historical materialism: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

Historical materialism is the application of materialist principles to understand history and society, focusing on economic development. Dialectical materialism is the broader philosophical worldview encompassing nature, thought, and society, of which historical materialism is a part.

It is primarily associated with Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, who developed its core ideas in works like 'The German Ideology' and the preface to 'A Contribution to the Critique of Political Economy'.

A common debate. Classical formulations emphasize economic structures as determining in the 'last instance', but many later Marxists (e.g., Gramsci) argued for a more complex interaction between economic base and cultural/political superstructure, rejecting simple economic determinism.

Primarily in academic fields like Marxist historiography, critical sociology, political economy, and cultural studies. It provides a framework for analyzing the relationship between economic systems, power, and social change.

The Marxist theory that historical development and social change result from material and economic conditions rather than ideas, emphasizing class struggle and modes of production as primary forces.

Historical materialism is usually academic, theoretical, philosophical in register.

Historical materialism: in British English it is pronounced /hɪˌstɒrɪkəl məˈtɪəriəlɪzəm/, and in American English it is pronounced /hɪˌstɔːrɪkəl məˈtɪriəlɪzəm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.