In the theory of historical materialism, the term Asiatic mode of production describes a widespread pre-Capitalist mode of production, in which irrigation agriculture plays an important role in society. Oriental despotism is considered to arise out of this mode of production. The term was influenced by Karl Marx. According to the current Marxist research, however, the Asiatic mode of production can be found all around the world, not just in Asia as the term indicates. Historical materialism is the methodological approach to the study of society, economics and history which was first articulated by Karl Marx (1818-1883), although Marx himself never used the term. ... Capitalism is an economic system in which the means of production are mostly privately owned, and capital is invested in the production, distribution, and other trade of goods and services for profit in a market. ... In the writings of Karl Marx and the Marxist theory of historical materialism, a mode of production (in German: Produktionsweise, meaning the way of producing) is a specific combination of: productive forces: these include human labor-power, tools, equipment, buildings and technologies, materials, and improved land social and technical relations... High-altitude aerial view of irrigation in the Heart of the Sahara ( ) Irrigation is the replacement or supplementation of rainfall with water from another source in order to grow crops or plants. ... Oriental Despotism is the quality ascribed by Karl Marx to large cities of the Middle East and Asia, which would not have been truly independent, mainly due to their geographical location. ... Karl Heinrich Marx (May 5, 1818, Trier, Germany – March 14, 1883, London) was an immensely influential philosopher from Germany, a political economist, and a socialist revolutionary. ... World map showing the location of Asia. ...