Q 14. Does the same complexity apply to the phenomena of class struggle which is usually presented as a mechanical struggle between the rich and the poor?

THE basic struggle in history emerges due to a hiatus between those who own and those who operate the productive forces. Both are the product of the other and yet their movement depends on the annihilation of the other. But their conflict becomes active in society as a political struggle between parties or social forces. Even a direct, military confrontation between the antagonistic classes takes place behind the cover of ideas and issues.

Class struggle, in the Leninist sense, also reveals the true, conflict ridden basis of social and human relations – the relationship of power present in educational institutions, family, even love relations. For most of the time, its result go beyond the intentions of the participants. In ancient Rome, the struggle between patricians, plebeians and slaves struck at the basis of Roman-European society and hastened its dissolution. But the new ruling class was made up of Germanic tribes, coming from northern Europe, as it was they who earned the germs of new production relations. The same was true of ancient India – here the central Asian, Hun tribes emerged as new feudal rulers of north India towards the close of the Gupta Empire, even when they played no active part in the class and political struggles of that period.