Distinguish between Base and Superstructure with special reference to Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels.

Basically speaking, Marx says that the "base" is the
foundation of our society.  It is the thing that is truly important.  By contrast, the
superstructure consists of things that are built upon that
base.

Marx argued that what was truly important in any
society was the "relations of production."  In other words, it is the relationship
between those who do the work and those who own the means of production that really
determines how a society is.

On top of that base, there is
a superstructure that seems to be what is important about our society.  This consists of
things like our structure of government or our culture.  These are things that seem
really important but aren't.  What is really important is what the relationship is
between those who work and those who own the means of
production.