Class Inequality: Marxist explanations of Class Inequality Flashcards
Do Marxists believe there is social mobility?
No
How many classes does Marx argue there are in society?
2 classes
What are the two classes, according to Marx?
Bourgeoisie, Proletariat
Who are the Bourgeoisie?
The ruling class
What do the ruling class control the means of?
Means of production
What are the interests of the bourgeoisie in society?
Make more profit to get richer
Who are the proletariat?
The working class
What do the working class sell so that they can survive?
Their labor
What 2 ways does Marx say the bourgeoisie exploit the working class in terms of their conditions and pay?
Give them low wages, make them have poor working conditions
What are the interests of the proletariat in society?
To overthrow the capitalist system
Why is it difficult for the proletariat to overthrow capitalism?
The bourgeoisie keep them poor
What is the networth of Jeff Bezos?
£100 billion
Give an example of a poor working condition in Amazon for delivery drivers
They have to wait in unheated rooms
What would Functionalists argue about the Marxist explanation of class inequality?
It is unrealistic
What did Durkheim say about class inequality?
There needs to be some class inequality for society to run properly
What 3 things does Durkheim say class inequality is? (U, F, I)
Universal, Functional, Inevitable
What analogy do Functionalists say class inequality fits into?
Organic analogy
What does it mean if class inequality is part of the organic analogy?
Class inequality is essential to prevent anomie
What would Durkheim say would happen if there was no class inequality?
Society would enter a state of anomie
What does it mean if society is in a state of anomie?
People do not know which norms and values to follow
Which Marxists said there was a vast portion of the proletariat who were unemployed?
Marx and Engels
What group of people exists in a capitalist society if the proletariat revolt?
The reserve army of labor
What will the reserve army of labor accept if the employed proletariat try and go on strike or revolt?
They will work for lower pay
How is class inequality maintained if there is a reserve army of labor?
The bourgeoisie can continue to make profit
What percentage of the UK does ONS Data have shown to be consistently unemployed since the 1970s?
At least 3% of the UK working population are unemployed
What would the New Right say about the unemployed reserve army of labor?
They choose not to work
Which New Right sociologist argues there is an underclass in society?
Murray
What culture does Murray say the underclass have?
Dependency culture
According to Murray, why has a dependency culture developed in the underclass?
They rely on benefits to fund their lives
What does it mean if the underclass have benefits to fund their lives?
There is no incentive for them to work
Which institution do Marxists argue the bourgeoisie own to maintain class inequality?
The media
What does Althusser argue the media creates for the working class?
Creates a false class consciousness
What is a false class consciousness?
The working class do not know they are being exploited
What do Marxists say will not be able to happen if the working class experience false class consciousness?
They will be unable to revolt against capitalism
What does Althusser say the media is part of?
Ideological State Apparatus
What is the ideological state apparatus?
The institutions in society that enforce ruling class norms and values
What percentage of British media sources are owned by 2 billionaires?
50% of British media sources
How does the media treat working class individuals who are trying to fight for equality?
They demonise them
Who was the leader of a railway trade union?
Mick Lynch
What did the media call Mick Lynch when railroad workers went on strike in December 2022?
“Mick Grinch”
Why did Mick Lynch call a strike?
He wanted better pay and working conditions for his workers
What does Media Coalition Reform (2021) Data show about the percentage of online newspapers owned by 5 companies?
5 companies own 80% of online news sources
What other form of apparatus does Althusser say the ruling class can use?
Repressive state apparatus
Name one repressive state apparatus institution
The police force
What does Althusser say about repressive state apparatus usage?
It is only used if absolutely necessary
What would Postmodernists say about the Marxist explanation of the media enforcing inequality?
They would say its outdated
What would Lyotard say Marxism is?
An outdated metanarrative
What would Lyotard say about how people get news in the present day?
They get it from a variety of sources
Name 2 apps which can act to give people news
Facebook, Twitter
Which institution do Marxists say enforces inequality from a young age?
The education system
Which Marxists said education spreads the myth of meritocracy?
Bowles and Gintis
According to Bowles and Gintis, what do working class students blame their failure in school on?
Blame it on themselves
What form of deprivation in terms of buying things makes it much harder for working class students to do well in education?
Material deprivation
Which sociologists said working class students face barriers to learning?
Smith and Noble
Name 2 barriers to learning
Not being able to buy textbooks for revision, Not having a desk to do work on
Why will not having a desk at home make it difficult for working class students to do well in school?
They will not have anywhere to do their work
What would Functionalists say to argue against Marxist views on education creating class inequality?
Education is genuinely meritocratic
Which Functionalist said society overall was meritocratic?
Parsons
According to Parsons, what will it mean if the education system is meritocratic?
No matter a student’s class background, if they work hard they will be able to succeed in school
What would Parsons say causes working class students to fail in education?
They have not worked hard enough
