Ethnicity: Marxist

Question 1

What is marxists basic view on inequalities in ethnicity ?

Answer 1

• Capitalism prefers conflict between ethnic groups as it’s beneficial to the ruling class
• Hire immigrants as they may not know their rights

Question 2

What was Cox’s theory ?

Answer 2

• racism is caused by the exploiters against the exploited (i.e. capitalism)
• Early capitalism linked to colonialism (European nations thought that they were superior)
• If capitalism didn’t develop then neither would racial prejudice

Question 3

What are evaluations of Cox’s theory ?

Answer 3

• views are too simplistic (difficult to directly link racism to capitalist ideology)
• Doesn’t treat race as an important factor - more interested in class than race

Question 4

What was Castles and Kosack’s theory ?

Answer 4

• most-immigrants are employed in low skilled jobs with poor working conditions
• Immigrants are seen as a reserve army of labour
• Wages are low because they have less bargaining power
• Immigrants are used a s scapegoats (blamed for social problem)
• Working class are too divided to try to overthrow capitalism

Question 5

What was the Morecambe Cockling disaster ?

Answer 5

• 5th February 2004
• 23 Chinese undocumented migrants drowned whilst harvesting cockles at Morecambe bay
• Chinese gangmaster was responsible for organising the trip
• These migrants had limited communication or geographical knowledge

Example of Castles and Kosacks theory:
- These people were working in poor conditions and as a result got killed due to the ignorance of the ruling class

Question 6

What are evaluations of Castles and Kosack ?

Answer 6

• too simplistic - they think that all ethnic minorities are immigrants
• immigration laws are a lot tighter now
• many immigrants possess higher skill level - doctors nurses etc.

Question 7

What was Miles’ theory ?

Answer 7

• Some ethnic minorities separate themselves apart from the white majority by celebrating their own cultural uniqueness
• e.g. young black African-Caribbeans stress power through Rastafarian groups
• ethnic minorities become members of ‘racialised class fractions’ which are reinforced when the white working class are discriminatory

Question 8

What are the evaluation’s of Miles’ theory ?

Answer 8

• Downplays the possible cooperation between both groups in trade union movements where people work together