Historical Materialism
Historical Materialism is a philosophy proposed by Karl Marx, stating societies change over time because of struggles between economic classes, with economy driving historical progress. Essentially, our history is shaped by how and who controls wealth and resources. As economic structures evolve, so does society.
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Historical materialism is a framework for understanding history and society developed by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels. It posits that the material conditions of a society—such as its economic relationships, means of production, and class structure—fundamentally shape its culture, politics, and ideas. Rather than viewing history as a series of individual actions or ideals, historical materialism emphasizes how economic forces drive social change and human development. Ultimately, it suggests that to understand any society, one must analyze how its material conditions influence its structure and evolution over time.