The Origin of the Family, Private Property and the State (Friedrich Engels)

Friedrich Engels' *The Origin of the Family, Private Property and the State* examines how human society evolved, emphasizing that the idea of family, private ownership, and government emerged through historical processes. Engels argues that early human groups had communal living, but as people started to claim land and resources for themselves, private property appeared. This led to social inequalities and the need for governance— the state—to maintain order and protect property rights. Engels suggests these structures are historically shaped and reflect the economic systems, especially capitalism, reinforcing class divisions and power dynamics.