Marxism: Ethnicity

Question 1

Cox

Answer 1

Stressed that ‘race’ is a human creation. It has its origins in capitalism & colonialism. Also, if racism is developed to justify exploitation, it cannot be developed by those who are exploited.

Question 2

How can Cox be critiqued?

Answer 2

‘Race blind’ - racism may benefit capitalism in the long term, but there is no evidence that it functions exclusively as an ideological apparatus

Question 3

Castles & Kosack (overview)

Answer 3

Found that immigrant were concentrated in low-skilled and low-paid manual jobs carried out in poor working conditions

Question 4

Castles & Kosack (divide & rule)

Answer 4

The immigrant workers became this most disadvantaged within the working class, benefitting the upper class as it supressed the overall wage levels of the working classes & immigrants could be scapegoated

Question 5

How can Castles & Kosack be critiqued?

Answer 5

It’s a mistake to think all ethnic minorities are disadvantaged e.g., over 5,000 Muslim millionaires in Britain

Question 6

How can Castles & Kosack be critiqued?

Answer 6

It’s a mistake to think all ethnic minorities are disadvantaged e.g., over 5,000 Muslim millionaires in Britain