Marxism Age inequalities

Question 1

Reverse Army of Labour

Point 1

Answer 1

According to Marxists, the young provide a cheap pool of flexible labour (a reserve army of labour) that can be hired and fired as necessary. They tend not to have dependents and so are willing to work for low wages. In terms of full time employment, their lack of experience legitimises low pay and competition for jobs keeps wages low.

Question 2

Contemporary example

Point 1

Answer 2

Zero hour contract

Question 3

Marxists focus on the needs of capitalism when explaining social inequality…

Answer 3

The young and the old are both an asset and an issue for capitalism
Eg. The young are an asset as they bring energy, new skills (technology) and cheap labour. The elderly are an asset as they provide free childcare.

Question 4

Legitimation of Authority

Answer 4

• Neo-Marxists such as Gramsci 1971 discuss the importance of how the bourgeoisie maintains authority.

False consciousness explains that people do not realise their exploitation, often through the concessions that they receive.

It could be argued that small measures, such as child benefit and pensions, act as a form of this. This then creates a form of dependency,
legitimating the need for the powers of authority.

Thus, the elderly and youth do not question their exploitation through the labour market, accepting things such as zero-hours contracts.

Question 5

Political Economy Theory

Answer 5

These ideas focus on inequality as meeting the needs of the economy.

• Townsend 1981 and Phillipson 1982 use these ideas to explain the inequality faced by the elderly.

Phillipson argues that this places the elderly in a negative position as a burden on the economy. Capitalism needs to continually renew it’s workforce to ensure greater profit by using young workers who may be more productive. To serve the needs of capitalism, this means having a system where the elderly are institutionally marginalised.

This happens through a process of institutionalised dependency; for example, through the elderly being made to retire, the needs of the economy are then met as younger, more productive employees take their place.

In reality, a forced dependency then takes place, whereby the elderly become dependent on society as they are denied access to work. This then lowers their status, especially in a society where status is dependent on relationship with the means of production.