Summary
"The German Ideology," penned by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels between 1845 and 1846, lays the groundwork for historical materialism, contrasting it against the prevailing idealism of German philosophy. The text critiques thinkers like Feuerbach, Stirner, and the Young Hegelians, exposing their philosophical illusions and their disconnect from material reality. Marx and Engels assert that consciousness does not determine life, but life determines consciousness, emphasizing the importance of material production and the real conditions under which individuals live.
The book introduces key concepts such as the division of labor, private property, class struggle, and the development of productive forces. Marx and Engels outline how these material factors shape social relations, ideology, and the state. They argue that the ruling ideas of each epoch are those of the ruling class, which controls both the material and mental means of production. The division of labor leads to alienation, as individuals become confined to specific roles and their own actions become an alien power against them.
"The German Ideology" also explores the historical progression of different forms of ownership, from tribal to ancient communal, feudal, and finally, modern private property. This progression is linked to the development of productive forces and the corresponding forms of social organization. The rise of manufacturing and big industry transforms social relations, leading to the emergence of the proletariat and the intensification of class conflict. Competition, world trade, and the concentration of capital further shape the conditions of existence for individuals.
Central to the book is the concept of communism as the real movement that abolishes the present state of things. Marx and Engels argue that the proletariat, by overthrowing the existing order and abolishing private property, can liberate individuals from the constraints of the division of labor and alienation. This revolution requires the transformation of consciousness and the creation of a society in which individuals can freely develop their capacities in all directions. Communism is not an ideal to be achieved but a practical necessity arising from the contradictions of existing society, aiming to unite individuals and place the conditions of their development under their own control.
The text addresses the relationship between the individual, class, and community. Individuals form a class through common struggles against another class, and their conditions of existence are largely determined by their class position. However, in a communist society, individuals participate in the community as individuals, not merely as members of a class. This transformation involves the appropriation of productive forces and the development of individual capacities, leading to a society where free development of each is the condition for the free development of all.