Marxism And Digital Communication

Question 1

What do Cornford ad Robins (Marxists) argue?

Answer 1

• marxists argue that digital communication is not new, but a different version of other forms of communication that is exaggerated by postmodernists
• Marxism would argue that the media can encourage capitalism and therefore enforce inequality in society and reinforce the ruling class ideology
• The ruling class use digital technology to ideologically control people in subtle ways

Question 2

What does Fuchs (Marxist sociologist argue?

Answer 2

• digital social media brings about ‘false consciousness’ whereby citizens don’t challenge the unequal rights of the capitalist system because digital social media keeps them occupied
• ruling class use digital media to distract society/ working class - ideological control

E.g. insta focuses on identity and entertainment rather than politics
Distracts people from opposing the capitalist system and enforcing political change. Media gives organisations like the government and business more control and power to mute the politically repressed

Question 3

Seabrook’s concept of cultural imperialism

Answer 3

Globalisation is linked to digital communication and it creates cultural imperialism which is dominated by the western, richer industries who use digital communication to impose their cultural views and products to the world
This can lead to cultural homogenisation, and less cultural diversity (loss of traditional cultures)

Question 4

Jenkins (Marxist) on cookies

Answer 4

Media corporations, ruling class, use cookies to process and monitor data to enhance profits.
Internet is dominated by big media cooperations. Ruling class have commercialised digital communications and use coookies to monitor online activity to enhance profits.
Ad: user friendly, used for marketing
Disad: Privacy concerns, security risks

Question 5

Deregulation of the media

Answer 5

Marxist argue that there is a lack of regulation in relation to digital communication as it is mainly governed by private companies rather than the state

• they argue that digital forms of communication is used as a method of surveillance to control and emulate people n the interests of the wealthy

Question 6

Snowden report

Answer 6

Shows there is now concern over the monitoring of personal digital communication between individuals and the state
People are monitored without their knowledge or consent (this threatens free will)

Question 7

Strengths of Marxism

Answer 7

• Curran and seaton investigated the content of newspapers and found evidence to support the claim that newspaper owners often did interfere with the newspaper content. This supports the idea that the media content is controlled by the ruling class.

Question 8

Weakness of marxists view on digital forms of communication

Answer 8

• rise of new digital media, internet and journalism undermines the control of ruling class as the masses now have more power and the social class divide is not longer as prominent
• postmodernists would criticise this view as being outdated, as postmodernists describe society as fluid and people are no longer discriminated against due to factors such as social class
• some marxists adopt a more positive view on digital forms of communication. E.g. castells argues new modern tech can revitalise democracy and give a voice to the minorities e.g. women, poor and stables - would lead to greater involvement to political action