Above all, dialectical materialism is the conception of the world which conforms with the interests of the self-emancipation of the working class and the struggle for communism and human fulfilment. Marx's philosophy is partisan because reality is partisan. Thought and philosophy could not be neutral because they are parts of a world in struggle. In our epoch that struggle, and the principle contradiction determining the fate of humanity, is the struggle between capital and labour. Those who asserted the primacy of spirit to Nature and, therefore, in the last instance, assumed world creation in some form or other comprised the camp of Idealism.
Materialists believe that Nature or matter is primary to spirit or ideas.
Working class suffering is a result of real material conditions, these conditions can be changed, and hated social systems overthrown to allow a new society to be built free from exploitation. Until people have seen the material, class interests behind moral, religious and political phrases they will always be deceived and incapable of changing the conditions which they live to their maximum benefit. This is the task of Marxism-Leninism. Plato, for example, held that society should be ruled by philosopher kings. He saw the great creations of humanity as the work of individual sparks of divine inspiration.