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What is the difference between historical materialism and idealism?
Historical materialism and idealism are two different philosophical viewpoints, and their views on the nature of the world, historical development and social phenomena are quite different:

1. Views on the nature of the world:

Historical materialism: Historical materialism holds that matter is the origin and foundation of the world, and the material world exists objectively. The movement and development of matter determines the development of consciousness and society. Historical materialism emphasizes that matter determines consciousness, and consciousness is the product of matter.

-idealism: idealism holds that consciousness or mind is the source and the only reality of the world, and the material world is only the product or representation of consciousness. Idealism emphasizes that consciousness determines matter, and matter is the product of consciousness.

2. Views on historical development:

-Historical materialism: Historical materialism holds that social history is the history of class struggle, and the replacement of social system is caused by the intensification and resolution of social contradictions. It emphasizes that the development of social history is due to the changes of material productivity and production relations.

-idealism: unlike historical materialism, idealism does not attach importance to the factors of economic and social structure, but emphasizes the influence of consciousness, concept and culture on social history.

3. Views on social phenomena:

-Historical materialism: Historical materialism explains the essence of social phenomena and social movements through the analysis of social economic foundation and superstructure. It holds that social phenomena are determined by the interaction and conflict between economic base and superstructure.

-idealism: idealism tends to analyze social phenomena from the level of consciousness and thought, emphasizing that the emergence and development of social phenomena are due to people's subjective consciousness and ideas.

There are obvious differences between historical materialism and idealism in their views on the nature of the world, historical development and social phenomena. Historical materialism emphasizes the decisive role of matter, class struggle in social history and the change of material productivity; Idealism emphasizes the decisive role of consciousness and the influence of consciousness and culture on social phenomena.