Marxism

Question 1

Explain what Marx meant by historical materialism

Answer 1

base= how stuff is produced (means= land/ relations of production= people)

superstructure= ideologies and structures (media)

Althusser= ideological state apparatus, shapes and maintains (structural)

Question 2

Explain how Marx views social class and resulting exploitation

Answer 2

bourgeoise, owners of means of production, proletariat exploited for their labour (WC)
- feel alienated (powerless, out of their control)
- develop a false class consciousness, oppression is the norm

Question 3

Explain Marx’s belief that capitalism will lead to class polarisation… etc

Answer 3

• WC separate from MC
• bourgeoise profit off WC labour, increase wealth
• proletariats exploited for labour
• become opposed to each other, large number proletariats, small number capitalist

Question 4

Criticise Marx for being economically deterministic

Answer 4

ignores other factors, Weber: ignores the role of ideas, Calvinism role in capitalism

Question 5

Explain Gramsci’s humanistic Marxist perspective

Answer 5

Hegemony, info in society controlled by the elite, reflected onto WC
Media promote propaganda of dominant ideology
(Voluntarism= WC choose to accept this)

Question 6

Feminist criticism of Marx

Answer 6

More patriarchal inequality between genders than classes

Question 7

Outdated criticism of Marxism

Answer 7

• Capitalism is less exploitative now, development of welfare state
• Media critical of the elite