Marxism

Question 1

Marx’s Theory of History

Answer 1

Historical materialism

technological determination= technological change determines historical change

changes in economy produce changes in society

changes in society produce changes in politics

Question 2

Economic Relations of Production

Answer 2

tech/human labour

Question 3

Social Relations of Production

Answer 3

relative degree of power/control competing social classes have over productive forces

who controls tech/labour

Question 4

Social change

Answer 4

Changes in economy explain changes in society
control over tech

Question 5

Political change

Answer 5

changes in society explain changes in politics.
stabilise control

Question 6

Objective forces

Answer 6

means of production - instruments - tools, materials

Question 7

Subjective forces

Answer 7

Labour

Question 8

Class struggle

Answer 8

relative degree of power/control over forces.

does w/c have ultimate, some or no control over productive forces

Question 9

Marx Theory of Class

Answer 9

history = changing class structures

class struggle

class = asymmetric hostile classes

shape historical oppression

Question 10

Slavery

Answer 10

Slave control none of their labour

Slave control none of the means of production

Question 11

Serf

Answer 11

Serf control some of their labour

Serf control some of means of production

Question 12

Proletariat

Answer 12

all control of labour

no control of means of production

Question 13

Independent

Answer 13

all control labour

all control means of production

Question 14

Proletariat one commodity

Answer 14

their labour

sell

choice work or starve

Question 15

Marx greatest good

Answer 15

Freedom

Question 16

Marx praise capitalism

Answer 16

revolutionary advance

best/freeist society this far

Question 17

Functionalism thinker

Answer 17

Cohen

Question 18

Development thesis

Answer 18

the productive forces tend to develop throughout history

Question 19

Primacy thesis

Answer 19

the level of development of the productive forces explains the nature of its productive relations

Question 20

Superstructure (Cohen)

Answer 20

productive relations of a society explain the nature of its superstructure

Question 21

Cohen Cycle

Answer 21

productive relations of a society are responsible for the development of its productive forces

eco caused dev of forces

Question 22

consistent rendering

Answer 22

superstructure of a society is responsible for the stability of its productive relations

Question 23

Reverse causation (F and R)

Answer 23

development of forces explains nature of relations

nature of relations is responsible for development of forces

Question 24

Reverse causation (B and S)

Answer 24

base explains nature of superstructure

superstructure responsible for stability of base

Question 25

Functional explanations

Answer 25

A is functional for B A occurs because it is functional for B so B explains why A occurs

Question 26

Libertarian defense

Answer 26

capitalism is constant interactions between consenting adults where both benefits

Question 27

Marx responds to libertarian

Answer 27

not consenting relationship asymmetrical bargaining prol have to accept less desirable terms cap profits that workers produce not consent but hierarchy

Question 28

Capitalism domination (neg/pos)

Answer 28

Neg Liberty - prol are neg unfree to access means of production (constraints - laws) Pos Liberty - prol are pos unfree to develop their higher human powers /flourish

Question 29

Capitalism domination (Marx)

Answer 29

prol experience impersonal structural domination

Question 30

methodological individualism

Answer 30

all explanation in social science is in principle reducible to explanation in terms of properties (beliefs, desires) of individuals Marx? maybe - reduce class to complex claims abt many individuals? but - appeals to humanity, history and social organisms

Question 31

Marx and non-western nations

Answer 31

criticized both as barbarous but Fraser - exploitation vs expropriation along racial/imperial lines