superstructure
The cultural, political, legal, and ideological institutions of a society, built upon its economic base.
In Marxist theory, the 'base' consists of economic relations and means of production, while the 'superstructure' consists of culture, law, religion, and politics designed to justify the base.
Word relationships
- institution: 'Institution' refers to an individual social body, whereas 'superstructure' denotes the collective political and cultural layer of society.
- economic base: The economic base comprises resources and industrial means of production supporting the cultural superstructure.
Commonly confused with
- infrastructure: Infrastructure means physical networks like roads and power lines; superstructure in Marxist theory refers to cultural and legal institutions sitting atop economic relations.
Word family
- superstructural (adjective): Relating to the social or ideological superstructure.
Collocations
- ideological superstructure
- base and superstructure
- political superstructure
- cultural superstructure
Example sentences
- "Marx argued that the legal system is part of the superstructure that protects private property rights." Sociological examination of legal systems.
- "With the change of the economic foundation the entire immense superstructure is more or less rapidly transformed." Foundational text on economic determinism. (Karl Marx, A Contribution to the Critique of Political Economy (1859))
Memory hook
SUPER-STRUCTURE: Cultural institutions sitting SUPER (above) the economic foundation. Culture and law standing on top of economy.
When not to use
Do not use as a synonym for physical building structures outside of engineering contexts.
Fun facts
- Architecturally, a ship's superstructure refers to everything built above the main deck, including the bridge and cabin space.
Related words
Explore more words
ideological, ideology, infrastructure, redistribution, edifice, foundational
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