Economics Quote by David Lewis-Williams
““The economic base of a social formation, the infrastructure, includes the social relations of production the produce the material necessities of life. In doing so, it produces the superstructure, that is, ideology, belief, religion, and juridical controls.””
About This Quote
Source Academic: Anthropology Textbook, 2005
Economic foundations shape social relations, which generate material needs and, in turn, create ideologies, religions, and legal systems.
In simple terms: Economy builds society and its ideas.
Key Takeaway
Study economic structures to understand cultural systems.
Themes
economics
social relations
ideology
religion
law
Mood
analytical
academic
critical
Type
theoretical
scholarly
When to use this quote
- policy analysis
- education curriculum
- community organizing
- media critique
- legal reform
Key Concepts
marxist theory
anthropology
social theory
Questions to Reflect On
- How do economic changes affect cultural beliefs?
- Can ideology reshape economic structures?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on economics may overlook agency.
