Marxism - Theories Flashcards
What was Marx’s overriding view?
That the economy is the driving force in society
What is the Infrastructure?
Economic base that underpins society, e.g. means of production
What is the Superstructure?
Social institutions = determined by infrastructure
What are the 2 classes?
Owners (Capitalists) + non-owners (workers)
Bourgeoise + Proletariat
What are the stages of a society before Capitalism?
Slavery, feudalism, capitalism, communism
What are the characterises of workers?
Want higher wages to achieve a better life style
What are the characterises of owners?
High profits to expand wealth, business and compete
Why is there class conflict?
Interest of 2 classes completely opposed
How are workers exploited?
Workers produce more than whats needed = surplus values which provides profit for the employer while the workers are paid very little
= allows wages and production costs to be covered
What 3 ways are there dominate ideology in society?
- Law protecting the interests of owning class
- Religion = ‘opium of the people’ - workers accept position
- Media owned by r/c = only their ideas put forward
What is False Consciousness?
Lack of awareness for own interests
What will happen when W/C develop a class consciousness?
They will become aware of their position
= population polarised into 2
- Workers act against owners through strikes and demonstrations = revolution to overthrow bourgeoises
- leads to communism
What does Engles suggest about the family?
Monogamous family ensures wealth is passed on
- women provides sex + heirs in return for economic security
What does Zaretsky suggest about the family?
Family perpetuates Capitalism in 2 ways:
1) Reproduction of workforce
2) Consumes products of capitalism
What is the overriding view of the family?
It is not functionally necessary
What do Bowels and Gintis suggest about education?
Correspondence principle between school and work in power hierarchies
What does Willis suggest about education?
‘Learning to labour’ - criticised correspondence principle + suggest w/c prepare themselves for w/c jobs
What does Althusser suggest about education?
Education part of ideological state apparatus (ISA)
What does Pearce suggest about crime?
Laws are made by those in power and although they appear to benefit the working class they actually benefit the ruling lass e.g. health and safety laws
What does Chambliss suggests about crime?
Capitalism generates feelings of greed and self-interest, people are trying to achieve what they cannot through accepted means
What does Sinder suggest about crime?
Corporate crime costs more than w/c crime but tends to remain undetected
How does Marxism relate to beliefs?
- Marx: ‘religion is the opium of the people
- Religion used by proletariat to cushion oppression + by Bourgeoise to control the masses
- Religion transmits dominate ideology which justifies and normalises inequality - stops proletariat questioning their position
What are 4 strengths of Marxism?
1) Encourages us to explore the underlying economic basis of society + how this determines the nature of social institutions
2) Points to social structures in influencing the way we think and behave
3) Helps to explain inequality in society and that different groups have different interests
4) Explores society critically, suspend our taken for granted assumptions
What are 4 weaknesses of Marxism?
1) Functionalists: Marxism over-emphasises the conflict in society. Society is characterised by stability and shared values.
2) Interactionists: individuals are not simply passive victims of society. They are thinking active beings who have choice and give meaning to the world
3) Ignores other key variables such as gender, ethnicity, age
4) Accused of being economic deterministic
