Critique

In this assertion, superstructure means various forms of ideologies, namely, the various views and the institutions.  The 11 various forms of ideologies'' means political, legal, religious, artistic and philosophical views and institutions of the society.  The "foundation" (basis) means the production relations or economic system.

Communists assert that just as spirit is the product of matter, so superstructure is the product of the foundation, therefore, the superstructure falls into collapse together with it.  When the new foundation is set up). then. on this, the new superstructure is formed.

The facts of actual history, however, do not support these assertions.  For this reason, there has emerged among the Communists a new tendency to insist on what they call "continuity of the superstructure."  This shows that they have recognized their error.  As a matter of fact, most ancient Greek art, major religious (Christianity) and legal concepts of the Roman Empire era still remain today.  Even though the foundation (the production relations) of the slavery system perished long ago, the superstructure itself did not perish but still remains.  From these facts it is clear that their assertion is fundamentally wrong.

Counterproposal

The cause of their mistake is that they maintain that the spirit is a product of matter, and that, by applying this assertion to society, they compare spirit to the superstructure (the various views and the institutions) and likewise, matter to the production relations (economy).  According to Unification Thought, spirit is not the product of matter, and therefore in applying the spirit-matter relationship to society, "spirit" should be regarded as corresponding to man's will and "matter" to economic goods only.  From productive forces and production relations to politics, laws, religion and art, all are products of a combination (give-and-take action) of man's will (desire) and economic goods.

Among man's desires, there are two kinds of desires: one is temporary and specific, while the other is permanent and universal.  The products of temporary and specific desires cannot survive the time, but the products of permanent and universal desires remain, transcending time and place.

Because religion, art and laws have strong aspects to satisfy the more permanent and more universal desires, they survive for a long time.