In this episode of the House of Dissent podcast, the host introduces Marx's Materialist Conception of History, explaining how modes of production emerge and collapse and discussing the division of labour, class consciousness, and alienation.

The episode contrasts Marx's materialist critique of Hegelian idealism, notes modern responses (including Xi Jinping's take on scientific socialism), and previews two follow-up episodes that dive deeper into alienation and the contemporary relevance of historical materialism.