Marxism Flashcards
1
Q
What approach is Marxism?
A
- Macro approach which is a top down approach where they study society rather than individuals
- It is also a structural approach which is that society is shaped by shared norms and values
2
Q
What is a conflict theory?
A
- Theory that argues that society is based on two opposing groups
- Seen in Marxism as the Bourgeoisie and the Proletariat
3
Q
What are the two parts Marxism can be divided into?
A
- Marxism
- Neo-Marxism
4
Q
What are the two parts that the social structure is divided into?
A
- The social structure is divided into the economic base and the superstructure
- The economic base controls the means of production
- The superstructure controls social institutions
5
Q
What do Marxists believe about the social structure?
A
- The Bourgeoisie underpins every institution in society therefore socializing us into a false class consciousness
6
Q
What are the two classes and the relationship between these?
A
- The Bourgeoisie and the Proletariat
- The bourgeoisie own resources used to make profit and the proletariat sell their labor power
- The bourgeoisie exploit the proletariat which leads to surplus value of the exploitation
7
Q
What does exploitation create?
A
- The bourgeoisie use their control of institutions to create a false consciousness where people are not aware of their exploitation. This is ideological control which causes alienation
8
Q
What is an evaluation of classic Marxism?
A
- However it ignores that the class structure is complex
- Communism did not work
- Marxism is a meta-narrative
- It is less exploitative today
9
Q
What does Gramsci argue about Neo-Marxism?
A
- Gramsci introduced the concept of hegemony to explain how the ruling class maintains its position therefore the proletariat must develop alternative ideas to win leadership
- People’s ideas are important for bring about change
10
Q
How does the ruling class maintain power according to Neo-Marxism?
A
- Maintains power through hegemony which is ideological dominance where it persuades society to see the rule as legitimate
- The working class are persuaded that society is fair
11
Q
What does Gramsci argue about the completion of hegemony?
A
- The hegemony of the ruling class is never complete as the ruling class are a minority and therefore need to compromise to maintain power and the proletariat have dual consciousness as they are aware of their exploitation and can see through the dominant ideology
12
Q
What is an evaluation of Gramsci?
A
- Many members of the working class recognize that the system is the dominant ideology and not fair
- Seen in Paul Willis’ study
- Under-emphasizes the role of economic forces which prevents revolution or ideas
13
Q
What is a structuralist Marxist and what do they believe?
A
- It is social structures that shape human action therefore should be researching structures and not individuals
14
Q
What does Althusser believe about societies structure?
A
- Althusser disagrees with Gramsci as he believes that capitalist societies are organised into three levels.
1. Economic level
2. Political level = Repressive State Apparatus
3. Ideological level = Ideological State Apparatus - The economic level does not affect the other two levels which contrasts the superstructure model
- The economic level dominates capitalism however the political and ideological level perform indispensable functions
15
Q
What are the two apparatuses according to Althusser?
A
- Repressive state apparatuses which are able to physically stop rebellion such as the police and army
- Ideological state apparatuses which are things such as the media and education. This instills a false consciousness to maintain order
16
Q
What does Althusser argue about social structure?
A
- Social structures determine our actions, we have no free will as our choices are determined by society
- The unseen structure of society is the ‘puppet master’ determining all of our thoughts and actions
17
Q
How does Althusser believe change will occur?
A
- Socialism will occur due to a crisis of capitalism resulting in a collapse of the entire system. Therefore the structure needs to come done for something new to be built
18
Q
What is an evaluation of Althusser?
A
- Althusser discourages political activism because the theory suggests there is little individuals can do for change
- Ignores the fact that active struggles have changed for the better
19
Q
What is an evaluation of Neo-Marxism?
A
- It acknowledges that we have a voice to change
- It overemphasizes the role of cultural hegemony in society which is the dominant cultural values
- It is too deterministic
