Historical materialism is the convenient descriptive label used by Marx and Engels to describe their theory of historical development and change. At its heart is the idea that people “make their own history, but not in conditions of their own choosing.” Material conditions shape human social relations, but those social relations are themselves transformed by human action. Historical materialism describes our philosophy in understanding human society and the material world on which it is based, and the historical possibilities for changing both. It is foundational to our theory that the working class can (and must) win its emancipation by its own conscious struggle and organization.

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