Sociology: Marxist Perspectives on Education

Vocabulary flashcards covering core Marxist and Neo-Marxist theories in sociology, their views on education, social institutions, and criticisms.

Marxism

A structural conflict theory that suggests class conflicts exist in society.

Bourgeoisie vs Proletariats

The competing social classes in Marxist theory, divided by their relationship to the means of production.

False Class Consciousness

A condition developed through social institutions passing down capitalistic values.

Criticisms of Marxism

Critiques highlighting that it predicted a revolution that never happened and ignores the fact that people are ignorant to exploitation.

Marxist View of Education

The perspective that education prepares children for work by instilling values and skills needed by employers, upholds capitalist conceptions of society, and justifies inequality through meritocracy and equality of opportunity.

Hidden Curriculum (Bowles and Gintis)

The transmission of values like hierarchy and meritocracy that prepares children for the world of work through structural similarities between school and work.

Neomarxist Theory

A sociological theory arguing that education passes on the ideology of capitalism.

Ideological State Apparatus (Althusser)

Althusser's concept for social institutions, such as education, that pass on capitalist ideology and create obedient workers.

Meritocracy (Marxist View)

A concept viewed negatively by Marxists because it is believed to hide class divide and inequality in education.