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Karl Marx theorized that the social structures of a society were determined by its economic structures. The concept he developed, which he named “the materialist conception of history”, is today known as historical materialism. In brief, Marx proposed sociopolitical change proceeded as follows: Technological innovations unlock a new, more effective mode of production. Society reorganizesContinue reading “Historical Militarism”

There’s a contemporary assumption that the goal of progress (whether technological, political, or otherwise) is to make people happier. Steve Pinker defends progress on the grounds that economic advances have made the world a better place than it has ever been. In 1930, John Maynard Keynes predicted everyone would be working less than 15 hourContinue reading “Progress: People, Production, and Power.”