The Origin of the Family, Private Property and the State: Engels's Philosophical Treatise on Power and Property (Annotated)

This Annotated Edition Features: Literary History of The 19th Century Key Historical Events From The Era About In "The Origin of the Family, Private Property and the State," Friedrich Engels presents a provocative exploration into the intertwined evolution of the family structure, the concept of private property, and the emergence of the state. Drawing from anthropological, historical, and economic sources, Engels argues that the rise of private property led to the establishment of traditional family roles and, subsequently, the patriarchal system. These developments, he asserts, created a need for the state as an institution to uphold property rights and preserve social order. Engels's insights challenge traditional notions of family and property, suggesting that they are not immutable constructs but products of historical social transformations. Untermann's translation adeptly captures Engels's revolutionary ideas for an English-speaking audience.