ABSTRACT

　　Marx’s proposition concerning the conditions under which older social formations are destroyed and superior relations of production become established represents a fundamental concept of scientific socialism. No social formation ceases to exist so long as the relations of production that underlie it are still capable of driving the development of the productive forces at a relatively rapid pace. Here, the term “productive forces” refers to the overall state of the productive forces in all the countries that make up the social formation as a whole, and not just to the productive forces of one or several countries. Once the material conditions have matured for a social formation that corresponds to these conditions, that new social formation will come into being. The “material conditions for its existence,” of course, cannot simply be equated with the productive forces. A correct understanding of the changing material conditions involved is essential for a firm confidence in the socialist ideal, and for a determined strategic pursuit of the socialist course.

　　KEYWORDS: Productive forces; relations of production; social formation; social transformation; socialism

　　From: International Critical Thought 2023 13 (3)

　　Editor: Wang Yi