Neo-Marxists on Religion

How does Neo-Marxism differ?

• Evolved in the early 20th century with ideas of the Frankfurt School, Antonio Gramsci and Louis Althusser

• Based on Marxist tradition of inequality and exploitation, but addresses some of the failings of Marx's ideas

• Incorporates elements of Weberian sociology, development theories and economic theories

Views on Religion:

• Antonio Gramsci: Hegemony and Counter-Hegemony

• Louis Althusser: Religion as an Ideological State Apparatus

• Otto Maduro: The role of Liberation theology in challenging ruling class

• Ernst Bloch: The Principle of Hope

Antonio Gramsci:

• Gramsci argued that religion contributed to the hegemonic control of the ruling class

• Religion could be useful in developing counter-hegemony against the ruling class

• Religious leaders could take the role of organic intellectuals popularising ideas that ran counter to those of the ruling class and helping to build rebellion and protest

Louis Althusser:

• Religion acts as a form of social control over the masses

• Acts as an ideological state apparatus - spreading dominant
  ideologies

• Acts as a conservative force that prevents social changes

Otto Maduro:

• Maduro examined the role of religion in providing guidance to the working class and the oppressed as they struggled with the ruling
  class

• Saw Liberation theology as a force for social change, the Catholic Church locally performed a revolutionary role in countries like El Salvador and Guatemala in the fight against their military dictatorships

Ernst Bloch:

• Religion had a dual character - justifying inequality but also encouraging social change

• In the Principle of Hope, Bloch argued that religions did offer people a utopian vision of heaven on Earth

• Offered a way forward for individuals to change society for the
  better

Evaluation:

• Ideas of religion as a form of social change can be seen in Catholicism in South America in the 20th century and in the US Civil Rights Movement

• There has been a rapid process of secularisation, and I would question whether religion today plays an especially significant role in maintaining the dominant ideology

• Religion may act to alleviate conditions of inequality but rarely challenge the ruling-class ideologies