Comparing Marx's Superstructure And Substructure

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Karl Marx, a philosopher, critiqued capitalism as a system where the Proletarians are manipulated by the Bourgeois. With this theory the concept of Superstructure and Substructure arose. The substructure contains the means of production, the forces of production, and the relations of production; while the subculture contains the ideology and political and legal structure. According to Marx concept, the Bourgeois observe the substructure and based on their opinion the superstructure is affected in their favor for profit. Although this critique on capitalism was derived by Marx - Gramsci, Poulantzas, and Miliband contributed to his critique.
Gramsci, an Italian Marxist theoretician and politician, believed that the communist party was similar to the rule of Machiavelli in many ways. He claims the most important attribute is maintaining the ability to use any force as necessary but also appeal to the conviction and sympathy of the public. No party could have power unless they appealed to …show more content…

In contrast to Marx idea of capitalism, Poulantzas believed that these structures as individuals and are possible of operating on their own. With this, Poulantzas believed that these structures are capable of dominating each other since it’s a strife among different classes. He also claims that the state can nurture the growth and survival of a capitalist society solely by itself. With this idea he suggests that the state takes advantage of the competition within classes to ensure the maintenance of hegemony of the Bourgeois. He even go as far to say that the state pleases the Proletarians by take care of certain needs such as Medicare and Social Security in order to divert attention from the bigger issues of capitalism. However, there are other philosopher who disagree with this view, such as

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