Engels presents historical materialism as a tool one can use to diagnose social ills. Through observation (e.g., the study of history, engagement with politics) and materialist inquiry, Engels ascertains that economic and technological advances propel social and political change. According to Engels, one of the most significant results of historical development is class antagonism.

Engels states that modern class antagonism began under the European feudal system: “The separation of society into an exploiting and an exploited class, a ruling and an oppressed class, was the necessary consequences of the deficient and restricted development of production in former times” (79). When feudalism was replaced by capitalism, he continues, this problem only intensified. According to Engels, Class antagonism is not a mistake of capitalism’s development, but rather an essential feature. Thus, to end systemic exploitation, social class must be abolished—a feat which can only be achieved with the destruction of capitalism.

The Marxist understanding of class antagonism revolves around the belief that class structures are inherently exploitative. The lowest classes (i.e., the proletariat) are automatically exploited by the

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