Marxism

Question 1

What is Marxism?

Answer 1

Marxism is a structural approach whereby the structure of capitalism affects the behaviour of individuals. The individual is seen as less important than the social structure of society. This is because Marxism argues that individuals are a product of the class relationships within capitalism.

Question 2

What is the Marxist system?

Answer 2

Capitalism

Question 3

Marxist capitalism system divides people into two social groups. Name them.

Answer 3

Bourgeoisie

Proletariats

Question 4

Define Marxist Bourgeoise.

Answer 4

The ruling class who benefit in every way from how society operates.

Question 5

Define Marxist Proletariats

Answer 5

Working class get far less than they deserve.

Question 6

What does the Marxist structure of society create?

Answer 6

Conflict.

The Marxist structure of society is based on a class conflict between the two social classes.

Question 7

Marxist divides the structure of society into two parts. Name them.

Answer 7

The Economic Base

The Superstucture

Question 8

Define Marxist’s Economic Base

Answer 8

The Economic Base – This determines everything in society. It consists of the means of production (land, factories needed to make goods) and also the relations of production – the relationhip between those involved in production (owners/share holders) and the relationship between the owners and the non-owners (workers)

Question 9

Define Marxist’s Superstructure

Answer 9

This includes society’s institutions, such as family, education etc. The ideology (ideas and beliefs) within these were fundamnetally determined by the economic system, or by the ruling class (bourgeoisie). Therefore, culture and socialisation are merely a product of the ruling class, who pass their ideology onto the masses.

Question 10

In a Marxist Capitalist Society production is

Answer 10

Privately owned

Question 11

In a Marxist Capitalist Society most people are:

Answer 11

Proletariats

Question 12

In a Marxist Capitalist Society most people rely on owners for

Answer 12

Employment

Question 13

What is the term for the amount produced by workers that is more than is needed for the employers to pay them wages according to Marxist theory?

Answer 13

Surplus Value

Question 14

Define Surplus Value in Marxist Theory.

Answer 14

Marx argued that the workers produced more than what is needed for the employers to pay them wages. This ‘extra’ is known as surplus value, or profit

This means that the workers who produce goods do not get the full value of their work and are therefore being exploited for their labour

Question 15

Interactionalists argue that Marxists Structural Approach…

Answer 15

Interactionists argue that Marxists (like Functionalists) ignore the freedom of choice that people have in creating their identity. People ‘choose’ rather than being ‘brainwashed’.

Question 16

Do Functionalists agree with Marxists?

Answer 16

Yes and No.

Functionalists do believe that society can be understood in terms of a structural approach, but they do not agree with Marxism that this structure is based on a class conflict, but rather a value consensus

Question 17

What does Max Weber add to Marxist Theory?

Answer 17

Max Weber argue that the economic base/superstructure model (above) neglects the role of ‘ideas’. For example, he argues that it was the emergence of a new set of ideas, those of Calvinistic Protestantism, which helped to bring modern capitalism into being.