Marxism and ideology

Use of R/C ideology

• To maintain FCC by legitimising and justifying status quo

3 elements of R/C ideology

1. Equality goes against hN

2. Victim-blaming

3. Racism to divide

Victim-blaming — Bowles and Gintis

• ‘Poor are dumb’ theory of meritocracy

  • Supposedly everyone has an equal chance so poor are poor because they’re stupid/lazy

Gramsci — R/C ideological domination

• Hegemony

Gramsci — way to overtake hegemony

• W/C can develop ideas to challenge this as have dual consciousness

Gramsci — dual consciousness

• R/C ideology + ideas developed from being exploited

  • Therefore can develop CC and overthrow capitalism, but also need organic intellectuals

CRITICISM of Marxism and ideology — Abercrombie et al (2015)

• Economic factors e.g. fear of unemployment prevent workers from rebelling