"Politics is the concentrated expression of the economy": the author of the phrase and its meaning

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:39

V. I. Lenin said more than a hundred years ago: "Politics is the concentrated expression of economics." This formula has been proven by time. The main task of any government is to create a developed economy. Without it, it will not be able to hold on to power. What is politics? This is the area of action between states, peoples, classes, social groups. Economic relations in any of these areas are fundamental.

Political organization of society

How can one explain the expression that politics is the concentrated expression of economics? Any organized society does not exist simply as a group of people. It has its own structure. This concerns his political organization. It consists of a system of institutions, the main of which isthe state, as well as political parties, organizations, institutions. As a result of the historical development of society, the emergence of classes and states, a political system is being formed.

It depends on many factors, but mostly on the structure of society and the class struggle. The more acute the latter, the greater the number of issues that are involved in the political system. Politics is divided into internal and external. They solve different issues, but at the same time they are aimed at solving one problem: the preservation and strengthening of the state system of society. Politics is based on the economy, being its superstructure. The more solid this foundation, the stronger the position of the state. So politics is the concentrated expression of economics? Let's figure it out.

Structure of society

From the point of view of sociology, a society consists of many historically established connections, systems and institutions that operate in a single territory. The structure of society is complex. It consists of:

• A large number of people, citizens who are united by several principles. By place of residence: cities, towns, villages, and so on. At the place of work: any enterprises, government agencies. By place of study: universities, institutes, colleges, schools.
• Many social statuses. Citizens, heads of enterprises and organizations, deputies of various levels, political and public figures, and so on.
• State and community regulations andvalues that determine certain activities of people, systems and institutions.

Despite the complex structure, society, from the point of view of sociology, is a single, but not without contradictions, organism. It has its own social structure. These are stable and balanced ties that are determined by the relations of classes and other social groups, the division of labor, and the characteristics of institutions.

The main characteristic of society is the relative unity of productive forces and administrative structures. There are certain economic, political and legal relations between them, between which there are mutual ties and actions.

Politics or economics

Until our time, disputes about what comes first, politics or economics, do not subside. Politics determines the economy or vice versa. Therefore, Lenin's expression: "Politics is the concentrated expression of economics" is constantly challenged. These two factors are inextricably linked. But the history of the last century knows no examples of the opposite. A state with a weak economy cannot pursue its independent foreign and domestic policy. It depends on the economically developed countries, which today determine the most important issues of world politics.

Countries that are backward in economic development practically do not participate in this. There is a statement that the economy is the basis for politics. This definition was put forward and substantiated by K. Marx in Capital. He argued that the political superstructure of any state is based on the economicthe structure of society. This is the law, and the whole history of human development can serve as proof of this.

Politics is the concentrated expression of economics

Who said this, making this phrase defining? This thesis of V. I. Lenin formulated while leading a discussion about trade unions with L. Trotsky and N. Bukharin. According to him, politics has no superiority over the economy. Attempts to even equate them may be erroneous. This can be traced throughout the history of human society. At the same time, it should be taken into account that the economic basis, being the basis of the structure of society, contains not only political, but also other superstructures.

Purpose of policy

Based on long-term factors, it should provide real conditions for the development of the economy. Without a solid foundation, its superstructures cannot be effective. Politics primarily reflects the economy. This confirms that politics is the concentrated expression of economics. The solution of its issues and problems, first of all, is necessary for the preservation and strengthening of political power. But at the same time, the logic of politics may not always match the logic of economics.

In a sense, politics has a large degree of independence, trying to solve not only economic, but also other issues that are important for the state. But this is not at all easy to do without a strong economic foundation. There is no strong political power without the support of the people. He will always support that governmentwhich provides for his basic needs. And this, above all, is decently paid work, which provides the necessary benefits - decent housing, medical care, education, pensions and much more. All this is guaranteed only by an economically developed state.

Politics and economics in the age of globalization

How can one explain politics as a concentrated expression of the economy in the age of universal globalization. To do this, at first glance, is quite difficult. Historically, the development of civilizations in the world is uneven. It is globalization that accelerates this process. This can be seen in the case of developing countries, where the growth of material inequality has become more significant. With the visible growth of the economy, its growing indicators, these countries remain politically dependent. This is understandable, since corporations that have invested in the construction of enterprises owned by transcontinental companies do not intend to develop foreign states and economies.

The lion's share of income goes to them. The remaining percentages are divided among those in power, senior managers, the crumbs go to employees. The rest of the population is given the right to contemplate from the shacks surrounding ultra-modern megacities, the splendor of palaces, expensive cars and everything else that the above parts of the population can afford. Can we expect independent policies from these economically dependent states? Of course not.

Economic component

The development of civilization has now reached such a level that the leading position in the world is not occupied by those countries where there are more factories and factories. This position is occupied by states that own advanced technologies. This is what allows them to dictate their terms in politics. Giant production facilities are built, as a rule, in countries that belong to the third world. If we assume that politics is a concentrated expression of the economy, then it can be argued that states that do not have a strong and solid basis cannot have developed technologies.

Possessing technology, developed countries dictate their terms, well aware that without this component there will be no progress. Currently, economic dominance is a small number of countries, such as Germany, China, the United States. It is these countries that are actively engaged in foreign policy, trying to dictate the political conditions they need, widely defending their benefits.

Self Policy

Is it possible for countries with an undeveloped economy to pursue an independent independent policy that provides great opportunities for progressive influence on the development of the state and on the historical process at the present time? Today there are no such precedents in the world. In modern history there are attempts to defend their interests, declaring their independence, butthey all ended badly.

This can be seen in the example of Iraq, where the bombing was used, followed by military intervention. US appointment of the President of Venezuela. Can someone object? Only China and Russia. Unfortunately, these examples are not isolated. Or the construction of the Nord Stream. Where is the independent policy of developed Germany?

Russia is a policy without a solid basis

"Politics is the concentrated expression of economics." The author of this expression is V. I. Lenin is not honored in Russia today. But history develops according to the laws discovered by Marx. Their work is studied in the West and in the USA. Today it is impossible even to compare the levels of economic development of America and Russia. This is what gives Trump the opportunity to resolve any political issues more easily and with less loss. To this we can add the all-powerful dollar, which, even in Russia, can do absolutely anything. A strong economy makes it easy to maneuver when solving any issue: ban, not sell or not buy. This is an opportunity to press, "twist your arms", knowing the gaps and problems of the enemy.

It is no accident that there have been attempts to challenge the expression that politics is a concentrated expression of the economy. Russia is cited as an example, where foreign policy today plays a crucial role compared to the economy. There is one “but” here, which makes it difficult to refute this statement. The fact is that Russia inherited a strong economy from the USSR and its result - the most powerful defense in the world, which makes it reckon withtoday.

The first thing after Gorbachev's betrayal in the 90s was the destruction of high-tech enterprises, where household goods were produced - frying pans, pots and so on. Many of the latest developments have been stolen or sold in the United States for mere pennies. The country suffered enormous damage. The foreign and domestic policy of Russia in the 90s is laughter through tears. Even the Americans themselves were fully convinced that Russia would never get up off its knees. It took them ten years to realize that this was not so. The result is today's sanctions.