marxism Flashcards
Flashcard 1
Q: What did Marx believe about studying society?
Like Durkheim, Marx believed society could be studied scientifically. He described his theory as ‘scientific socialism’ and viewed social change as a contradictory process leading from capitalism to communism.
Flashcard 2
Q: What is Historical Materialism?
A: Historical Materialism is the concept that humans need material goods like food and shelter, which they obtain through work. This process is called the ‘modes of production’ and then ‘social relations of production’, leading to the division of labor into classes - those that own means of productions and those that work for it
Flashcard 3
Q: What are the two classes in capitalist society according to Marx?
A: The two classes are those who own the means of production (factory owners) and those who labor for the means of production (factory workers).
Flashcard 4
Q: What is the economic substructure?
A: The economic substructure is the base of society, founded on the economy, food, shelter, and profit, which shapes behavior and creates a superstructure of institutions and beliefs.
What is the primitive form of communism?
A: In early history, Marx believed there was no exploitation or class system; everyone worked and shared resources, which he called the ‘primitive form of communism’.
Flashcard 6
Q: What are the three successive class societies according to Marx?
A: 1. Ancient society: based on exploitation of slaves.
2. Feudal society: based on exploitation of serfs.
3. Capitalist society: based on exploitation of free wage laborers.
Flashcard 7
Q: What are the three parts of capitalism?
A: 1. Proletariats sell their labor to survive.
2. Concentration of control in a few capitalists.
3. Technological advances lead to de-skilling of proletariats.
Flashcard 8
Q: What is Class Consciousness?
A: Class Consciousness is the awareness of the proletariat of their exploitation, leading them to form political systems to fight the ruling class and overthrow capitalism.
Flashcard 9
Q: What is Ideology according to Marx?
A: Ideology is the dominant values and beliefs of the ruling class, which justify and legitimize inequalities, creating a ‘false consciousness’ among the proletariat.
Flashcard 10
Q: What is Alienation in Marxist theory?
A: Alienation is the estrangement of workers from their true nature, as they must sell their labor for others’ needs rather than their own.
Flashcard 11
Q: What is the role of the state in Marxist theory?
The state, consisting of ‘armed bodies of men’ like police and courts, maintains the interests of the ruling class. Revolution would abolish the state and end exploitation and alienation.
Flashcard 12
Q: What is Economic Determinism?
A: Economic Determinism is the idea that economics is the base of all social change and structure, which Marx is sometimes criticized for overly emphasizing.
Flashcard 13
Q: What are the ‘Two Marxisms’?
A: 1. Humanistic or critical Marxism: aligns with social action and interpretivist theories.
2. Scientific or structuralist Marxism: aligns with positivism.
Flashcard 14
Q: What is Gramsci’s concept of Hegemony?
A: Hegemony is the ruling ideology of society. The ruling class maintains dominance through coercion and consent, requiring a ‘counter-hegemony’ for the working class to overthrow them.
Flashcard 15
Q: How does Althusser’s Structuralist Marxism differ from traditional Marxism?
A: Althusser posits three levels of society—ideological, political, and economic—each influencing the other, rather than a base and superstructure. He rejects both economic determinism and humanism, viewing humans as products of social structures.
