Vom Faustkeil zur Fabrik

Rauter's book, published in 1977, is a textbook on the method of viewing the course of history developed by Marx and Engels - historical materialism. What may seem complicated at first glance is by no means academic. The author aimed to present complex content clearly and understandably, because "the effort for better style is an effort for more democratic conditions." Democratic conditions can only exist with the involvement of as many people as possible, under circumstances that allow them to take their fate into their own hands. For this, they must learn to understand why things are the way they are, why there are rich people, why they live off the labor of others, and how we are subjects. These insights must not be reserved for a minority with university degrees if they are to have significance for the people. Unfortunately, this is an attitude that many authors - including those on the left - lack. Therefore, this book, like Rauter's writings as a whole, remains of great value for anyone who wants to understand why things have become the way they are.