Economic Formation of Society Quiz

Questions and Answers

What happens when the material forces of production come into conflict with the existing relations of production?

A period of social revolution begins (correct)

A period of stability is established

New relations of production immediately appear

Economic conditions remain unchanged

The consciousness of a period of transformation can be judged solely by its own perspectives.

False

What are the epochs in the progress of the economic formation of society?

Asiatic, ancient, feudal, and modern bourgeois methods of production.

No social order ever disappears before all the productive forces for which there is room in it have been ______.

developed Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the bourgeois relations of production?

They are the last antagonistic form of the social process. Signup and view all the answers

The Industrial Revolution began in ______.

England Signup and view all the answers

Before the Industrial Revolution, landowners had dominated the old era, and they gradually lost power to a new class of ______.

business people Signup and view all the answers

What was the typical workday during the early years of industrialization in England?

12 hours Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of children under age 5 died of disease and malnutrition in English industrial cities?

25 percent Signup and view all the answers

As capitalists gained more political power, what did the English Parliament do regarding worker protection laws?

repealed them Signup and view all the answers

What economic ideas did capitalists point to in support of their vision of freedom?

those of Adam Smith Signup and view all the answers

Who wrote 'Wealth of Nations'?

Adam Smith Signup and view all the answers

What did Adam Smith call for regarding capitalists?

freedom to operate their businesses with little interference Signup and view all the answers

In what year did Karl Marx come to live in England?

at the peak of its Industrial Revolution Signup and view all the answers

Where was Karl Marx born?

in 1818 in a part of Germany then called Prussia Signup and view all the answers

What group did Karl Marx join that studied Georg Hegel?

a group of students Signup and view all the answers

What did Georg Hegel teach that influenced Marx?

Every important idea produces a conflict that results in a new idea. Signup and view all the answers

What philosophy did Karl Marx build on from Georg Hegel?

class struggle in history leading to a perfect society Signup and view all the answers

What was Georg Hegel considered, idealist or materialist?

idealist Signup and view all the answers

What was Karl Marx considered in contrast to Hegel?

materialist Signup and view all the answers

What did Karl Marx mean when he called 'religion the opium of the people'?

It acts as a narcotic easing the pain of the oppressed. Signup and view all the answers

What religion were Karl Marx's parents born into?

Judaism Signup and view all the answers

How did Karl Marx feel about religion?

indifferent Signup and view all the answers

What city was known as a hotbed of radical thinking?

Paris Signup and view all the answers

What conclusion did Karl Marx reach regarding the new industrial workers' wages?

They labored for wages barely keeping them alive. Signup and view all the answers

In what year did Marx write about workers' alienation?

1844 Signup and view all the answers

Who did Karl Marx befriend while in Paris?

Friedrich Engels Signup and view all the answers

What did Friedrich Engels publish?

A report on the dreadful conditions of the working class in England. Signup and view all the answers

What radical workers' group did Marx and Engels persuade members to name?

the Communist League Signup and view all the answers

How did Marx begin the Communist Manifesto?

'A specter is haunting Europe--the specter of Communism.' Signup and view all the answers

What did Marx claim the history of society was characterized by?

class struggles Signup and view all the answers

What did Marx call the oppressive class in his time?

the bourgeoisie Signup and view all the answers

What did Marx say about the value of a product?

It is based on the labor used to manufacture it. Signup and view all the answers

What did Marx predict would happen due to the exploitation of workers?

a new class struggle Signup and view all the answers

What did Marx describe as the role of communists?

They understood the class struggle and would unify the proletariat. Signup and view all the answers

What would occur during the 'socialist phase' of the revolution according to Marx?

The proletarian government would confiscate capitalist private property. Signup and view all the answers

What did Marx say would happen in the 'communist phase' of the revolution?

All classes would disappear, and class struggles would end. Signup and view all the answers

What did Marx declare at the end of the Communist Manifesto?

'Workers of the world unite!' Signup and view all the answers

What happened to worker uprisings by the time Marx published the Communist Manifesto?

They had been crushed by European governments. Signup and view all the answers

In what year did Marx publish the first volume of 'Capital'?

1867 Signup and view all the answers

What contributions of capitalism did Marx point out?

economic progress and advancements in technology Signup and view all the answers

How did Marx describe the government during the 'socialist phase'?

'the revolutionary dictatorship of the proletariat' Signup and view all the answers

What did Marx expect would happen after the proletariat took control?

