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The '''social formation''' is a foundational concept developed by French [[Marxist-Leninist]] philosopher [[Louis Althusser]], to explain the complex structure of society within the Marxist framework. It originated from Althusser's reinterpretation of the [[dialectics]] of [[political economy]], in which he analyzed society not as a simple [[Base and superstructure|base-superstructure model]], but instead as a complex, dynamic totality of interrelated structures<ref>[https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/althusser/1962/overdetermination.htm Althusser, "For Marx"; chapter 3, "Contradiction and Overdetermination"]</ref>.
The '''social formation''' is a term invented by the French [[Marxist-Leninist]] philosopher [[Louis Althusser]] in reference to the complex structure of society, which may be comprised of multiple [[Mode of production|modes of production]] and [[Ideological state apparatus|state apparatuses]] at any given stage in the [[class struggle]]. Specifically, during an ongoing [[revolution]] or [[Socialism|socialist transition]], there may be multiple conflicting modes of production, each with their respective repressive and ideological apparatuses, competing for dominance over the social formation.


Althusser introduced the concept of social formation in his essay "Contradiction and Overdetermination" in the 1962<ref>https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/althusser/1962/overdetermination.htm</ref> (which would later be incorporated in a larger work, "For Marx"), as a means of characterizing the complexity and diversity of social relations within a given society. The term is designed to move beyond the traditional Marxist theory of base and superstructure, introducing a more nuanced understanding of the interrelation and interplay of economic, political and ideological structures.
The term itself was used prior to Althusser, though this more detailed understanding originates from Althusser's essay "Contradiction and Overdetermination" in the 1962<ref>https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/althusser/1962/overdetermination.htm</ref>, as a means of capturing the full complexity of social relations within a given society. It is a core part of Althusser's reinterpretation of the [[dialectics]] of [[political economy]], in which he aimed to move past a more reductionist [[Base and superstructure|base-superstructure model]], instead viewing society as a complex, dialectical totality.<ref>[https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/althusser/1962/overdetermination.htm Althusser, "For Marx"; chapter 3, "Contradiction and Overdetermination"]</ref>


A <nowiki>'''social formation'''</nowiki> refers to the specific combination of [[Mode of production|modes of production]] and the various 'superstructures' (legal, political and ideological instances) within a particular society. Rather than viewing these components in a unidirectional causal relationship – with the economic base always determining the superstructure – Althusser posits that these components exist in a complex interaction of 'relative autonomy', wherein each can influence the other (albeit with the base being "dominant in the final instance"<ref>[https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/althusser/1963/unevenness.htm Part Six. On the Materialist Dialectic, On the Unevenness of Origins]</ref>).
The social formation includes [[Ideological state apparatus|ideological state apparatuses]], [[Repressive state apparatus|repressive state apparatuses]], and different [[Mode of production|modes]] and [[relations of production]]. The social formation is a specific combination of all of those things, existing within a particular society at a particulal point in time. Rather than viewing these components in an absolute unidirectional relationship – with the economic base always determining the superstructure – Althusser posits that superstructural components in a social formation can have 'relative autonomy' i.e., both superstructure and base influence the other (although the base remains "dominant in the final instance"<ref>[https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/althusser/1963/unevenness.htm Part Six. On the Materialist Dialectic, On the Unevenness of Origins]</ref>).  


== See also ==
* [[Mode of production]]
* [[Base and superstructure]]
* [[Louis Althusser]]
== References ==
[[Category:Marxist terminology]]
[[Category:Marxist terminology]]
[[Category:Marxist theory]]
[[Category:Marxist theory]]
[[Category:Dialectical materialism]]
[[Category:Dialectical materialism]]
<references />
<references />

Latest revision as of 01:33, 29 October 2023

The social formation is a term invented by the French Marxist-Leninist philosopher Louis Althusser in reference to the complex structure of society, which may be comprised of multiple modes of production and state apparatuses at any given stage in the class struggle. Specifically, during an ongoing revolution or socialist transition, there may be multiple conflicting modes of production, each with their respective repressive and ideological apparatuses, competing for dominance over the social formation.

The term itself was used prior to Althusser, though this more detailed understanding originates from Althusser's essay "Contradiction and Overdetermination" in the 1962[1], as a means of capturing the full complexity of social relations within a given society. It is a core part of Althusser's reinterpretation of the dialectics of political economy, in which he aimed to move past a more reductionist base-superstructure model, instead viewing society as a complex, dialectical totality.[2]

The social formation includes ideological state apparatuses, repressive state apparatuses, and different modes and relations of production. The social formation is a specific combination of all of those things, existing within a particular society at a particulal point in time. Rather than viewing these components in an absolute unidirectional relationship – with the economic base always determining the superstructure – Althusser posits that superstructural components in a social formation can have 'relative autonomy' i.e., both superstructure and base influence the other (although the base remains "dominant in the final instance"[3]).

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]