Marx defined the economic structure as objective conditions independent of human will

Evidence

Here, not only is material production and its relations the determining factor, but the “corresponding” social relations are given —definite, indispensable, and independent of men’s will: objective conditions of a social mode of production. These, under determinate conditions, constitute a stage . This—material mode, relations of production—is what is designated as “the economic structure.” It forms the base, the “real foundation.” From it arise the legal and political superstructures. And to this correspond theoretical productions and definite forms of social consciousness. — Hall, Stuart, Essential Essays, Volume 1, 486

Categorization

Category: Definitional Content

• DEFINE: Nails down the mature Marx definition of economic structure and its correlates that Hall will build his theory upon.

Related

• For Marx, economic relations are objective conditions independent of men’s will (similarity 0.93)
• Marx’s mature thought held that economic determinacy persisted but was conceived differently (similarity 0.87)
• Historical materialism requires retaining economic determination without economic reductionism (similarity 0.85)
• Marxist theory requires holding both relative autonomy and economic determinacy at once (similarity 0.84)
• Economic structures are necessary but not sufficient to explain political and ideological features (similarity 0.84)
• Marx held that social being, not consciousness, determines thought (similarity 0.83)
• Economic structure constrains but does not determine political and ideological levels. (similarity 0.83)
• Mature Marx employed structural rather than sequential causality (similarity 0.83)
• The core problem is reconciling economic determination with superstructural autonomy (similarity 0.82)
• Economic determinacy operates through overdetermination, not simple mechanical causation (similarity 0.82)
• Later Marx saw superstructures as relatively autonomous rather than mechanically determined (similarity 0.82)
• Marxism must hold determination in the last instance without falling into absolute autonomy (similarity 0.82)
• A society’s economic base determines its political and juridical superstructure. (similarity 0.82)
• Structuralism permits thinking structure apart from relations between people. (similarity 0.82)
• Marx reaffirmed economic determination was universal across all epochs including feudal and antique ones (similarity 0.81)

Broader Connections

• Mature Marx employed structural rather than sequential causality #expands (0.60) — Hall, Stuart, Essential Essays, Volume 1, 535
• Economic structures are necessary but not sufficient to explain political and ideological features #expands (0.60) — Hall, Stuart, Essential Essays, Volume 1, 621
• Marxism is not economic reductionism and requires attending to ideas in their own terms #complicates (0.50)
• Marxism must hold determination in the last instance without falling into absolute autonomy #expands (0.50)
• Marxism conceives society as overdetermined relatively autonomous levels, not a simple unity #expands (0.50)
• Marxist culture is the objectified human design on existence under definite conditions #expands (0.40) — Hall, Stuart, Essential Essays, Volume 1, 883