Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, The German Ideology, p. 57-95 (Week 9 Reading pt2)

Historical Materialism

Marx and Engels' theory that the organization of economic life shapes every aspect of society.

Division of Labor

The specialization of labor that limits individual freedom and development by forcing people into particular economic roles.

Alienation

The separation of individuals from their work, leading to a lack of fulfillment and disconnection from their true potential.

Private Property

Ownership concentrated in the hands of a few, which leads to social classes with conflicting interests.

State

Political institutions that generally serve the interests of the dominant economic class rather than the common good.

Dominant Ideology

Ideas that reflect the interests of the ruling class and obscure the economic realities of society.

Consciousness

The beliefs and ideas of individuals, shaped by their material conditions rather than existing independently.

Proletariat

The working class created by industrial capitalism, possessing the potential for revolutionary change.

Communism

A practical movement emerging from capitalism aimed at overcoming class divisions and achieving collective human development.

Human Freedom

The realization of individual capacities and development free from domination and exploitation.

Economic Arrangements

The ways in which production and labor are organized, affecting social classes and power dynamics.

Revolutionary Change

A transformation led by the proletariat due to contradictions within capitalism that restrict development.

Class Divisions

Social stratifications that arise from material economic arrangements, leading to competition between classes.

Material Conditions

The physical and economic factors that shape human needs, social relations, and historical development.

Social Being

The material conditions and relations that define individuals' existence and influence their consciousness.

Collective Human Development

A societal focus on fostering the potential of all individuals rather than concentrating wealth and power.

Occupational Roles

Fixed economic identities that limit individuals' engagement in a range of activities and interests.

Contradictions of Capitalism

Tensions arising from the conflict between productive forces and social relations, leading to social instability.

Idealist Thinkers

Philosophers who believe ideas alone can change society, which Marx and Engels critique for neglecting material conditions.

Legitimacy of Social Systems

The perception that social arrangements are just and normal, often masking inherent inequalities.

Interests of the Ruling Class

The priorities and benefits that are typically masked as the common good but serve a specific privileged group.