Marxism Flashcards
What is Marxism?
Marxism was created by Karl Marx (1818-1883). He believed that the entirety of human history has been made up of class conflicts between the bourgeoisie (owners) and proletariat (workers).
Marx argued that capitalists exploit workers through surplus value.
What is surplus value?
Marxism argues that surplus value is used to enslave the proletariat as it forces them to buy cheaply made products for high prices thus limiting the amount of money, and therefore freedom, they have.
How does the bourgeoisie (owners) control the means of production?
The Bourgeoisie control every part of the manufacturing process e.g. the factory itself, the resources coming into the factory, how the resources are extracted in the first place, the products coming out of the factory and the tools that the proletariat use to generate the products.
The only thing they do not control is the proletariat themselves. However, they force the proletariat into a system where they cannot provide for themselves and have to bend their will.
What are Marxists views on the church?
Marx described religion as the ‘opium of society’, the reason he described it as such is because he viewed the church (and thus the lessons they were teaching) as lies engineered by the Bourgeoisie to keep the proletariat in line - if you do what you are told and don’t complain or do anything to disrespect the Bourgeoisie you will go on to live forever in a blessed kingdom of plenty without needs or worries.
What are Marxist views on the military?
Marx viewed the military as the traitors of the Proletariat, saying that they betrayed their fellow working class brothers and sisters by enforcing Bourgeoise will (they wouldn’t put themselves in harms way) for a few extra rewards but in the end amount to nothing. Marx believed that even if they had a bit more money, they would still live in squalor compared to the Bourgeoise.
What are Marxist views on education?
Marxists argue that education reinforces class inequality, stating that schools mirror workplace hierarchies ensuring the working class accepts capitalist views as they are prepared to be exploited.
What is the Marxist view on Family?
Marxists believe the family supports capitalism. Engels argues that monogamous arose to ensure property inheritance. Marriage only exists for the Bourgeoise to ensure that the only people inheriting their wealth, power and influence are their direct decedents.
What is the Marxist view on media?
A Marxist would view media as a tool for the Bourgeoise which allows the ruling class to brainwash the working class (Proletariat) with capitalist rhetoric outside of the workplace.
Miliband claimed that media reinforces false class consciousness by promoting capitalist ideologies.
What is Marxist view on Crime?
Marxists see crime as a product of capitalism as members of the working class are forced to turn to a life of crime in order to provide for themselves and/or their families due to the excessive resource hoarding of the Bourgeoise.
