Final answer:
Marx's central insights revolve around the influence of economic relations on social structures, the historical struggle between social classes, and the eventual transition from capitalism to socialism and communism, forming a classless society.
Step-by-step explanation:
Karl Marx's central insights into society and economics form the core of Marxist theory. One of his primary contributions is the concept of the 'base and superstructure,' which posits that a society's economic character - its base - fundamentally shapes its culture and social institutions - its superstructure. The importance of economic relationships in determining societal structure is further emphasized in the idea that the history of society is the 'history of class struggles.' This class conflict is framed as the engine driving social and political change toward socialism, and eventually communism. Communism for Marx represented a classless society in which human potential and creative freedom could be fully realized, in contrast to the exploitative nature of capitalism, where the bourgeoisie (owners of the means of production) benefit at the expense of the proletariat (workers).
Marx predicted that the inevitable conflicts inherent in capitalist systems would lead to their collapse, prompting the proletariat to seize control and redistribute wealth for the common good. He espoused that eventually, these class conflicts would culminate in the abolition of classes altogether, forming a classless society. His work details a revolutionary vision where, after the supposed downfall of capitalism, society would rebuild itself on socialist and then communist principles - principles that have been influential in shaping political and economic systems across the world, especially during the twentieth century.