Marxism and Feminist Theory – Key Vocabulary

These flashcards cover the principal vocabulary terms, figures, and concepts discussed in the lecture notes on Marxism and Feminist Theory, providing a concise reference for exam preparation.

Marxism

A sociological, political, and economic philosophy developed by Karl Marx that explains history and society through class struggle and advocates a classless, communist society.

The Communist Manifesto

1848 pamphlet by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels that outlines class struggle, critiques capitalism, and calls for proletarian revolution.

Bourgeoisie

The capitalist class that owns the means of production (factory owners).

Proletariat

Industrial workers who sell their labor to the bourgeoisie.

Exploitation

Relationship in which the bourgeoisie profits from the labor of the proletariat through low wages and poor working conditions.

Social Inequality (Marxist sense)

Unequal distribution of wealth and power resulting from exploitation between bourgeoisie and proletariat.

Ideological Control

Process by which the ruling class spreads its ideas through institutions, securing consent of the masses.

False Class Consciousness

Workers’ acceptance of capitalist values that mask their own exploitation, delaying revolt.

Class Conflict / Class Struggle

Antagonism between bourgeoisie and proletariat that Marx believed would culminate in revolution.

Communist Society

Post-revolution, classless system with communal ownership of the means of production.

Karl Marx

German thinker regarded, with Engels, as a Father of Marxist Theory; emphasized historical materialism and class struggle.

Friedrich Engels

Collaborator of Marx who co-authored The Communist Manifesto and helped develop Marxist theory.

V. Gordon Childe

Australian archaeologist who used Marxist economics to explain pre-history; linked food surplus to class emergence.

Theodor Adorno

German philosopher; co-author of Dialectic of Enlightenment; analyzed capitalist culture and commodity fetishism.

Fetishism of Commodities

Attributing intrinsic value and desire to consumer goods, masking the labor relations behind them.

Slavoj Žižek

Slovenian philosopher who argues that ideology constructs reality; notes charitable consumerism under capitalism.

Historical Materialism

Marx’s idea that technological change in production drives societal transformation.

Historical Determinism

View that economic factors alone dictate social change; criticized as overly narrow.

Feminism

Ideology and movement seeking women’s emancipation and equality, critiquing patriarchy.

Patriarchy

System in which men hold primary power and dominate social, political, and economic spheres.

Radical Feminism

Branch viewing male domination as the oldest oppression; seeks to overthrow the sex-gender system entirely.

Liberal Feminism

Branch asserting that all people are naturally equal and advocates legal reforms to guarantee women’s equal opportunities.

Socialist Feminism

Perspective that women’s oppression intersects with class and other divisions; calls for coalition with men for equality.

Ecofeminism

Theory linking patriarchy’s oppression of women with environmental exploitation, stressing women’s bond with nature.

Cultural Feminism

View that women’s inherent traits (kindness, cooperation) are preferable and would improve society if dominant.

Gender Inequality

Systematic differences in power, resources, and status based on gender.

Gender Stratification

Social structure that ranks people and allocates resources based on perceived sex/gender.

Sex (Biological)

Biological traits—primary and secondary sex characteristics—that differentiate males and females.

Gender (Social)

Culturally defined roles, behaviors, and expectations considered appropriate for men and women.

Gender Equality

Principle that men and women should have equal rights, responsibilities, and opportunities.

Gender Equity

Fair and just distribution of benefits and responsibilities between women and men.

Gender Empowerment

Process of women gaining power, self-confidence, and control over life decisions and resources.

First Wave Anti-feminism

Opposition to early feminist aims like suffrage and higher education, rooted in traditional and religious values.

Commodity Surplus (Childe)

Excess food production that enabled specialization and the rise of distinct social classes.