Marxism

What three things perpetuate the capitalist system?

Education, Legal system and religion 

Define Historical Materialism

The mode of production determines social relations, institutions, and ideologies of society.

What are two ways that capitalism is maintained by capitalists directly

1) Competition between capitalists 

2) The pressure to pay the lowest possible wages in order to gain maximum surplus value

How does Marx believe capitalism should be overthrown?

Through a Proletariat revolt - abolish the state and create a classless communist society

Then exploitation would be abolished as it would replace private ownership with social ownership and end alienation as humans would regain control over their labour and products 

weaknesses of Marxism 

Communism has not worked in practice 

The capacity of capitalism to reform 

Simplicity of class - no subdivisions

Simplistic view of inequality - only based on class

There has been no worker’s revolt as he predicted 

Proletariat has shrunk not grown 

Strengths of Marxism

Seen in global wealth disparity 

Seen in the corruption of capitalism

The importance of free access to things such as healthcare and education which can be seen in places like America where poverty is significantly higher than welfare-based countries like the UK.

How does education perpetuate the capitalist system?

it is designed to prepare people for work by teaching them to be obedient and accept authority

How does the legal system perpetuate the capitalist system?

the wealthy can afford top lawyers and the police ignore crimes committed by wealthy groups nd target the poor

How does religion perpetuate the capitalist system 

teaches the poor to be good so that they are rewarded in the afterlife + stops people from rebelling against the system/revolting which benefits the business owners 

What are the three main criticisms of marxism

1) The worker’s revolution that Marx predicted has failed to happen

2) Working conditions have improved

3) People are not brainwashed as we have free will to believe what we want

Define Neo-marxism

Sociological theories which draw on Marx’s ideas but amends and extends them

Who are the two key Neo-marxists?

Gramsci and Althusser 

What is Gramsci’s key idea?

Hegemony is how capitalism is maintained

Define hegemony

The implementation of ideology through leadership/dominance

How does hegemony relate to the capitalist system?

Leaders set up society to persuade the subordinate class that the way it is (capitalism) is common sense and the only possible way in order to get them to consent to their exploitation

What things make it possible for the ruling class hegemony to be undermined?

The fact that the ruling class are the minority

Proletariat have a ‘dual consciousness’

Organic intellectuals

What is a ‘dual consciousness’ versus a ‘false consciousness’?

False consciousness = Being unaware of one’s social/economic situation - proletariat is unaware of their exploitation due to ruling class control.

Dual consciousness = people have beliefs based on their own life experiences which oppose the beliefs that they were socialised into - proletariat is aware of their exploitation despite ruling class hegemony but are unable to revolt.

What Is an organic intellectual?

someone from a working class background who decides their own beliefs, disregarding how the ruling class wants people to be socialised. 

What is the problem with organic intellectuals?

As the ruling class control the education system and work it against the working class, there aren’t enough properly educated members of the working class.

What is Althusser’s RSA?

Repressive State Apparatus

Police, military, prisons

What is Althusser’s ISA?

Ideological State Apparatus

Education, Religion, Family 

Define Althusser’s Base

The economic foundation of society

Consists of the forces of production (raw materials, technology, labour) and the relations of production (class structures and economic relationships)

What is the function of Althusser’s base?

Determines how a society creates and distributes necessities.

Dominant aspect of society which influences all the elements of the superstructure.

Define Althusser’s Superstructure 

The non-economic parts of society which are influence by the base such as law, politics and religion 

What is the function of Althusser’s Superstructure

Reinforces the economic system and can influence the base however the base is the dominant influence