relations of production


relations of production

(MARXISM) the economic and social relations established between producers and nonproducers in the course of economic production. These combine with particular MEANS OF PRODUCTION to form a MODE OF PRODUCTION. One of the key distinctions is between capitalist and noncapitalist modes of production (see CAPITALISM AND CAPITALIST MODE OF PRODUCTION, NONCAPITALIST AND PRECAPITALIST MODES OF PRODUCTION). In the former the producers are separated from the ownership of the means of production. In non-capitalist modes, producers such as PEASANTS are likely to own many of the means of production, but are confronted by nonproducers, such as landlords, who extract an ECONOMIC SURPLUS from the producers often via the use of political, military or ideological power.