According to Karl Marx's historical materialism, societies progress through different modes of production in a specific order:

1. Primitive Communalism (Communalism) – Early societies where resources were shared.
2. Slavery – A system where a ruling class owned slaves.
3. Feudalism – A system dominated by landlords and peasants (serfs).
4. Capitalism – A system where the bourgeoisie (capitalist class) controls production, and workers sell their labour.
5. Socialism – A transition where workers control production.
6. Communism – A classless, stateless society.