Althusser's Marxism

Question 1

What does Althusser reject Marx’s model in favour of?

Answer 1

Craib’s structural determinism model. Shows how politcial and ideological levels have some autonomy and are not reflections of the economic level

Question 2

Examples of RSAs and ISAs

Answer 2

RSAs- police, military

ISAs- education, family, religion etc.

Question 3

What type of marxist is Althusser?

Answer 3

Structuralist

Question 4

How will socialism come about?

Answer 4

A crisis of capitalism resulting from over determination- the contradiction of Craib’s 3 structures which cause the collapse ofthe system overall

Question 5

Thompson’s criticism

Answer 5

Accuses Althusser of elitism- the belief that the communist party knows whats best for works who should blindly follow the party

Question 6

Criticism of Althusser’s economic determinism

Answer 6

Despite being opposed to economic determinism he replaces it with structural determinism