and Engels argue that the economic base, including the means of production and class relations, plays a central and determinative role in influencing and structuring the superstructure of society.
- The superstructure encompasses cultural, political, and ideological elements and is heavily influenced by the underlying economic base. It reflects and perpetuates the interests of the ruling class, thereby upholding the prevailing social order.
Later Theorists:
- Louis Althusser: Althusser, in works like Ideology and Ideological State Apparatuses extended and refined these concepts by introducing the notion of Ideological State Apparatuses (ISAs), which are institutions like education and media that contribute to maintaining the dominance of the ruling class. Althusser’s contributions expanded the understanding of how the superstructure functions in a broader societal context.
These concepts have had a profound and enduring influence in critical social and political analysis, providing a framework for examining how economic systems and class relations impact and shape broader societal structures, cultural norms, and power dynamics, with continued relevance in contemporary contexts.
Base and Superstructure and Literary Theories
| Theory | Application |
| Marxist Literary Theory | Analyzes how a society’s economic structure (the base) influences and shapes the cultural and ideological aspects of that society (the superstructure). Literature reflects and reinforces the dominant ideology and class relations of a given society. Economic conditions influence the themes, narratives, and representations in literature. |
| Structuralism and Semiotics | Examines the deep structure (base) and surface structure (superstructure) of texts, emphasizing that the superstructure (the text) is constructed based on a deeper system of language and meaning (the base). Focuses on uncovering underlying binary oppositions and codes that inform the surface level of the text. |
| Postcolonial Theory | Examines the relationship between the base (colonial and imperial power structures) and the superstructure (literature and cultural production) in postcolonial societies. Analyzes how colonialism and its legacy influence literary representations and the cultural identity of colonized or formerly colonized peoples. |
| Feminist Literary Theory | Explores how gender roles and patriarchal power structures (the base) influence the portrayal of women and gender dynamics in literature (the superstructure). Examines how literature reflects and reinforces societal norms related to gender and how it can be a site for resistance and subversion. |
| Cultural Studies | Considers the interplay between the base (economic, political, and social structures) and the superstructure (culture, including literature) in the context of broader cultural phenomena. Explores how cultural texts, including literature, both reflect and contribute to the shaping of a society’s values, beliefs, and power dynamics. |
Base and Superstructure: Application in Criticism
| Novel | Analysis |
| Great Expectations by Charles Dickens | Base Analysis: In Great Expectations, the base is the Victorian-era class system and the socio-economic disparities prevalent during that time. Social class and wealth are central to the characters’ lives and relationships. Superstructure Analysis: The superstructure includes the character of Pip and his aspirations to rise in social class, the intricate web of relationships, and themes of ambition, identity, and societal expectations. The novel critiques the influence of social class on individual aspirations, the shallowness of material success, and the complexities of personal growth within a rigid class structure. It underscores how the base (Victorian class structure) shapes Pip’s journey and the moral lessons he learns. |
| The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald | Base Analysis: In The Great Gatsby, the base is the economic and social structure of the Roaring Twenties in America, marked by opulence, excess, and social stratification. Superstructure Analysis: The superstructure includes the extravagant parties, materialism, and themes of unattainable dreams, moral decay, and societal disillusionment. The novel critiques the American Dream and the moral emptiness of the upper class during the Jazz Age. It illustrates how the base (economic conditions) influences the characters’ pursuits, obsessions, and moral choices, ultimately leading to their downfall. |
| Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe | Base Analysis: In Things Fall Apart, the base is the colonial and imperial power structures of Nigeria during the late 19th century, as British colonialism impacts the Igbo society. Superstructure Analysis: The superstructure includes the protagonist Okonkwo’s tragic story, cultural clashes, and themes of identity, tradition, and change. The novel critiques the devastating effects of colonialism on indigenous cultures, the disintegration of traditional values, and the clash between the base (colonial power) and the superstructure (Igbo culture). |
| The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood | Base Analysis: In The Handmaid’s Tale, the base is a dystopian society characterized by a theocratic regime that suppresses women’s rights and enforces strict social control. Superstructure Analysis: The superstructure includes the protagonist Offred’s experiences, the Gilead regime’s oppressive rules, and themes of gender, power, and resistance. The novel critiques the dangers of a patriarchal and authoritarian society, highlighting the extreme consequences of the base (totalitarian government) on individual freedoms and the struggle for autonomy. |
Base and Superstructure: Suggested Readings
- Eagleton, Terry. Marxism and Literary Criticism. Routledge, 2002.
- Jameson, Fredric. The Political Unconscious: Narrative as a Socially Symbolic Act. Cornell University Press, 1981.
- Lukács, Georg. History and Class Consciousness: Studies in Marxist Dialectics. The MIT Press, 1971.
- Marx, Karl, and Friedrich Engels. The Communist Manifesto. Penguin Classics, 2002.