Marxism

Question 1

outline the structure of Marxist society

Answer 1

• its built on an economic base (capitalism)
• society/ institutions (the superstructure) are formed to maintain capitalism

Question 2

outline the alienation of the working class

Answer 2

• capitalism alienates the working class from their produce, as they’ll never be able to afford the goods they produce
• w/c are also alienated form each other; as they’re in constant competition with each other int he employment market
• this reduces the risk of a revolt

Question 3

outline the concept of a revolution

Answer 3

• Marx states that when the w/c develop a class-consciousness they will revolt against the system to restore society to a Communist state

Question 4

define class consciousness

Answer 4

• the understanding of ones oppression within society

Question 5

outline pre modern society

Answer 5

before the industrial revolution, there was the pre-modern society;
- was based on agriculture
- the feudal lord (noble who owned the land) exercised political, economic and judicial judgement - even if money played a small role in rural life
- land was the main source of substantial wealth and so was a motive force of the ruling class
- aim of production was consumption - not accumulation
- was a strong collective consciousness

Question 6

outline modern society

Answer 6

post industrial revolution, is modern society;
- cities + their populations grew - as did poverty, crime and other social issues
- people now work to generate money for themselves + produce goods for the owner of the means for production (bourgeoisie) in return for a salary
- workers have to take on low-paid roles
- modern production maximises output + minimises cost (profit is key)
- with the era of enlightenment, people looked to rational thought

Question 7

outline the case study of Grenfell Tower

Answer 7

• the Grenfell Tower is based in Chelsea; one of the most affluent areas
• killed 72/350 residents
• the fire was due to the less safe - but cheaper - materials used in its construction (flammable cladding) which enabled the fire to spread quicker
• Laws around construction were ambiguous and allowed loopholes for cheaper construction
• constructors of the block are also to blame as they cut corners to spend less money; profit is key and comes at the danger of the w/c

Question 8

outline the case study of the Rana Plaza

Answer 8

• a Bangladesh factory producing fast fashion collapsed - killing 1,100 people
• after years of protest, murder charges were filed to those involved in forcing workers to work after a crack in the structure
• consumers of fast fashion must acknowledge their contribution to the continuity of w/c exploitation

Question 9

outline the strengths of Marxism

Answer 9

• in PM society, there is still the 1% who exploit the poor
• globalisation allows for exploitation across boarders
• white collar crimes are ignored
• crumb analogy: ruling class feeds the w/c just enough to work without revolting

Question 9

outline a limitation of Marxism

Answer 9

• w/c still have access to the welfare state

Question 10

outline Gramsci’s view of why revolution hasnt happened

Answer 10

• is a humanist/ critical Marxist
• revolution / communism hasn’t yet occurred due to the control over our ideas
• the hegemony/ dominant ideology in society is to benefit the ruling class and so that we don’t question our oppression
• a revolution cant happen without a class consciousness (awareness of oppression)

Question 11

outline Gramsci’s view of how a communist revolution can happen

Answer 11

• there must be a counter hegemonic bloc - where an organic intellectual (class conscious leader) will bring about an ideological revolution
• the hegemony of the ruling class isn’t complete as they are the minority and so we have to create a power bloc/ ally with the m/c
• as the proletariat has a dual consciousness (seeing the oppression to an extent), there’s hope

Question 11

outline 2 criticisms of Gramsci

Answer 11

• they overplay the role of ideology + underplay the role of cohesion
• many are aware of their exploitation but wont revolt due to fear of consequences

Question 12

outline Althusser’s view

Answer 12

• he is a structural Marxist and thinks that ideology alone wont change anything
• the structure of society is what enables capitalism - not actions
• free will is a myth produced by ISAs

Question 13

outline Althusser’s view of society’s structure

Answer 13

• society is made up of 3 levels that have relative autonomy (independence)
• the economic, poltiical and ideological level
• a collapse in one level means the others will still exist
• this explains why capitalism has survived in many western countries