Conflict Structuralism Flashcards
Define Marx’s idea of Economic Determinism.
Means of production make the base of society, which determines the superstructure of society e.g the institutions.
According to Marx, what is the role of the superstructure?
To legitimise the role of the ruling class. Institutions e.g schools are set up to make it seem okay for there to be a ruling class that controls everything.
What is Marx’s idea of False Consciousness?
The messages in different institutions lure the proletariat into a false consciousness so that they are not aware of the oppression.
What did Marx argue was the key to resisting oppression?
The proletariat need to have a revolution which would lead to a socialist society.
What are the new models created by Neo-Marxists that are relevant to the modern world?
Humanistic Marxism (Gramsci) - argued that control comes from ideas as well as economics, as the ruling class controls the media and education, a new way of organising society needs to be created to have a revolution. Althusser - argued people cannot create a new idea of society. Says capitalism will be overthrown when the economy, politics and ideas are conflicted.
What are the criticisms of the Marxist approach?
Assumes oppression is inevitable until a revolution happens.
Traditional Marxism ignores gender and ethnicity.
Fall of communism in Europe is seen as evidence for flaws of Marxism, however some say it wasn’t true communism.
Increased consensual nature of society suggests lack of conflict.
Weber said there’s conflict between social groups as well as owner/worker conflict.
What do liberal feminists believe?
The main cause of inequality is lack of opportunities for women in work, education and politics.
They believe in working alongside men e.g the equal pay act.
Why can liberal feminists be criticised?
Radical feminists says that they don’t recognise the patriarchal views rooted in social life e.g the family, as well as institutions.
What do radical feminists believe?
The structure of society is based on the oppression of women and revolutionary change is needed.
Millett says regardless of class, all women are expected to be subservient to men.
Millett argues there is a form of politics in all relationships featuring a power imbalance which keeps women in their roles in the family, education and religion.
Millett says women internalise patriarchy and see themselves as inferior.
What do marxist feminists believe?
Capitalism benefits from the exploitation of women as they look after their homes and children for free.
Ansley claims women bare the brunt of their husbands’ work frustrations from capitalist employers.
