Marxism Flashcards
Marxism
a conflict perspective based on the ideas of Karl Marx, it sees society as divided into opposed classes, one of which exploits the labour of the other
Capitalism
An economic and political system in which a country’s trade and industry are controlled by private owners for profit, rather than by the state
Communism
An economic and social system envisioned by karl Marx, in which all means of production are owned in common, rather than by individuals and therefore there is greater equality
Proletariat
The exploited working class in capitalist society, they own no means of production
Bougeoroise
The capitalist society, owners of the means of production.
Exploitation
Paying workers less than the value of their labour. It is the process whereby the bourgeoisie extracts surplus value or profit from the labour of the proletariat
Means of production
Factories, machinery,raw materials, etc that the capatialists own and where the proletariat work
Allienation
The disconnection felt by workers from the meaning of their work. Workers might see themselves as unimportant in their workplace because they have no say over what is being created
Karl Marx
Creator of the marxist theory
What is one criticism of this theory?
Marxism falsely predicted revolution, Marxism stated that communism would rise and overtake Capitalism however that is not what happened
What is the second criticism of this theory?
Assumes the working class are passive - suggesting that people are not conscious of their own interests
What is the third criticism of this theory?
Exagerates inequality. most working class still enjoy a much higher standard of living under capitalism than in the societies which followed.
Fourth criticism?
Over focuses on class. Marxism mainly focuses on divisions of class, but there are other forms of inequality as well.
Infrastructure
economic system that provides for people
Superstructure
Includes all the cultural institutions of society
