Marxist Historical Materialism and the Evolution of Society
Historical Materialism: A Marxist Analysis of History
The Material Basis of Society
Historical materialism, the Marxist science of history, emphasizes the role of human beings as the protagonists of history. It rests on two fundamental ideas:
- Humans interact with nature and each other through material relations. They extract resources from nature and produce goods to satisfy their material needs (food, shelter, etc.). Marx termed this the social production of life.
- These material relations shape ideology,
Labor Movement: History, Ideologies, and Social Impact
The Birth of the Labor Movement
The industrial mode of production caused the disappearance of guilds and the impoverishment and destitution of artisans. The emergence of economic liberalism resulted in very harsh living conditions for workers. These conditions were characterized by:
- Working very long hours (up to 14 hours).
- Lack of safety and health at work, leading to common accidents and diseases.
- Exploitation of women and children.
- Lower, often subsistence, wages.
- Free dismissal without compensation
Rationalism and Pioneers in Modern Architecture
Rationalism: The most important architectural movement of the 20th century, after World War I, producing a vanguard architectural language completely detached from the past and responding to the needs and aspirations of modern society. It is based on the following premises:
- Functionalism: Ways to serve the function, a practical concept of architecture. “Architecture as an instrument of social progress” in the service of collective needs.
- Inspired by Neo-Dutch, Russian Constructivism, and Cubism.
Defining
Read MoreTechnological Transformations: From Industrial Revolution to Modern Age
Technology in the Modern Age
At the end of the Middle Ages, cities were the main feature of Western life. In 1600, London and Amsterdam had populations over 100,000, and Paris twice that amount. Germans, English, Spanish, and French began to build global empires. In the early eighteenth century, capital resources and banking systems were well-established in Britain to start investing in mass production techniques, satisfying middle-class aspirations. The Industrial Revolution began in England due
Read MoreIndustrial Revolution: Factors and Capitalist Economy Development
Industrial Revolution
We call the phenomenon of industrialization a revolution because its effects were more profound than any other economic change, except for the onset of the Agricultural Revolution. We could define it as a cumulative number of innovations in production and social relations, generating a new way to produce and distribute, with a capacity for growth that would revolutionize economic activity. For the first time in human history, humankind could produce increasing amounts of goods
Read MoreFounding Manifesto of the PSOE: 1879 Analysis and Context
Founding Manifesto of the PSOE. 1879.
Introduction
This text is a political primary source document. The authors, notably Javier Vera and Pablo Iglesias, were key figures in the Spanish labor movement. Iglesias, the founder of PSOE and UGT in 1888, also published the foundational article “Socialist.” His death significantly impacted Spanish socialism. The manifesto targets the Spanish proletariat (working class), addressing their social misery and effective slavery under the bourgeois ruling class.
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