Friedrich Engels

Definition

Friedrich Engels was a German philosopher, social scientist, and political theorist known for his collaboration with Karl Marx in the development of Marxist theory. Engels provided significant contributions to the critique of capitalism, notably through works like 'The Condition of the Working Class in England,' and played a crucial role in articulating the ideas of historical materialism and class struggle, which are central to Marxist ideology.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Engels co-authored 'The Communist Manifesto' with Karl Marx in 1848, which called for the proletariat to rise against capitalist societies.
2. He provided financial support to Marx during his life, allowing Marx to focus on his research and writing without economic hardship.
3. Engels expanded on Marx's theories by analyzing the social and economic conditions of workers in England, particularly during the Industrial Revolution.
4. After Marx's death in 1883, Engels continued to promote Marxist theory and published several works to clarify and expand on their ideas.
5. Engels believed that the emancipation of the working class required not only economic change but also social and political revolutions.

Review Questions

• How did Friedrich Engels' collaboration with Karl Marx shape the development of Marxist theory?
  • Friedrich Engels' collaboration with Karl Marx was pivotal in shaping Marxist theory, as they jointly developed concepts like class struggle and historical materialism. Engels brought practical insights from his observations of working-class conditions in England, which complemented Marx's economic analysis. Their combined efforts resulted in foundational texts like 'The Communist Manifesto,' which articulated a revolutionary vision for the working class.
• Discuss the significance of Engels' work 'The Condition of the Working Class in England' in understanding early industrial society.
  • Engels' work 'The Condition of the Working Class in England' is significant because it provides a detailed account of the harsh realities faced by workers during the Industrial Revolution. In this text, Engels documents the exploitation, poor living conditions, and social injustices prevalent at the time, which served as both a critique of capitalism and a call for social change. His firsthand observations highlighted the urgent need for reform and underscored the importance of class consciousness among workers.
• Evaluate how Engels' ideas on class struggle can be applied to contemporary labor movements.
  • Engels' ideas on class struggle remain relevant today as they provide a framework for understanding ongoing conflicts between labor and capital. Contemporary labor movements often reflect issues such as wage stagnation, worker exploitation, and demands for better working conditions. By applying Engels' concept of class struggle, activists can analyze current socioeconomic inequalities and mobilize workers to advocate for their rights within an increasingly globalized economy. This relevance illustrates how foundational Marxist thought continues to inform modern political discourse regarding labor rights.

Related terms

Karl Marx:

A German philosopher and economist whose ideas about capitalism, class struggle, and historical materialism laid the foundation for modern socialism and communism.

Historical Materialism: The methodological approach developed by Marx and Engels that analyzes societal development through the lens of material conditions and economic factors rather than ideals or ethics.

Class Struggle: The conflict between different classes in society, particularly between the bourgeoisie (capitalists) and the proletariat (working class), which Engels and Marx believed was the driving force behind social change.