Marxists see history as the history of class struggles among the classes in society. New progressive classes arise that are related to new forms of production and struggle with the old. New forms of society arise appropriate to the new forms of production when the new classes win power. This doctrine is called historical materialism. Marxists see the state as the means whereby the ruling class forcibly maintains its rule over the other classes. A Marxist state would exist fundamentally to ensure materials and goods are dispensed fairly and according to individual need. Liberals see that the state must exist to ensure the liberty of all individuals in its jurisdiction, which may include restraining certain individuals so that they do not encroach another's freedom. Marx's view on the individual was that each man is a creature made in the image of a sovereign God. Rather, man is an essentially social being, with no individual human nature. His whole life is bound up with his social relations. Marxism has an ethical imperative for men to act in ways that correspond with the direction of history. Liberalism sees the individual as a social being, a product of his relationships and social class. However, the ethical imperative for the Liberal individual is to be free, and have no restrictions on attempting to achieve their full potential, except those that serve to maintain the individual freedom of others.