INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGICAL THEORIES - MARXISM

Who was Marxism created by?

A german philospher, Karl Marx

What was Karl Marx's theory based on?

The struggles of the working class during the Industrial Revolution in Europe

What was the Industrial Revolution?

When people moved from rural areas (the countryside) to cities due to factories being built, jobs becoming open

What did Marx believe about society?

Marx explained that there are power relationships between the capitalists and the workers who he beloved were being exploited - eventually causing class conflict

What were the 2 categories called that Marx grouped society into?

• Proletariat

• Bourgeoise

Who were the Proletariat?

The factory workers, people of the lower class

Who was the bourgeois?

The factory/business owners

What did he think the proletariat did to the bourgeois?

Exploited them to make significant profits

What companies exploit their workers?

• SHEIN

• Zara

• Amazon

• Evri

• Apple

What was introduced in the Industrial Revolution which Marx felt increased the level of labour?

Machinery - as workers had the complete more work/ work for longer hours

What was the name of the event Marx expected to occur?

"Proletariat revolution" which would result in a classless society

Who built on Karl Marx's ideas?

A fellow German philosopher, Friedrich Engels

What was the political pamphlet called that Karl Marx and Friedrich Engles wrote together?

"Communist manifesto"

What did the "communist manifesto" outline?

The need to overthrow the capitalist society

What did Karl Marx and Friedrich Engles both believe?

That all power should be held by the state so everyone else equal (a classless society)

What countries have adopted the communist ideology?

-China

-North Korea

-Russia

What are advantages of communism?

• less rebellions/tension

• everyone would be equal

What are disadvantages of communism?

• the economy would fall apart

• there would be nothing for people to work towards, so people would not try as hard

What is a consensus society?

Where society comes to a broad agreement, in the absence of conflict

What is a conflict society? (and what did Marx believe?)

The belief that both classes exist in society and live in conflict with eachother (Marx believed there was a constant class conflict)

What did Marx feel that the proletariat would develop towards the exploitation?

a "consciousness" to the exploitation

What did Marx believe this would cause?

the proletariat would rise up against their capitalist leaders and overthrow society