The Influence of History

The influence of history permeates Marx for Beginners. As Marx wrote, nothing is ever produced in isolation. Tools, ideas, theories, and other parts of society build on or react to what came before as well as the current situation in society. Rius spends a great deal of time in this book discussing historical philosophers, Marx's own history, and Marx's theories that draw on history. History is an important part of Marxist theory, even as the theory seeks to move society forward into socialism. The influence of history can be seen in both Marx's historical materialism and in his philosophical influences.

Marx's historical materialism argues that society evolves and changes over time. He identifies five different modes of production that society has or will pass into. Society began in primitive community before moving into the slave state, feudal state, capitalist system, and finally to socialist society...