marxism

Question 1

who are the bourgeoise?

Answer 1

• owners of production/wealth
• upper class
• make massive profits
• exploit proletariat

Question 2

who are the proletariats?

Answer 2

• non owners of production
• forced to work for bourgeoisie
• working/lower class

Question 3

what is dominant ideology

Answer 3

the attitudes, beliefs, values and morals shared by the majority of people in a given society

Question 4

what is the ideological state apparatus?

Answer 4

• institutions that spread bourgeoise ideology and ensure proletariats are in a state of false class consciousness

Question 5

three ways the family help the ruling class stay in power?

Answer 5

1. passing on wealth (inheritance)
2. ideological function
   (providing a safe haven/socialising children to accept authority and inequality)
3. unit of consumption

Question 6

ELI ZARETSKY - family as a unit of consumption

Answer 6

• the family generates profits for capitalism by making the products, which the family are then encouraged to buy
• adverts promote the ‘ideal family’ type and encourage families to buy the latest products
• children are targeted consumers because they have ‘pester power’ and are stigmatized for not having the latest fashion trends

Question 7

ELI ZARETSKY - family as a safe haven

Answer 7

• illusion that ‘private life’ is where we have control over our own lives
• provides a safe/comfortable ‘haven’ from the harsh realities of work and workers can ‘let off steam’ & ‘be themselves’
• stops working class from fighting back

Question 8

FREDRICH ENGLES - passing on wealth

Answer 8

• nuclear family ensures wealth is kept within the family
• nuclear family developed as a way to control women’s sexuality to ensure wealth was passed down to ‘rightful heirs’
• marriage/inheritance laws ensured wealth was passed down male side of the family
• women in families are commodities (owned by men like property)
• they provide sex and heirs in exchange for financial security

Question 9

LOUIS ALTHUSSER - socialising children to accept authority

Answer 9

• working class must be obedient to the ruling class in order for capitalism to survive
• the family socialises children the idea that hierarchy and inequality are inevitable
• family acts as part of the ‘ideological state apparatus’
• children are socialised into the idea that hierarchy and inequality are ‘normal’

PARENTAL POWER = someone is always in charge which teaches them how to accept authority in their working life