Wealth would flow abundantly for the benefit of all. Signup and view all the answers

What did Marx publish in 1882?

A short preface to the Russian edition of the Communist Manifesto. Signup and view all the answers

Who published volumes two and three of 'Capital' after Marx's death?

Friedrich Engels Signup and view all the answers

What was contrary to Marx's predictions regarding economic conditions for workers?

They gradually improved in capitalist societies. Signup and view all the answers

What major reforms did Marx fail to anticipate?

Expansion of voting rights, abolition of child labor, social security, and union rights. Signup and view all the answers

What was Karl Marx's favorite motto?

'Everything should be doubted.' Signup and view all the answers

What did Marx express about the transformation from capitalist to communist society?

It requires a revolutionary transition period. Signup and view all the answers

What did Marx say about the relationship between labor and the worker?

The worker becomes poorer as wealth increases. Signup and view all the answers

What did Marx believe was the inevitable result of the capitalist system for workers?

overwork and premature death Signup and view all the answers

What did Marx claim about the condition of the worker in a fully developed state of society?

static misery Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Industrial Revolution and Class Dynamics

The Industrial Revolution began in England during the late 1700s, transforming agriculture and increasing reliance on wage labor.
This era saw a shift in power from landowners to a new class of capitalists, including merchants, bankers, and industrialists.

Labor Conditions

Industrial workers faced poor working conditions, typically enduring 12-hour days and minimal rights concerning pay or environment.
Children were commonly employed in factories and coal mines, facing health risks due to unsafe labor practices.

Urban Living Conditions

Families in industrial cities like Manchester lived in overcrowded, unsanitary conditions, with significant child mortality rates attributed to disease and malnutrition.
Industrialization polluted living environments with waste, impacting health and quality of life.

Capitalist Power and Legislation

The growing capitalist class influenced legislation, leading to the repeal of labor protections and criminalization of union formation.
Economic theories by Adam Smith, like those in "Wealth of Nations," supported capitalist freedoms and minimal government interference.

Marx's Perspective

Karl Marx arrived in England during the height of industrialization, emphasizing the plight of the working class over capitalist interests.
Marx was born in 1818 in Prussia and aligned himself with the philosophical ideas of Georg Hegel, particularly the dialectical process of thesis-antithesis-synthesis.

Marx's Philosophy

Unlike Hegel, who was an idealist, Marx viewed history as shaped by material conditions and economic factors, thus identifying as a materialist.
He critiqued religion as a tool for social control, describing it as the "opium of the people," providing temporary relief from societal suffering without addressing its root causes.

Key Works

In 1844, Marx articulated the concept of alienation, arguing that workers became separated from the products of their labor and required a revolutionary change to achieve freedom through communism.
Marx collaborated with Friedrich Engels, who published works detailing the harsh conditions of the working class and contributed significantly to Marxist theory.

Communist Manifesto and Revolution

The "Communist Manifesto" introduced the idea of historical class struggles and called for the proletariat's unity and revolution against the bourgeoisie.
Marx claimed that capitalism's inherent exploitation would inevitably lead to a proletarian revolution, creating a classless society where property would be owned communally.

Proletariat and Bourgeoisie

Marx defined the bourgeoisie as the oppressing capitalist class, while the proletariat represented the exploited working class, destined to rise up against their oppressors.
The "socialist phase" of revolution would involve the government seizing capitalist properties to operate them for the workers' benefit.

Predictions and Outcomes

Marx proposed a "communist phase" where class distinctions would vanish and governing states would no longer be necessary.
Despite Marx's expectations, post-revolutionary Europe saw gradual improvements for workers, including voting rights and labor laws, countering his predictions about capitalism's failure.

Later Writings and Legacy

In his later works, particularly "Capital," Marx acknowledged capitalism's technological advancements while asserting its eventual downfall due to monopolization and exploitation.
His analysis suggested that the transition from capitalism to socialism would be marked by a "revolutionary dictatorship of the proletariat" to ensure workers' interests.

Final Thoughts

Marx's later reflections indicated a change in perspective regarding Russia, recognizing its peasant class as pivotal for future communist developments.
Despite his revolutionary rhetoric, the socio-economic systems that evolved did not align entirely with Marx’s predictive framework, leading to an ongoing debate about his theories in contemporary socio-political contexts.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Test your understanding of the conflict between production forces and relations. This quiz explores the epochs in economic formation and the nature of bourgeois relations. Assess your grasp of historical materialism and economic transformations.