The Origin of the Family, Private Property and the State

In "The Origin of the Family, Private Property, and the State," Friedrich Engels explores the intersections of family structures and economic systems through a Marxist lens, drawing from Lewis H. Morgan's "Ancient Society." Published in 1884, this foundational treatise critiques the patriarchal nature of the traditional monogamous family, arguing that its rise is tied to capitalism and women's subjugation. Engels envisions a future transformed by communism, where communal living replaces the nuclear family and the state becomes obsolete.