The Housing Question

Historical Context and Significance

Friedrich Engels' book «The Housing Question», written in 1872, is an important work in Marxist theory, dedicated to analyzing the housing problem in the context of capitalist society. Engels views the housing question as an integral part of a broader social and economic system, asserting that the roots of the problem lie in the capitalist mode of production. He critiques bourgeois solutions to the housing question, such as the construction of cheap housing, pointing out their temporary and superficial nature. Engels emphasizes that the true solution to the housing problem is possible only through a socialist revolution and a change in the social order. This work has significantly influenced the development of Marxist theory and practice, as well as subsequent discussions on social policy and urban planning. The book remains relevant in the context of contemporary debates on housing affordability and social justice.