social formation

social formation

(MARXISM) an actually existing society in which one or more MODES OF PRODUCTION may be dominant. The concept was developed by Althusserian Marxists (see ALTHUSSER) to distinguish a specifically Marxian concept equivalent to SOCIETY but without its perceived ideological connotations. Since any one social formation may have more than one mode of production, the concept potentially allows for greater refinement of the analysis of the variety of historical instances. (Although Marx used the terms 'social formation’ and 'society’ more or less interchangeably, he used the latter more often, (Bottomore et al., 1983)).