Analysing Karl Marx Theory of Historical Materialism

Abstract

Historical Materialism is the methodological approach of Marxist historiography that focuses on human societies and their development over time, clamming that they follow a number of observable tendencies. This was first articulated by Karl Marx (1818-1883) . It is principally a theory of history according to which the material conditions of a society’s way of producing and reproducing the means of human existence in Marxist terms. The union of its productive capacity and social relations of production, fundamentally determines its organization and development. Historical Materialism looks the causes of the developments and changes in human society in the means by which humans collectively produce and necessities of life. Social classes and relationship between them, along with the political structure and way of thinking in society are found on economic activity. Marx analysis of history is based on his distinction between the means of production like land a natural resource and technology that are necessary for production of material goods and the social relation of production .In other words people enter into social relationship as they acquire the use of means of production under capitalism people sell their labour power when they accept compensation in return for whatever work they do in given period of time. Marx, however believe that capitalism was prone to periodic crisis .Marx theory of Historical Materialism uses the evolution of productive forces and class struggle to explain history. In this research paper i am going to prove and analyse how changes took place in historical materialism down the ages due to mode of production.