Marxism

Question 1

who is Marx?

Answer 1

• born 1818
• German
• a revolutionary communist
• co-author of the ‘communist manifesto’
• he did not get to see his ideas practiced in the real world but his work formed a theoretical basis for communism

Question 2

what is alienation?

Answer 2

the estrangement of humans from an essential aspect of their nature or from society, resulting in hopelessness. through treating them as a means to and end

Question 3

what is the Marxist application to alienation?

Answer 3

• in modern capitalist regimes workers will lose control of their lives by losing control over their work
• workers cease to be autonomous beings

Question 4

what were pre-capitalist working conditions?

Answer 4

workers had control of their working hours, working conditions, shape their buisness/work and have some say in how their produce is sold.

Question 5

what are the capitalist working conditions?

Answer 5

• workers are no more than a cog in a machine, they’re dehumanised
• work is IMPERSONAL
• armies of workers perform monotonous tasks with no control over production, treatment and hours
• because of this they have been estranged from their human nature

Question 6

what is human nature for Marx?

Answer 6

humans are to be free, agents of their own being living productive and active lives

but humans cannot be humans under capitalism

Question 7

what must humans do to fulfil their nature?

Answer 7

we must abolish capitalism as any political opression in order to be set free from social restrictions

Question 8

Marx quote (in the home) …..

Answer 8

’ he feels at home when he is not working, and when he is working he does not feel at home’

Question 9

what four ways is alienation created?

Answer 9

1) workers are alienated from their own labour power - they have to work by the rules of their employer
2) alienated from the produce of their labour- products are sold to make a profit and workers are only paid small amounts
3) alienated from each other- compete for jobs
4) alienation from themselves - work is a misery, a means for survival, not a free choice

Question 10

what is conscientisation?

Answer 10

the process in which a person becomes conscious of the power structure in society

Question 11

Marx quote on opium

Answer 11

‘It [religion] is the opium of the people’

Question 12

for Marx, what is the function of religion?

Answer 12

• provides a reason for society to function in a certain way
• such that it encourages the proletariat to accept their exploitation because they will be rewarded in the afterlife
• this makes it like a drug, providing an illusion of the real control
• capitalism prevents happiness so they justify this by saying they will one day be happy

Question 13

how is the relationship between the bourgeois and the proletariat exploitative?

Answer 13

employer pays the worker less than the value of goods. To marx, profit itself is exploiting workers.

Question 14

how does competition lead to more exploitation?

Answer 14

• in order for buisness to stay functioning they will have to lower the price of Goods sometimes
• this means lowering workers wages
• but increasing production
• making working conditions worse
• eventually a violent revolution would begin were the working classes aim to throw off their opressors

Question 15

describe the revolution and communism

Answer 15

• following the revolution society would organise itself by communist ideology
• means of produce is collectivley owned
• everyone is equal

Question 16

what would a communist society be for marx?

Answer 16

‘each would live according to their ability and needs’

they would be free and fulfilling their human nature.