EDUCATION - MARXIST PERSPECTIVE OF EDUCATION

RECAP - "I believe that people only have children to have someone to pass their wealth onto" - which Marxist?

Friedrich Engles

RECAP - "I have my own opinions on the warm bath theory. I call it the cushioning effect" - which Marxist

Zaretsky

RECAP - "I am the father of Marxism" - which Marxist

Karl Marx

What type of theory is Functionalism?

A consensus theory

What types of theory is Marxism?

A conflict theory

What are the 2 classes Marxists believe exist in society?

• capitalists class - bourgeoise (they own the means of production - land, factories, machinery), they exploit the proletariat for their labour

• working class - proletariat (forced to sell their labour to the bourgoise) - their work is poorly paid

What do Marxists says these 2 classes creates?

A class conflict

What does Karl Marx believe eventually will happen due to a class conflict?

Karl Marx believed that eventually the proletariat would unite and overthrow the capitalist system - resulting in a classless, equal society

Why don't the proletariat create a revelation against capitalism?

As the bourgeoise control the state who owns the education system

(So education functions to prevent a revolution and maintains capitalism)

How does the state use education to prevent a regulation?

• education teaches obedience and respect for authority

• this makes workers accept hierarchy

• education is seen as meritocratic - which discourages the proletariat to question inequalities - as anyone can succeed if you try

What is the main aim of education?

Mould people to be productive in the workforce

Louis Althusser explains that the state consists of 2 elements to serve to keep the bourgoise in power - what are these called?

1. The repressive state apparatus

2. The ideological state apparatus

What is "the repressive state apparatus"?

These maintain the rule of the bourgeoise by force or threat (police courts and army) - they can use physical force to repress the working class

What is "the ideological state apparatus"?

These maintain the rule of the bourgeoise by controlling peoples ideas, values and beliefs (religion, family, media, education system)

Althusser argues the education system performs 2 functions, what are these?

1. Education reproduces class inequalities - the system fails each generation of working-class students

2. Education justifies class inequalities - producing ideologies (beliefs/ideas) that disguises its true cause

What are the functions of ideologies in education?

Persuade workers to accept the inequality is inevitable and that they deserve their subordinate position in society - if they accept these ideas, then they are less likely to challenge or threaten capitalism

What are some examples of how the education system Mae's students abide by the rules?

• uniform

• time tables

• exams/grading

• hierarchy of staff (teachers, headteachers)

Which sociologist researched education in capitalism America?

Bowles and Gintis

What do Bowles and Gintis argue?

Capitalism requires a a workforce with the kind of attitudes, behavior and personality type suited to their role (alienated and exploited workers are willing to accept hard work, low pay and orders from above)

How did Bowls and Gintis do their research?

They studied 237 New York high school students and found that students who lacked creativity tended to get lower grades and those with obedient characteristics tended to get higher grades

What did Bowles and Gintis conclude from their study?

The school system produces obedient workers that capitalism needs

How does following school rules help you do well in school?

• helps building good habits

• reduces conflict with peers/teachers

• reward for rule following

• positive consequences

What do Bowles and Gintis believe the school system and the workplace system creates?

Hierarchies

What do Bowles and Gintis call the parallels between school and work?

Correspondence principle

What do Bowles and Gintis believe the correspondence principle operates through?

The hidden curriculum

What is hidden curriculum?

Students are being taught to accept hierarchy and competition, working for rewards

What are Bowles and Gintis views on education and meritocracy?

They describe the education system as a "gain myth making machine" such as the "myth if meritocracy"

How do Marxists disagree with the functionalists belief of meritocracy?

Marxists believe the main factor determine if someone does well in life (and has a high income), is due to their family and class, not their ability/educational achievement

What type of capitals do middle/upper classes have?

Human capital (networks of people) and cultural capital (knowledge of the world)

What does the myth of meritocracy mean?

Meritocracy states that everyone has the same chance of succeeding - but this is not true due to family and class (ascribed status and achieved status)

So what does the myth of meritocracy justify?

The privileges of the higher class making it seem like they gained them through succeeding in a fair system

How is the capitalism system unfair?

Puts the working class people at a disadvantage (proletariat will then have to sell their labour to the bourgeoise)

What are some key DIFFERENCES between functionalists and Marxists views of education?

• functionalists believe in role allocation

• Marxists believe in human capital

What are some key SIMILARITIES between functionalists and Marxists views of education?

• education prepares you for the workforce

• parents socialize their children, and education provides secondary socialization

Do Marxists believe inequality has to occur, why?

Yes - if everyone was part of the bourgeoise and ran a business, there would be no workers