2. Marxism Flashcards
What type of theory is Marxism?
A conflict theory
Conflict theory
Believes society is based on a conflict of interests between social classes of unequal power and wealth
Is society stable or unstable? Why?
Instable because society only exists due to the ruling class imposing their values on us. Revolutionary change could happen suddenly at any time
Who founded Marxism and why?
Marx founded it. He wanted to look at the harm being caused to society by a shift into modern industrial society as well as the promise it could bring
Two reasons why capitalism would eventually turn into communism according to Marx
A capitalist society would increase human misery and inevitably evolve into a communist classless society.
Proletariat would develop its own consciousness and realise the exploitation they’re under
Historical materialism
Material needs are met through work in society. Our society has a capitalist mode of production which forms the economic basis for society
Class society and exploitation
No class in earliest human society, just primitive communism where everyone worked and everyone shared
Exploitation of labourers for benefit of owners in capitalist society.
Surplus product is controlled (workers just have enough for material needs and maybe a little extra to save to afford something that the owners may have)
How are owners gaining more control and workers gaining less?
Competition results in ownership being in less hands
Desire to maximise profits results in lower wages
Technological advances are reducing the workforce, creating more efficient production and increasing profits of owners (E.g. self-checkouts at supermarkets)
What does the class that owns the means of production also own?
The production of ideas
What is alienation and what causes it?
Alienation is the loss of control over our own labour and its products.
Due to workers having no control over forces of production and repeating mindless tasks
How is Marxism criticised?
Too simplistic
One-dimensional view of inequality (only on class)
Fails to recognise free will
Economic determinism
What are the two approaches of neo-Marxism?
Humanistic Marxism
Scientific Marxism
Key humanistic neo-Marxist
Gramsci
Gramsci (4)
Humanistic neo-Marxist
Focuses on alienation and people’s subjective experiences of the world
Believes in volunteerism - the belief that humans have free will and their consciousness is central in changing the world
Socialism will come when people become conscious of the need to overthrow capitalism
Gramsci’s criticism of traditional Marxism
Underestimated ability of proletariat to resist ruling class power. Saw w/c as having no free will
