marxism

Question 1

historical materialism

Answer 1

materialism is the nucleus to human survival - it provides individuals with food, clothing and shelter

it’s used to show change is driven by material factors such as food, shelter and money - each period of history so has its own unique set of characteristics

Question 2

what does marx argue about infrastructure

Answer 2

that every aspect is dictated by capitalism

Question 3

3 class societies
marx

Answer 3

ancient - based on slave exploitation
feudal - based on exploitation of serfs legally tied to land
capitalist - based on free wage labourers exploitation

Question 4

3 features of capitalism
marx

Answer 4

the proletariat are legally separated from the means of production, they have to sell their labour power to the bourgeoise in return for wages meaning production is in the hands of transnational corporations

competition forces capitalists to pay the lowest wage possible and capitalism expands the forces of production in pursuit of profit

Question 5

exploitation

Answer 5

marx argues the bourgeoise control society’s surplus product which keeps the flow of the capitalist society driving so the capitalist society is based on the exploitation of free wage labourers which leads to a society of polarisation so it allows capitalism to produce more a dominant ruling class

Question 6

class consciousness

Answer 6

idea that the proletariat need to stop becoming a class in insult but become a class for itself - marx argues because of the exploitative nature of capitalism, the proletariat develops their own economic and political interests in opposition this will make a dictatorship of the proletariat where they become aware of the need to overthrow capitalism

Question 7

gramsci - hegemony

the ruling class maintain its dominance in two ways…

Answer 7

coercion - the army, police, prisons and courts of the capitalist state force other classes to accept its rule

consent - the ruling class use ideas and values to persuade the subordinate classes that their rule is legitimate

Question 8

ruling class hegemony is never complete because…

Answer 8

the ruling class are a minority and have to make ideological compromises with other classes

Question 9

why does gramsci reject economic determinism

Answer 9

rejects it as an explanation of change even though economic factors may create preconditions for revolution, ideas are central to whether or not it will actually occur

Question 10

what will lead to a revolution of the proletariat construct a counter hegemonic bloc to win the leadership of society

Answer 10

ruling class hegemony being undermined by an economic crisis

Question 11

what did althusser argue

Answer 11

it wasn’t just the economic base and superstructure that makes up capitalist society but it also exists on 3 levels

Question 12

althusser - 3 levels of capitalist society

Answer 12

1. political - through the government and organisations in charge of society
2. ideological - ideological state apparatus, reinforced by the media, education and religion
3. economic - through the economy and production of goods

Question 13

historical materialism

Answer 13

materialism is the nucleus of human survival and provides individuals with food, clothing and shelter

is used to show change driven by material factors such as food, shelter and money