MARX'S VIEW OF ASIAN SOCIETY AND HIS “ASIATIC MODE OF PRODUCTION”

Abstract

In this article Marx's view of Asian society and his “Asiatic mode of production’ are analysed. It is concluded that Marx at first regarded Asian society as a special society which was stagnant and devoid of history, but that at length he overcame this view, considered that the Asiatic mode of production was begotten out of the dissolution of primitive society and was the earliest form of class society and the specific mode of production preceding the ancient mode of production, and placed this mode of production in the series of historical stages of development. Thereafter the author sets out his own views regarding the logical structure of the genesis, development, and fall of this Asiatic mode of production. Copyright © 1966, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved