How did Marxism explain the relationship between the economic base and social institutions?

In Marxist theory, the relationship between the economic base and social institutions is defined by the concept of historical materialism. Marx posited that the "economic structure" of society—comprising the material forces of production and the relations of production—serves as the real foundation upon which a legal and political "superstructure" is built.1

This relationship functions through the following principles:

• Determination: The mode of production in material life determines the general character of social, political, and intellectual processes. Marx famously argued that it is not the consciousness of individuals that determines their existence, but rather their social existence that determines their consciousness.1
• Superstructure: Social institutions, such as government, law, and religion, are considered outgrowths of a society's economic activity. These institutions are erected upon the economic base to reflect and support the existing relations of production.213
• Social Change: When social institutions cease to reflect the evolving mode of production, contradictions arise. These contradictions act as the "motor of history," eventually leading to the replacement of the existing economic system and its corresponding social structure.2