marxism

Question 1

what type of theory is marxism?

Answer 1

a structural conflict theory

Question 2

what is capitalism?

Answer 2

the bourgeoisie exploit the labour of the proletariat

Question 3

how do the bourgeoisie maintain their control?

Answer 3

through repressive state apparatus and hegemony

Question 4

briefly describe Marx’s beliefs on historical materialism

Answer 4

-materialism is the nucleus of human survival (provides food, shelter etc)
-bourgeoisie exploit the proletariat for materialism, which makes up society’s infrastructure
-marx argues every aspect of het infrastructure is dictated by the economic base

Question 5

briefly describe Marx’s beliefs about class society

Answer 5

-marx identified 3 successive class societies
1-ancient society (exploitation of slaves by owners)
2-feudal society (exploitation of serfs legally tied to land)
3-capitalist society (exploitation of free wage labourers )

Question 6

briefly describe Marx’s view of capitalism

Answer 6

said it had 3 distinctive features :
-proletariat are legally separated from the men of production (have to sell their labour for wages)
-means of production is in the hands of transnational corporations
-competition forces capitalists to pay lowest wage, causing immiseration
also, capitalism continually expands the forces of production in pursuit of profit

Question 7

briefly describe Marx’s view of exploitation

Answer 7

-said bourgeoisie control society’s surplus product, which keeps capitalism driving,
-leads towards society of polarisation, where capitalism produces an ever more dominant ruling class and more alienated proletariat

Question 8

briefly describe Marx’s view of class consciousness

Answer 8

-proletariat need to stop becoming a class in itself and become a class for itself
-due to the exploitative nature of capitalism, proletariat develop their own political and economic interests to oppose, which in fluctuates a dictatorship of the proletariat, where they become aware they need to overthrow capitalism

Question 9

what was Gramsci’s theory of hegemony?

Answer 9

2 ways the ruling class maintains its dominance :
-coercion (army, police, courts etc force other classes to a accept its rule)
-consent (RC uses ideas and values to persuade WC their rule is legitimate)

Question 10

why is the ruling class hegemony never complete?

Answer 10

-RC are a minority, so have to make ideological compromises
-gramsci rejects economic determinism as an explanation for change, even tho economic factors create preconditions for revolution eg mass unemployment
-RC hegemony will only be undermined by economic crisis if the proletariat create a counter-hegemonic bloc to win leadership

Question 11

briefly describe Althussers beliefs

Answer 11

-said it wasn’t just the economic base and superstructure that makes capitalist society, it exists on 3 levels:
1-political level (thru Govs and organisations)
2-ideological level (ideological state apparatus, reinforced by media, education and religion)
3-economic level (thru economy and production of goods)