Marxism✔️ Flashcards
Who came up with this theory?
Karl Marx - considered to be on the worlds greatest intellectualist.
What does Karl Marx’s work represent?
A critique of industrial capitalism. Before the industrial revolution, there were inequalities in society but the development of a Capitalist society heightened this.
Why is Capitalism?
A society based on individual and private ownership and wealth. It is an economic industry where trade and industry are privately owned rather than owned by the state.
Within a Capitalist society…
It is inevitable that there will be huge inequalities in income and wealth - it is made of a two class system.
Class of Owners:
CLASS 1/2
The Capitalists and owners of industry - they’re rich and the ruling class. The bourgeoisie. Top of the hierarchy.
Class of Non-Owners:
CLASS 2/2
The workers, the labouring class who lack power and wealth. The subordinate class - the proletariat.
What kind of society is a Capitalist society?
Extremely hierarchical and in-egalitarian society.
How do the two classes in a Capitalist society depend on eachother?
The owners need workers (the non owners are the workers) and the workers need employers to make money (the owners are the employers)
The dependent relationship between the ruling class and workers leads to…
Exploitation because the ruling classes can make the subordinates work even longer with a lower salary - workers have no choice.
Why do the workers endure the exploitation they receive, according to Marx?
How?
Due to FALSE CONSCIOUSNESS - they are delluded and blinded to the real nature of their problems
because of the ruling class ideology (the ruling class people influence how people think and dominate them e.g. by propaganda)
Marx predicts that…
Over time, the prolateriot would gain full class consciousness and they would unite and cause a revolution leading to Communism which is his ideal society.
Why do Marxists critique the family?
Because they believe that the way the family functions supports Capitalism.
How do families encourage and reproduce hierarchical in-egalitarian relationships?
Children observe the hierarchy at home - it becomes the norm for people to be above and for others to be subordinate (e.g. parents at the top) and when they leave home, the in-egalitarian society is normal. They have been trained to accept it and not rebel.
How do families act as a safety valve dampening down discontentment?
After workers have an exploitive day at work, they may go home and ‘rant’ to their family who will calm them down and make them feel better. Their wives are known to be “takers of shit.” He says it cushions the effects of Capitalism as it doesn’t deal with the issue - temporary fix. He wants people to stand up for themselves.
How do families cause a Reproduction of Labour Power?
The family produce a centre of relaxation and rest in their home so workers can relax and return to work each day fit and healthy so they can be productive again. It’s a constant cycle.
