Definition of the word superstructure

The term "superstructure" originated in the realm of Marxist philosophy and refers to the non-economic institutions, beliefs, and practices that develop on top of the economic infrastructure of a society. In Marx's theory of historical materialism, the economic base (or infrastructure) determines the development of the superstructure, which comprises politics, culture, law, religion, and other societal components that further reinforce existing power relations. The concept of superstructure underscores the idea that high culture, ideology, and politics are not inherently distinct or autonomous from the material conditions in which people live, work, and interact.