“Social struggles have been taking place throughout millennia, since human beings, by resorting to wars, were able to take hold of a surplus production to satisfy the essential needs of life.”
- August 13, 1926 – November 25, 2016
- Cuban
- Revolutionary, Prime Minister and President of Cuba, Communist Leader
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Quote
“Social struggles have been taking place throughout millennia, since human beings, by resorting to wars, were able to take hold of a surplus production to satisfy the essential needs of life.”
Explanation
This quote presents a historical materialist view of human conflict, asserting that social struggles are deeply rooted in economic conditions. Fidel Castro suggests that from the earliest times, wars were not just about power or ideology, but about controlling surplus production—the extra resources beyond basic survival. This surplus, once seized, allowed some groups to secure their own needs while denying others, giving rise to inequality and the need for struggle. His framing implies that class conflict and exploitation have always been central to human history.
Castro’s perspective reflects the influence of Marxist thought, which sees the struggle over material resources as the driving force of social and political development. In his revolutionary worldview, wars and social upheaval are not anomalies but inevitable results of economic imbalances, especially when wealth and control are concentrated in the hands of a few. This interpretation aligns with his broader belief that lasting peace and justice require the equitable distribution of resources, not merely the end of conflict.
In the modern context, the quote offers insight into the persistent links between economic inequality and global unrest. From colonial conquests to modern-day resource wars and economic sanctions, it underscores how access to food, land, energy, and technology remains a root cause of tension. Castro’s analysis reminds us that without addressing the structural causes of inequality, conflict will continue to resurface in new forms throughout human society.
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