Introduction

Abstract

In this book I shall suggest that there is a way of resolving, fairly simply and straightforwardly, the problematic relationship between the economic base and the superstructures of capitalist society. I shall begin this Introduction by briefly outlining the ‘reductionist’ and ‘autonomist’ positions, of whether the superstructures are to be ‘reduced’ to the economic base, or whether they are ‘autonomous’ of that base. I shall suggest that it is possible to resolve at least some of the differences between these positions by considering in more detail the social relations characteristic of the economy, of the state and of civil society. These distinctions will provide the basis of my claim that the concept of civil society enables us to theorise more satisfactorily those relationships which exist between the entities customarily designated by the terms ‘base’ and ‘superstructure’.