Key studies Role of Education (Marxism)

Question 1

What do Marxists think about the education system?

Answer 1

• class conflict (bourgeoisie v proletariat)
• education part of superstructure, influenced by capitalist needs (infrastructure)
• education system maintains class inequality
  > private education, cultural capital bias
• education system creates false class consciousness (idea of meritocracy is fake)

Question 2

According to Althusser (1971) what are the two functions of education?

Answer 2

• reproduces capitalism/class inequality by:
  > training workers
  > controlling workers thoughts (justifies inequalities of capitalism/having to obey rules)
• education legitimises/justifies class inequality

Question 3

How does education reproduce class inequality?

Answer 3

• teaches young people capitalism is natural/normal despite its inherent inequalities/injustices
• schools do little to question/criticise society
• limits students critical thinking

Question 4

How does education legitimate class inequality?

Answer 4

• by selecting/grading pupils for unequal positions in society
• schools make inequality look fair/legitimate

Question 5

What does Althusser (1971) argue?

Answer 5

• no class can hold power for long simply by the use of force
• ideology much more effective than control (if hearts/minds won over = force unnecessary)

Question 6

What did Althusser (1971) find was the main role of education in a capitalist society?

Answer 6

• reproduction of efficient/obedient labour forces:
  > reproduction of necessary technical skills
  > reproduction of ruling class ideology
  > socialisation of workers into accepting dominant ideology = false consciousness

Question 7

What does Althusser (1971) argue took over as the main agency for ideological control from the church?

Answer 7

• education replaces the church
• in past people accepted station in life as it was god’s will, today this acceptance comes in part from experience in education

Question 8

How is education the main agency for ideological control today?

Answer 8

• schools transmit an ideology which states capitalism = just/reasonable
• schools prepare pupils for their role in the workforce (most trained as workers, taught to accept future exploitation/provided with education/qualifications to match adult roles)
  (some future managers/administrators/politicians trained to control workforce, their education reinforces this position, agents of exploitation)

Question 9

What did Bowles/Gintis (1976) argue?

Answer 9

• education controlled by capitalist/serves their interests
• education designed to reproduce obedient workforce that accept inequality as equal
• schools and work almost identical in capitalist society

Question 10

What is correspondence principle?

Answer 10

• direct correspondence (link) between classroom/workplace

Question 11

According to Bowles/Gintis (1976) how does the education train young people?

Answer 11

• ready to accept their roles in a capitalist society ()