The individual and the Marxist view of history

It’s easy to feel powerless as individuals. Everywhere we look, society tells us that there’s nothing we can do to change the world. It can seem like the world is governed by malevolent forces beyond our control or understanding.But history is made by people, and a cursory glance at history shows that individuals can play a giant role at certain points. The problem is not that we’re powerless; it’s that we don’t understand the relationship between our efforts and the great forces that govern the movement of history. Marxism uncovers this relationship. Using this understanding, ordinary people can find their place in the historical process and play a vital role in changing the world.In this presentation from the Western Canadian Marxist Summer School, Daniel DaRosa explains the Marxist understanding of the individual's hole in history. 📖 Further reading:On the Role of the Individual in HistoryThe individual and the Marxist view of historyThe Decisive Role of the Individual in HistoryWhat is historical materialism? [Buy the book here]Recorded July 4, 2026 in Edmonton.