Marxism Flashcards
What is the question Marxists ask themselves?
How does it benefit the interests of the ruling class?
What type of theory is it?
Macro sociological
What is the determining factor in shaping the entirety of society according to Marxists?
The class system
What does Karl Marx refer to the working class and the ruling class as?
Proletariat - working class Bourgeoisie - ruling class ( owners of the means of production)
What is the relationship between the interests of the ruling class and the working class?
The ruling class want to maximise profit and minimise wages, whereas the working class (who are forced to sell their labour) want to maximise their wages. This creates a conflict of economic interests and thus a class conflict.
Define ideology
The means in which values, beliefs and norms of the ruling class are transmitted to the east of society.
What does this ideology create?
A distortion of reality > creates the belief that class inequality is natural and desirable.
What is the function of ideology?
Social control
What does Marxism say about capitalism?
Capitalist is unsustainable and will be unable to contain the contradiction of class interests > triumph of communism
What does the economic infostructure do?
Directly determines and shapes all aspects of the ideological superstructure. Characterised by class exploitation and conflict
Why does production exists and what does this mean for the proletariat?
Production exists to for fill universal needs, which makes the proletariat dependant on the system
What is the distortion of reality
An ideological state apparatus - transmit ideas that legitimise the capitalist system and its class inequalities > create false consciousness
What is the ideological superstructure
All things not directly engaged in production eg. education, entertainment, religion.
Maintains and legitimises the base
Why is the superstructure “ideological”?
Because it conveys the values, ideals and beliefs of capitalism.
How are these capitalist values sub stained?
These ideas are internalised, eg. Competition, greed, individualisation, desire for wealth and status then used to legitimise class inequality
