Rev Left Radio Marxism 101: Intro to Historical Materialism (and the Necessity of Socialism)
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Apr 6, 2025 Dive into an engaging exploration of historical materialism as Breht unpacks its role in the evolution of human societies. Learn how capitalism influences culture and the legal system, showcasing its discrepancies in favor of wealth. Discover the necessity for socialism as a response to capitalism's failures and the importance of organized revolutionary action. The discussion highlights the interplay of law, ideology, and class struggle, arguing for a revolutionary framework to achieve a classless society.
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Dialectical and Historical Materialism
- Marxism uses dialectical materialism to understand reality.
- Historical materialism applies this framework to human history and societal evolution.
Historical Materialism's Core Assertion
- Historical materialism posits that material conditions shape human consciousness, not the other way around.
- This explains how capitalism influences individual beliefs and behaviors, like opposing social programs.
Capitalism's Influence on Beliefs
- Breht uses opposition to social welfare programs, like the "bootstraps" argument, to illustrate how capitalism shapes thinking.
- People internalize capitalist values, hindering support for programs that could benefit them.
