ABSTRACT
Vygotsky’s posture here leaves it open for him to say, which he does quite frequently, that he thinks the historical development of the forces of production leads that of the relations of work; this is one of the key claims of Marx’s historical materialism. This is compatible with his stand on signs and self-consciousness, as, on Marx’s own admission, key aspects of signs and self-consciousness are part of the forces of production. This is largely responsible for Vygotsky’s frequent claim that his ideas are in accordance with Marx’s historical materialism.
