The nature of production relations determines the economic system of a given society . This economic system is the basis on which the various social relations , ideas and institutions arise , for the mode of production eventually determines all aspects of life in a given society . First , the basis determines the political and legal institutions and organisations which depend upon the class structure of society ( the state , church , political parties , etc . ) – everything that constitutes the political superstructure of society . Then it determines the various ideas of society ( political , legal , philosophical , religious , artistic , etc . ) – everything that constitutes the ideological super structure of society . Since the basis determines the superstructure , it follows that every change of basis entails a change in superstructure , i.e. , in the existing political institutions and ideology . How ever , the superstructure , though dependent upon the basis , can in turn influence production relations and can either accelerate or delay their replacement . Every society is thus an integral organism , a socio – economic formation , a definite historical type of society with its own distinctive mode of production , basis and superstructure . The basis of the slave state , as of the feudal and capitalist states , is antagonistic , since it is founded on private owner ship of the means of production and the exploitation by the ruling class of the producers of material values . That is why the socio – economic formation of the slave state in general is an antagonistic , exploiter formation .