Conflict structuralism

Question 1

What are conflict structuralists?

Answer 1

See society as a system of parts but they clash e.g marxists and feminists

Question 2

What do Marxists argue the capitalist system has created?

Answer 2

Marx - two classes (bourgeoisie and proletariat) with different needs

Question 3

From a Marxist perspective, what is the purpose of social institutions?

Answer 3

to stop the working class from gaining power and legitimize their control of everything

Question 4

What is a false consciousness?

Answer 4

the idea that the working class are tricked into not seeing the oppression and not knowing how to break free from it

Question 5

How can Marxists be criticized?

Answer 5

1. assumes oppression is inevitable for the working class
2. assumes that the working class are passive victims
3. assumes the working class are unaware of inequalities
4. Ethnicity and gender are ignored
5. fall of communism in eastern Europe highlights flaws of marxism
6. Weber - there’s conflict between all types of social groups e.g parties, genders etc

Question 6

What are the aims of liberal feminism?

Answer 6

equal rights for women e.g equal pay act

Question 7

What are the aims of radical feminism?

Answer 7

want revolutionary change:
Millett - patriarchy is most fundamental form of inequality in all aspects of society eg family, religion and education
Millett - women internalize patriarchy

Question 8

What are the aims of marxist feminists?

Answer 8

make people aware that capitalism is to blame:
Ansley - capitalism benefits from exploitation of women as they provide free care for workers
double burden