Neo-Marxist Subcultural Theory

What does the Neo-Marxist Subcultural Theory explain?

The existence of subcultures amongst the working class

What does the Neo-Marxist Subcultural Theory argue about how Capitalism maintains control over the majority of the population?

• Ideological dominance through the media

• Economic pressures - people want to keep their jobs and be able to afford their homes

When does the Neo-Marixst Subcultural Theory claim that people can resist Capitalism?

Only the groups on the margin of society are NOT ‘locked in’ by finance and ideology

• largest group of resistance is the WC youth

How does Brake expand on the Neo-Marxist Subcultural Theory?

Resistance is expressed through WC youth subcultures

• clothes & language = disdain of capitalism and their awareness of their position in it

Resistance is best seen as ‘Magical’

What does Brake mean when he describes as WC Youth Subcultures resistance as ‘Magical’

There is a form of illusion that appears to solve their problems, but in reality does no such thing

• each generation of WC youth face similar problems

What does Brake say about generational resistance through subcultures?

Society changes constantly so generations experience very different worlds - only similarity: majority will be exploited by the ruling class

• each generation expresses its resistance through different choice of clothes, argot, music, etc

They will eventually be trapped like their parents

Who does Cohen study to strengthen Blake’s explanation of generational resistance through subcultures?

Skinheads

• short, cropped hair and typically wore work shoes or boots, jeans and sometimes braces

What does Cohen say about Skinheads style reflecting?

Workwear of male manual workers of previous decades

What does Cohen say about Skinheads being involved in?

Involved in football violence and could be hostile, and even violent, towards members of ethnic minorities

What does Cohen argue about the Skinhead subcultures representing?

‘Magical recreation of working-class culture’

What factors does Cohen suggest undermine WC communities which resulted in them creating a subculture of Skinheads?

• physical destruction of older WC housing through urban redevelopments

• loss of jobs in heavy labour

• settlement of members of ethnic minorities in places which were predominately white

Why did the Skinhead Subculture develop? - Cohen

Reaction to changes

• attempts to resist and get a positive sense of identity

• football violence can also been seen as an attempt to defend their ‘territory’ against all the threats from the outside

Is Brake a Traditional Marxist or a Neo-Marxist?

Neo-Marxist

Is Cohen a Traditional Marxist or a Neo-Marxist?

Neo-Marxist