Marxism

What did Karl Marx believe?

Working class people suffer from false class consciousness.

Social institutions fool the working class into thinking they are getting a fair deal and that their status position is natural and therefore unchangeable.

What is false class consciousness?

Being unaware of the exploitation they experience.

Why does Marx feel the working class are being exploited by the ruling class?

They are seen to be acting for the ‘benefit of society’ . The working class accept and share this view due to the influence that the superstructure has on the public.

What is superstructure?

institutions such as religion, education and family

What type of view to society does Althusser take?

A structural view

Why does Althusser criticise Marx?

He disagrees with his economic deterministic beliefs and believes society is based on three interlocking systems that drive capitalism forward

What are the 3 interlocking systems Althusser believes in?

Economic, Polticial, Ideological

What is the proletariat?

working class

What is hegemony?

Leadership

What did Gramsci believe?

believes the proletariat can influence social change by developing their own hegemony rather than waiting for economic changes

suggests the proletariat construct ‘counter hegemony’ to provide an alternate way of life