marxism Flashcards
what are the causes of inequality? Marx
-society is organised to benefit the wealthy not the workers
-bourgeoise own ‘the means of production’/ ‘substructure of society
-wc people have to sell their skills to survive
what is surplus value? marx
people are paid only a fraction of the value of their labour
what is the superstructure? Marx
Bourgeoise control the government,beliefs and ideologies
what is a false consciousness? marx
wc people are tricked by ideology to think the RC have their best interests but are actually using them
What is the reserve army of labour? Engles
-during a peak in capitalism the jobs are in high demand and companies need staff
-during economic slumps,the need for workers decreases and workers are laid off in order to keep up with profits
-creates a system where people can’t ask for higher wages as someone will always do it for less
Evaluation of marx
x-marx’s prediction of a revolution never happened
x-marxists assume all inequality is class inequality this is criticised by feminists and race theorists
X-contradictory-the WC are unaware but will revolt
x-many communist societies have failed
+-reserve army of labour is still relevent today e.g zero hours contracts
How is the ruling class able to exert control? Gramsci
Ideological illusions
what is hegemony? Gramsci
a means of class domination by persuading people the ruling classes ideas are just common sense
How is hegemony affective? Gramsci
-its an invisible mechanism that permeates through society
-ideas are unquestioned and become normalised through constant exposure
-ruling class controls agencies i.e the media
How does Gramsci disagree with Marx?
-hegemony is never complete:
-the ruling class are a minority and need to make ideological compromises with the middle class
-the proletariat have dual-consciousness
-theres a chance of ruling class being undermiend if Wc can form a credible alternative society
What is the infrastructure? althusser
the land,factories and means of generating wealth
what is the superstructure? althusser
the major institutions in society e.g edcuation,media,law and politics
what is the function of the superstructure? althusser
-reproduces and legitimises inequalites found in the infrastructure
-transmits ruling class ideology
evaluations for althusser
x-how do marxist know the truth thst nobody else does
x-althusser dismisses what working class people say about their own situation
+-althussers claim on the superstructure has evidence social mobility comission found that only 16%of students on fsm achieve 2 a levels compared to 39% of nsfm
What is the inequality minority ethnic groups face a result of? Castles and kosack
-being exploited as the working class
-racism and racial inequality are deliberately encouraged by the capitalist class
What is legitimisation? Castles and Kosack
Racism justifies low pay and poor working conditions
Capitalists benefit from cheap labour from ethnic minorities
Why does the capitalist class divide and rule? Castles and Kosack
-if the black and white WC unite they are in a stronger position to ask for better wages and conditions
What is the reserve army of labour? Castles and Kosack
-ethnic minority workers are used as a reserve army of labour to prevent white workers demanding higher wages
What is scapegoating? Castles and Kosack
-during social and economic problems
-widespread anger is directed towards ethnic minorities rather than the capitalist class
-links to hall et al
Evaluation of castles and Kosack
X- Miles (1989) many black people recognise the significance of their ethnicity in causing inequality
X-miles some ethnic minorities are MC,so their interests align with capitalism however their ethnicity makes it harder for them to be full accepted
What is correspondence theory? Bowles and Gintis
School corresponds to the world of work
What is success determined by? Bowles and Gintis
-conformity and fitting into the system
-this is why MC achieve more
