Question

"No social order ever perishes before all the productive forces for which there is room in it have developed; and new, higher relations of production never appear before the material conditions of their existence have matured in the womb of the old society itself. Therefore mankind always sets itself only such tasks as it can solve; since, looking at the matter more closely, it will always be found that the task itself arises only when the material conditions for its solution already exist or are at least in the process of formation."

Answer 1

The passage given delves into the Marxist theory of societal development where no social order changes until it has fully utilized its productive forces, and new systems of production don't emerge until the material conditions allow. It underlines Marx's materialist conception of history and the eventual shift towards communism once capitalism has exhausted its potential and created the conditions for its own supersession.

Step-by-step explanation:

The passage provided for analysis reflects the Marxist perspective on social development, primarily focused on the sociopolitical and economic transformations experienced by a society. According to Karl Marx, no social order ever perishes before its productive forces are fully developed, and new relations of production arise only when the material conditions for their emergence are ready within the existing society. This highlights the materialist conception of history, where changes in the economic base lead to transformations in the social superstructure.

Marx's examination of productive forces and relations in society demonstrates his belief that each societal phase must exhaust its potential before transitioning to the next, and that a society will only set tasks for which the material conditions have matured. This evolutionary view sees societal changes as products of economic developments, with capitalism leading to its own demise and the eventual rise of communism. Furthermore, larger societal structures, such as the state and legal systems, are seen to evolve to support the type of economy predominant at any given time.

The ideology that material conditions must be ripe before a new social order can be established closely ties with Marx's vision of a communist society, where the division of labor has disappeared and work becomes not merely a necessity but a fundamental aspect of life. This future society is said to transcend the limitations of bourgeois right, flourishing on the cooperative production of wealth.