Marxism and Critical Theory

Question 1

What is the purpose of this approach?

Answer 1

To reveal, critique, and challenge power structures. Based on the idea that if we can understand systems of domination and subordination, then they can be changed.

Question 2

What is Critical Theory based upon?

Answer 2

Marxism and Hegelian philosophy

Question 3

Problem solving element of critical theory

Answer 3

Focuses on correcting certain dysfunctions as they present themselves

Question 4

What does critical theory question?

Answer 4

The structural conditions that were taken for granted and what bought this problem about.

Question 5

What does critical theory look at?

Answer 5

Historical foundations behind structural conditions. Makes contingent world orders. Bc political and structural conditions have history and context. Highlight spatial and temporal dimensions of power.

Question 6

Historical Materialism

Answer 6

History of materialism = the history of the political economy
Thinking of linkages between materiality, economics, production and social forces.

Question 7

What are the three laws of dialectical materialism?

Answer 7

1. Unity and conflict of opposites
2. Transition of quality and quantity
3. The negation of negation

Question 8

Rise of Capitalism

Answer 8

1. Alienation from the produce of human labour
2. Alienation from the process of labour
3. Alienation from species
4. Alienation from nature

Question 9

Consequence of capitalism

Answer 9

Reification: an extreme form of alienation, humans seen as objects. State exists to organise capital.

Question 10

What does reification cause?

Answer 10

Omnipresent otherness, commodified discourse, time and space shaping models of oppression, capital moving through space.

Question 11

Resistance from the proletariat

Answer 11

Class, like all identities, is fluid and contextual. Collective identities are also forged in physical, material and social environments.

Question 12

Antonio Gramsci: Hegemony

Answer 12

Class is a body of shared interest which can also be expressed as a practice or status outside of materiality. Hegemony is a class relationship: one class so dominant that its interests are normalised through institutions and cultural practices.

Question 13

What is hegemony?

Answer 13

A “synthesis of consent and coercion” w/in a hegemonic regime, coercion embedded w/in consent in a manner that when coercive measures are deployed, they are grounded in consent.

Question 14

Bourdieu: symbolic violence

Answer 14

Discursive normalisation and naturalisation of one class’ interests over another

Question 15

Counter hegemony: war of position

Answer 15

Use persuasion or propaganda to increase number of political actors who oppose or see an alternative to the hegemonic position or discourse.

Question 16

Counter-Hegemony: war of movement

Answer 16

Once counter hegemonic elements are sufficiently strong to directly challenge position of historic bloc, can overthrow through force.

Question 17

Colonialism

Answer 17

Colonialism is the practice, theory and attitude of dominant centre ruling a distant territory. Justification of domination expressed through the attitudes of naturalness of the dominating centre.

Question 18

Imperialism

Answer 18

Asymmetrical flows of capital
- Domestically in favour of the bourgeoise
- Internationally, towards the metropole and away from the colony.

Question 19

What is Wallerstein’s World System Theory?

Answer 19

Unequal economic and political relationships in which some industrialized nations and their global corporations dominate the world’s economic system.

Question 20

What are the benefits of core exploitation?

Answer 20

Access to raw material
Export market
Cheap labour
Migration from non-core to core