Functionalism and Marxism Flashcards
How does Marx believe the Bourgeoisie and Proleteriat were established?
In traditional societies everyone worked to survive and then society began producing surplus value meaning it was possible for a certain section not to work and be supported by others.
What is Marx’s base/superstructure theory?
The base is capitalism and the superstructure is all the institutions which disseminate the ideas of the ruling class. This results in brainwashing into a false consciousness.
Give some examples of how institutions support capitalism
Religion - opium of the people - heaven and hell
School - myth of meritocracy and obedience
Media - advertising
Health - making the workforce well
Give 4 negative evaluations of traditional marxism
Sees class as the only division - gender, sexuality, race Weber - two groups is too simplistic he splits the proletariat into skilled and unskilled Economic determinism - money doesn't dictate everything The revolution has not occurred because class polarisation hasn't happened - middle class growing
What do neo-marxism seek to explain?
Why capitalism has persisted despite increasing inequality and how it may be overthrown.
What kind of neo-marxism does Gramsci fall into + definition
Humanist marxism - Believes that economic conditions will never lead to revolution instead people’s consciousness in overcoming hegemony will determine it.
What are the two ways that the bourgeoisie could maintain their power?
Consent - hegemony that persuades the proleteriat that rule is legitimate through institutions as Marx says (true of advanced capitalist societies)
Coercion - army, police, prisons force obedience
However, Gramsci provides some optimism through describing the two reasons why hegemony is never complete. What are they?
The ruling class are a minority - to rule they have to form alliances with the middle class which means compromise
The proletariat have DUAL CONSCIOUSNESS - their ideas are shaped partially by hegemony but also by material conditions so they can see through it.
What is Gramsci’s overall solution for revolution?
For the working class to create a COUNTER HEGEMONY through producing their own “organic intellectuals” who have a different vision of society.
Give a piece of negative and positive evaluation for Gramsci
+ Willis’ study shows how resisting hegemony can be a form rebellion
- ignores the ‘coercion’ aspect where even is workers speak out they can be suppressed
What kind of neo-marxism does Althusser fall into + definition?
Structuralist marxism - believe social structures shape society not people’s actions as humanists say
Why does Althusser disagree with traditional marxism?
He thinks that it is wrong to say the economic level determines everything instead he suggests ‘two way causality’ where the political and ideological level which is all institutions is separate but also influences the economic level.
How does the political and ideological level ensure capitalist hegemony continues according to Althusser?
The Ideological State Apparatus - institutions transmits the capitalist ideology subtly
The Repressive State Apparatus - Institutions force people to conform
How does Althusser directly criticise Gramsci?
He thinks that humans do not have free will and that choice is merely false consciousness - therefore we cannot overthrow capitalism. But instead over-determination and collapse contradicting capitalist institutions.
Give a piece of negative and positive evaluation for Althusser
+ Developed analysis of social structures
- replaces economic determinism with structural determinism it still ignores the wc fighting the system
