lesson 2

Question 1

What are 4 key features of marxism ?

Answer 1

• modernist
• macro
• structuralist
• conflict

Question 2

What do they believe societies functions are based ?

Answer 2

• material needs
• exploitation and the distribution of wealth
• thinks there will be a revolution

Question 3

What is a neo-marxist ?

Answer 3

Explains how capitalism maintains itself

Question 4

What is the basesuper structure ?

Answer 4

• marx believes society has an economic base
• involves the mode of production

Question 5

What are the bourgeoisie ?

Answer 5

capitalists who own the means of production used to make things

Question 6

Who are the proletariats ?

Answer 6

• the people exploited by the bourgeoisie so they can keep the profit

Question 7

What is class polarisation ?

Answer 7

the process of the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer

Question 8

What is ideology ?

Answer 8

• a belief system that distorts peoples perception a reality in ways that serve the interests of the ruling class

Question 9

What did Althusser study ?

Answer 9

• ideological state apparatus
• argues working class haven’t been forced to accept the system but have developed an ideological state apparatus
• The types of apparatus are education, mass media and families
• e.g media entertains the workers and makes their lives more bearable
• diverts them from the inequalities

Question 10

What are some criticism’s of Marx ?

Answer 10

• economic determination - focus on economic factor, doesn’t look at free will
• neglects the role of ideas in the formation of society
• 2 class model too simplistic
• capitalism hasn’t collapsed but communism has

Question 11

What is the Weberian theory ?

Answer 11

• disgreeded with marx’s analyse of social inequalities
• says status and power differences were important
• people treated different not just because of class but maybe because of status