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Engels Use Of Historical Materialism In Anti-Duhring

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In the excerpt from Anti-Duhring titled “Theoretical,” Engels approaches the idea of social order and production through a historical materialistic standpoint. Engels identifies the fundamental contradiction in the capitalist mode of production and utilizes it to flow a series of other conflicts and a possible solution through collective action. Engels attempts to uncover the conflict between the mode of production and mode of exchange and how the proletariat's can leap from the realm of necessity to the realm of freedom (310) while still integrated in the capitalist mode of production. In this essay I will display the key concept of the historical materialism approach, the fundamental contradiction that arises in capitalism, and what Engels …show more content…

The first contradiction states, “Between the organization of production in the individual factory and the anarchy of production as a whole” (299) Through this Engels reveals that within each capitalist firm lies strict and conscious organization of production but as a whole, outside of the individual firms, it is anarchistic and disorganized. The capitalistic structure of society is not governed with a systematic and organized plan but rather focuses on profit and variations within the separate systems, doing nothing for production in society as a whole. Engels believes we have lost control over factors that could affect production and profit, he states, “Large-scale industry and the creation of the world market have made the struggle universal and at the same time given it unparalleled intensity” (299) This reveals the disorganization between the individual capitalist industries and the world market as a whole. Furthermore, the second contradiction states, “The mode of production rebels against the mode of exchange; the productive forces rebel against the mode of production, which they have outgrown” (302) Through this Engels reveals that socialized production and capitalist appropriation will eventually reach a breaking point and collapse. Capitalist mode of production will tear under the pressure of the productive forces and cause an end to capitalism. (302) In order for capitalism to function it has to be as efficient as possible, and through automation it has the ability to do so. On the contrary, human labour being replaced by technology prevents individuals from obtaining a profit, and with very little pay, consumerism becomes

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