Sociology- Marxism

what type of theory is Marxism?

Marxism is a conflict theory that sees society divided into two main classes: the bourgeoisie (ruling class) and the proletariat (working class)

who are the bourgeoisie?

the ruling class who own the means of production (factories, lands, wealth)

who are the proletariat?

the working class who sell their labour to survive

how do the ruling class maintain power?

through both economic control and ideological control using institutions like education, media, and religion 

what is capitalism?

An economic system where businesses produce more value than workers are paid , and the surplus is taken by the bourgeoisie as profit 

what is exploitation?

when workers create more value than they receive in wages- the ruling class take the surplus as profit

what is ideology in Marxism?

ruling-class ideas spread through institutions to make inequality seem normal and fair

what is false consciousness?

when workers are unaware of their exploitation because ideology blinds them

what is class consciousness?

when workers realise their true position and unite to fight capitalism

what is alienation?

when workers feel powerless and disconnected from their work because they have no control under capitalism e.g. Amazon warehouse workers doing repetitive task with strict timing 

what are base and superstructure?

the base (economy) shapes the superstructure (institutions), which then reinforce ruling-class power

what are surplus value?

the profit made by the bourgeoisie from underpaying workers for their labour

what did Marx predict would happen to capitalism?

it would eventually collapse ad be replaced by communism, a classless society

Who co-wrote the communist manifesto with Marx’s?

Friedrich Engels

what did Engels say about the family?

the nuclear family supports capitalism by passing property and wealth through inheritance.