theories and methods- marxism

Marxism

Marxism is a macro structural perspective that attempts to study the influence of social institutions on individuals in a scientific manner.

Macro- large-scale approach, exploring analysis

Marxism

Capitalist society is based on the conflict between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat.

The bourgeoisie own the means of production whilst the proletariat hire out their labour in return for a wage.

The bourgeoisie seek to maximise profits or surplus value by exploiting the proletariat.

Marx argued this inequality would increase over time and lead to a polarisation of the classes, which would eventually lead to revolution.

Marx argued that because the bourgeoisie owned the infrastructure of society, they would be able to have control over institutions in society contained in the superstructure, such as family, religion and the education system.

The function of the superstructure was to pass on ruling class ideology to the proletariat and help reproduce and legitimise the inequalities.

As a result, the proletariat are lulled into a false class consciousness as they are brainwashed into believing that capitalism is fair.

Marx argued the proletariat would become a class for itself and wake up to the exploitation and inequality they face and overthrow capitalism with a classless communist society.

Marx believed society should be studied scientifically- he described his theory as scientific socialism.

Marx hypothesis was that after the proletariat revolution, there would be an establishment of the last epoch, communism, which would lead to an end of exploitation and alienation.

Class society exploitation

Ancient society: slaves exploited

Feudal society: desrfs exploited

Capitalism: wage worker exploited.

One class owns means of production and exploits another class

Capitalism

Surplus value: values produced by worker subtract wages paid

Capitalists keep surplus as profit

Capitalists reduce wages to incease profit

Technology can de skill workers

Creates class polarisation- society increasingly divided into bourgeoisie and proletariat.

Ideology

The ruling class controls the means of production and the means of producing ideas.

Law protects the interests of the working class more than the ruling class.

Laws passed appear to help working class but actually benefit the ruling class- free healthcare provides a healthy workforce for capitalists.

Education, religion, and the media spread the ruling class's ideas.

This makes inequality seem natural- false class consciousness.

Once workers develop class consciousness, they may recognise their true position as exploited workers.

Alienation

Separation from our true form of human nature because we lose control over our labour and what we produce.

Workers don’t control the means of production.

Division of labour means workers repeatedly perform small, meaningless tasks.

Workers become disconnected from their creativity and products of labour.

Marx sees the state as protecting the interests of the ruling class.

The state includes the police, army, courts, and prisons.

The proletariat must overthrow the bourgeoisie through revolution.

Communism would end exploitation and alienation, create a classless society and establish social ownership.

Marxism strength

Marxism explains inequality in society. It focuses on private ownership of the means of production and provides an explanation for the extreme social inequalities in wealth, income and power that exist in contemporary societies.

Marxism limitation

Class polarisation hasn’t happened- Marx predicted that the middle class would disappear, when in reality the middle class has grown in many Western countries.

Suggesting society hasn’t become increasingly divided.

However, working-class populations are growing in China and India due to globalisation.