education Flashcards
What is Marxism
Marxism is a social, political, and economic philosophy named after Karl Marx, which examines the effect of capitalism on labor, productivity, and economic development and argues for a worker revolution to overturn capitalism in favor of communism.
What is capitalism
an economic system. In it the government plays a secondary role. People and companies make most of the decisions, and own most of the property. … The means of production are largely or entirely privately owned (by individuals or companies) and operated for profit.
Who were the main Marxists
Althusser, Bowles and Gingis, Willis
What was Althusser’s beliefs
Education reproduces class inequality by failing poor people each year
Evaluation of Althusser
Ignores other non class inequalities and doesn’t explain how these inequalities are reproduced.
What was Bowles and Gintis’ beliefs
They think that capitalism requires a work force with the kind of attitudes best suited to their roles.
Bowles and Gintis evaluation
“Myth making machine”- designed to justify inequality by promoting the idea that failure is due to lack of hard work rather than inequalities- meritocracy
Willis’ beliefs
Counter cultures- groups of people which rebel against the rules of institutions
Willis evaluation
He romanticises counter culture groups and makes them seem like heroes. His study was on a small scale so the results were not representative.
Who are the proletariat
The working class
Who are the bourgeoisie
Ruling minority like business owners
Repressive state apparatus
They control the working class by physical control through institutions like the police and military
Ideological state apparatus
Control over the way the working class think which is done through dominant ideology (no force used) like family, religion and education
Correspondence principle
Education mirrors the world of work e.g. teachers + students is an example of hierarchy
What did Durkheim believe(Marxist)
Social solidarity- education system creates this by transmitting societies culture and shared beliefs/ values to young people in the subjects they study
Specialist skills- “society in a miniature” prepares us for life by teaching us key social and work based skills
What did Parsons believe (functionalism)
Particularistic standards (children are judged only by their families expectations Status in society is purely ascribed
Davis and Moore’s beliefs (functionalism)
Role allocation- education is a device for selection but they focus on the relationship between education and social inequality
“Sifts and sorts” people according to ability
Human capital- what skills people possess to ensure the right job goes to the right person
Neo-liberalism
the belief that the state should not be expected to provide services such as education, healthcare and benefits.
What neo-liberalist believe/ what they agree with
Some people are naturally more talented then others
Education should be run on meritocratic principles such as competition
Education should socialise students into shared values
Current problems with education
To much state control which has a result in economic decline
Education has taken a one size fits all approach which does not meet individuals needs
Lower standards state- run schools are not accountable for those who use them so schools who get poor results stay the same as they do not listen to the consumers needs
