Abstract
We argue that Marx's statements on the non-historicity and stagnation of the oriental world does not represent a theoretical compromise with a supposedly innate superiority of the Europeans. Firstly, we present Asiatic Mode of Production according to Marx. Then, we argue that "Asiatic societies" are characterized by perpetuation of its endogenous economic structures which contrasts with the intense dynamism of capitalism. Further we show that "Oriental" societies are capable of endogenous capitalist development as soon as their archaic economic structures has been destroyed by capitalism. At last, we point that Marx's statements on Asiatic Mode of Production and "non-historic peoples" must be analyzed in the light of his general theory of progress and uneven historical development.
Keywords
Marx; theory of history; Asiatic mode of production