Marxism Flashcards
What is Marxism?
A conflict theory that suggests there are 2 classes in a capitalist society (Bourgeoisie and Proletariat) with the lower class being exploited by the higher.
Who are the bourgeoisie?
People that “own the means of production
E.g. Factory owners
Who are the proletariat?
The working class that only make money through their own labour
E.g. Factory workers
What id Social Control and who theorised it?
Althusser believes that education is used as an ideological state apparatus that brainwashes the proletariat into not seeing their exploitation. This is called false class consciousness
What is the hidden curriculum?
Underlying things that are taught covertly in society so that students comply with capitalism
E.g. A student must respect their head teacher as they would respect their boss in the work place
What are Specialist Skills and who theorised them?
Bowles and Gintis believe that education maintains capitalism by training future workers to be passive and docile
What is the Correspondance Principle?
The belief that school mirrors the workplace in many different ways
E.g. External rewards
- Grades in school are valued over the learning
- Performance relates promotions and bonuses
What is Secondary Socialisation and who theorised it?
Bowles and Gintis believe that Meritocracy is a myth and that success is based on class. The proletariat are brainwashed into not challenging capitalism due to their meritocratic beliefs
What is Sifting and Sorting and who theorised it?
Bowles and Gintis believe that pupils are prepared for future job roles that are allocated based on class. This was also suggested by Ball’s research that proved higher class = higher sets
What is Willis’ “Learning to Labour” ? (1977)
Willis interviewed and observed 12 working class lads in an anti-school subculture that smoked, disrupted lessons and truanted. He viewed this as the boys standing up to capitalism
What are the criticisms of Social Control?
Functionalists would deem this idea as far too negative and would suggest that respecting the hierarchy encourages people to work harder
What ae the criticisms of Specialist Skills?
Postmodernists argue that Marxism is irrelevant and outdated as now jobs require active, creative and flexible thinkers
E.g. Media and marketing teams
What are the criticisms of Secondary Socialisation?
Functionalists would argue that Meritocracy isn’t a myth.
E.g. education is free to all students
What are the criticisms of Sifting and Sorting?
There is evidence to prove that the view is outdated and that students aren’t sorted solely based on class.
E.g. Working class students can receive loans for university
