Key Vocabulary from Marxist Theory Lecture

This set of flashcards covers key vocabulary and concepts from Marxist theory as discussed in the lecture, aiding in understanding and exam preparation.

Industrial Revolution

A period marked by the transition from hand production methods to machines, impacting production, infrastructure, and the economy.

Bourgeoisie

The capitalist class that owns the means of production, contrasted with the working class.

Proletariat

The working class that sells labor for wages and does not own the means of production.

Superstructure

The cultural, ideological, and institutional elements of society, shaped by the underlying economic base.

Base/Infrastructure

The means of production and relations of production that form the economic reality of society.

Historical Materialism

The Marxist theory that economic forces drive historical development and societal changes.

Technology Revolution

Rapid advancements in technology that significantly enhance production and societal development.

Exploitation

The process by which capitalists derive surplus value from the labor of workers, who receive only a fraction of the total value they produce.

Alienation

A condition where workers become estranged from the products they create, their work, and their own humanity.

Class Struggle

The conflict between different classes in society, primarily between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat.

Critique of the Gotha Programme

Marx's examination of socialist proposals that critiques the notion of fair distribution and emphasizes the transition towards communism.

Dual Revolution

The simultaneous economic and political transformations occurring in society, notably during the 19th century.

Means of Production

The physical and non-physical inputs used in the production of goods, including tools, machinery, and labor.

Relations of Production

The social relationships that people enter into as they acquire and use the means of production.

Materialism

The philosophical stance that material conditions and economic factors largely shape societal structures and ideas.

Capitalism

An economic system where private ownership of the means of production exists and goods are produced for profit.

Communism

A political and economic ideology advocating for a classless society in which all property is publicly owned.

Robin Hood Thesis

Concept suggesting that capitalists exploit workers by appropriating surplus value, akin to theft.

Necessary Labor

The amount of labor required to produce goods to meet the worker's own subsistence.

Surplus Labor

Labor performed beyond what is necessary for the worker's own subsistence, generating profit for capitalists.

Ideology

A system of ideas and ideals that serves to justify and perpetuate the dominant social order.

Dialectical Materialism

A philosophy of science and nature that emerged from Marx's ideas, emphasizing the importance of material conditions in historical change.

Labor Theory of Value

The economic theory that the value of a product is determined by the labor hours necessary to produce it.

Class Consciousness

The awareness of one's social class and its interests, crucial for revolutionary action according to Marx.

Freedom

A central value in Marxist thought, referring to the emancipation from economic constraints and social oppression.

Socialism

A political and economic theory advocating for the means of production to be owned and regulated by the community.

Contribution Principle

A principle in economic distribution based on what individuals contribute in labor, critiqued by Marx.

From Each According to His Ability, To Each According to His Needs

The socialist principle advocating for distribution based on need rather than labor contribution.

Oppressor-Oppressed Dichotomy

Marxist theory describing the relationship between ruling classes (oppressors) and working classes (oppressed).

Surplus Value

The difference between the value produced by labor and the actual wage paid to the laborer.

Collective Ownership

A concept in which the means of production are owned by the community as a whole.

Unemployment

The condition of having insufficient work or jobs available, problematic under capitalist systems.

Alienated Labor

Labor that is not a fulfilling or meaningful activity to the laborer, reducing the laborer's connection to their work.

Sociopolitical Structure

The interrelation of social and political factors that influence the organization and functioning of society.