Part IV. Methodology of Historiographyand the Theory of Socio - Economic Formations

The theory of socio-economic formations (SEF) is basic in Marxist historical writing. A SEP is a system consisting of one and only one mode of production and of those institutions in other strata of society that are interconnected and are compatible with that mode of production.

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It is useful to distinguish subtypes of a SEP; two of the most important of these are stages and modifications. When Lenin introduced the concept of imperialism he used it to denote a stage of the capitalist SEP When Marxist historians sреак about Asian and European feudalism, they refer to certain modifications of the feudal SEF.

Individual societies may belong to one SEP only (then they are formationally homogeneous) or to a number of SEFa Pormationally heterogeneous societies consist of sectors belonging to different SEFs. In some cases these sectors might be so integrated that it becomes rational to use the designation «a complex socio-economic formation» (e. g. , the USA before the abolition of slavery).

Formation sequences can be explicated by means of orientated graphs. Different conceptions of SEP sequences are reproduced by different graphs:

where P - primitive SEF

A - Asiatic SEF

S - slave-owning (classical

antiquity) SEF

P - feudal SEF

0 - capitalist SEF

M - communist SEF

Pig. 27

SEF sequences can be established empirically. They are scientifically explained with reference to the compatibility principle (or compatibility law) between the forces of

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production and relations of production. This is a classical case of scientific explanation in history.

Problems of SEF sequences have to be differentiated from the problems of SEF nomenclature («Which are the particular SEFs that do exist or have existed?»).

There are two types of questions not to be confused: (1) What is a SEP? (2) Can the society X be identified with a particular SEP or do we have to introduce a new SEP? Question (2) is essentially a question for historians. Question (1) involves methodology essentially because, its answer is paradigma dependent (involves reference to the theoretical concept of a SEF and to means of introducing that concept). As SEP is a Marxist concept, the criteria for introducing a particular SEP have to include pointing out its production relations. For example, it is inconsistent to claim to be a Marxist and to claim that some SEFs. are based on non-economic forces.

The theory of SEPs explains SEF sequences. It does not explain nor does it pretend to explain everything in history. A theory of a SEF explains institutional types and processes inside a SEF. It might prove to be possible to build theories for SEP stages or even for particular societies. In any case, theories about SEFs are historical and scientific, although it is still possible to use дшее modern methods than ordinarily employed in formulating those theories.

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БИБЛИОГРАФИЯ

В настоящую библиографию включены только те произведения, на которые имеются сеялки в тексте, за исключением библиографических указателей в разделе 2. 1. Последние указываются выборочно.