The Origin of the Family, Private Property and the State

Book Review

Friedrich Engels' «The Origin of the Family, Private Property and the State» is a pivotal work in Marxist theory and anthropology. Drawing on the works of Lewis Henry Morgan, Engels explores the evolution of human society from primitive communities to class societies. Critics note that Engels provides a compelling explanation of how economic changes affect social structures, including the family and the state. He argues that the development of private property was a key factor in altering family relations and the emergence of class society. Some critics highlight that, despite its historical significance, the book may contain outdated anthropological data, as it is based on 19th-century research. Nevertheless, Engels' work remains relevant for understanding social and economic changes, as well as for studying the interaction between the economy and social institutions.