Marxism Argument

Question 1

what is the first marxist point

Answer 1

edu system maintains capitalism by reproducing and legitimising class inequalities

Question 2

what is the first evidence

Answer 2

althusser - state apparatuses

1. RSA - eg police/army , maintain r/c power through force to repress w/c
2. ISA - eg family/edu system , controls people’s ideas and create false class consciousness

Question 3

how does Althusser explain the ISA

Answer 3

• educ. system legitimates inequality by making it seem natural and fair - blames individual failure not the edu. system
• students are taught to accept authority and hierarchy values that suit capitalism
• prevents revolution by producing false consciousness

Question 4

what is the second evidence

Answer 4

Bowles and Gintis
- conducted a study in the US and argues schools mirror the workplace - correspondence principle
- obedience = good grades and creativity = punished
- hidden curriculum teaches students to conform and accept the hierarchy and accept authority without question
- reproduces class inequality as it channels w/c into w/c jobs in future

Question 5

what did Bowles and Gintis further analyse

Answer 5

myth of meritocracy
- class background determines outcomes but school convince them its due to their efforts

Question 6

what did Willis argue

Answer 6

• all students are not passively controlled
• study of the lads shows how w/c boys resisted school values but still ended up in low paid jobs
• shows how edu. system reproduces class structure