Social Sciences in China (Chinese Edition)

No. 9, 2025

The Spatial Thought of Marx and Engels

(Abstract)

Dong Hui

Space is not only an objective mode of material existence but also a vital medium for the historical construction of social relations and the development of civilization. From the standpoint of historical materialism, Marx and Engels profoundly revealed the social nature of space as a product of social relations. They further extended their inquiry to a profound theoretical critique of how capitalist modes of production shape spatial forms and exacerbate social contradictions, highlighting the dialectical relationship between spatial forms evolution and social contradictions. Building on the understanding of space as a key to uncovering the laws and mechanisms of historical development, they examined spatial relations and transformations across different social forms from a broader perspective, exploring how Eastern societies could pursue their own paths of development grounded in their unique spatial conditions, while seeking alternatives that transcend the spatial alienation of capitalism. A deeper study of Marx and Engels’ spatial thought thus carries theoretical significance for constructing a spatial philosophy oriented toward a new form of human advancement.