The growth and formation of the state and society is a very long and intense process associated with confrontations and tribal struggles. First of all, the basis for the state is the order and coherence of the actions of individual residents and communities.
The materialist theory of the origin of the state is based on the construction in the minds of the people of the ancient world of a model of primitive government and domination. Starting from tribes and communities, people united in large groups, this required the organization of their lives and the orderliness of actions and forces. The formation of statehood and the concept of the legal system originates from the time of the growth of a person’s personality, the definition of his desires and needs. This is not about instincts and a minimum set of requirements, but about people's aspirations to form a strong community that can protect itself from enemies and feed all its members.
Materialist theory of the origin of the state
Organizations of tribes and clans have been replaced by states. The number of prosperous and strong communities inevitably grew, they were joined by other tribes during the conquests and the unification of forces. This inevitably led to the emergence of material interests and the division of labor. Everyone had to work or defend their lands and tribe. The interest of people in the growth of benefits has led to the fact that individual families began to stand out from the rest. In order to contain interests and preserve peace in the community, establishment of order was required. They invariably existed before, but these were customs that did not differ in severity.
The materialist theory of the origin of state and law points to the root of the origin of power. According to the supporters of the theory, the basis of it is class inequality.
State: causes of occurrence
The historical materialist theory of the origin of the state names such reasons for its occurrence:
- division of labor and activities;
- the appearance of surplus product in individual families.
These reasons are economic in nature. First of all, the formation and separation of classes was based on labor and the number of family members. Some produced guns, others made dishes, hunted game or gathered. As a result, people began to exchange benefits. And, as a result, some of them have become economically more successful. So there was a division into classes. As social groups developed, it only took root and grew stronger.
The emergence of power
The state and law (according to the materialistic theory of origin) were called to represent the interest of the wealthy strata and restrain less successful tribesmen. This happened in the course of growing differences between different social strata, the formation of a power capable of regulating the interests of the dominant group was required. It was natural to form a government body from among the propertied members of society.
The materialist theory of the origin of the state is summarized as the separation of classes on the basis of the economic superiority of some over others. She also explains the emergence of power as a necessary lever of influence on the vast majority of the oppressed class.
The materialistic class theory of the origin of the state in the works of political figures
According to the statements of K. Marx, F. Engels, V.I. Lenin and G.V. The Plekhanov state, representing the interests of the wealthy and oppressing the poor, is temporary. Social justice is restored along with the erasure of class differences.
According to the speculation of Friedrich Engels, the existence of the state as a mechanism of power is compelled, since the difference of classes requires the establishment of control over them using various measures. Previously, people could do without the state and government. An organization that has emerged from the needs of society, the state, alienates itself from its origins, gradually moving away from the interests of its citizens.
The difference between the state and the tribal community lies in binding to the territory and dividing it according to economic principles. Also, the differences, according to Engels, are expressed in the appearance of public institutions that oblige citizens to comply with laws and law. Armed forces and mandatory tax levies serve as measures to ensure state control over citizens. It is they that destroy the apparatus of statehood, because over time they develop into international loans, necessary for the maintenance of the state itself.
Theory and Revolution
According to supporters of the materialist theory of the origin of the state of the second half of the 19th century, production capabilities have grown so much that the contradiction of production forces and relations has become apparent. Class inequality has lost its relevance and has become a serious obstacle to further development. This problem can be solved with the help of revolutionary actions and the establishment of equality between different social strata of society.