Historical materialism is a methodological approach to the study of society, economics, and history, first articulated by Karl Marx (1818–1883) as "the materialist conception of history". Historical materialism looks for the causes of developments and changes in human society in the means by which humans collectively produce the necessities of life. Social classes and the relationship between them, plus the political structures and ways of thinking in society, are founded on and reflect economic activity.
Since Marx's time, the theory has been modified and expanded by thousands of Marxist thinkers. It now has many variants.
Read more about Historical Materialism: Key Ideas, Key Implications in The Study and Understanding of History, Marx's Materialism, Historical Materialism and The Future, Marxist Beliefs About History, Alienation and Freedom, The History of Historical Materialism, Warnings Against Misuse, Historical Materialism in Marxist Thought, Recent Versions of Historical Materialism, Criticisms
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