Marxist Flashcards
Capitalism
An economic system characterised by private ownership of the means of production.
Class conflict
Conflict between different classes in society resulting from different social or economic positions and reflecting opposed interests.
Bourgeoisie
The ruling class in Marx’s theory of class and own the means of production
Proletariat
The working class, the social class having no significant ownership of the means of production
Ideology
Cultural beliefs that justify particular social arrangements, including pattern of inequality.
False consciousness
An idea in which an individuals in a capitalist society fails or neglects to acknowledge the negative impacts that the society produces.
Myth of meritocracy
It argues that meritocracy is not widely attainable in capitalist societies because of inherent contradictions
Ideological state apparatus
Consists of institutions such as the media, the education system and religion.
Hidden curriculum
The informal teaching done in school that socialises children to societal norms e.g homework - deadlines in the workplace
Repression
Attempts by individuals, groups or cooperations or state actors (e.g police) to control, constrain or prevent process.
Conformity
The tendency to change one’s beliefs or behaviour to fit in with others.
Hegemony
The dominance of a shared system of ideas, values and ethics within a society or community during a particular historical period.
Paul Willis “Learning to Labour” Ao3
Studied ‘the lads’ a group of working class boys that were distributive and misbehaved
Anti school subculture - thought it was ‘cool’ to fail and mess about, including acts of racism and other discrimination. They did this to gain gratification from peers and to avoid praise from the teacher
The school was not acting as an agent of socialisation as there was no value consensus, rejecting the values and norms of society
Conclusion - children of working class parents go on into working class jobs.
Ivan Illich (1995)
Argued that schools are repressive institutions that promote conformity
Students are not encouraged to think for themselves or use critical thinking
Schools reward those who accept the regime with qualifications and access to better jobs
Deschooling - abolish schooling and instead lean towards home schooling and schooling that fits the individual better
Louis Althusser (1971)
The main role of education in a capitalist society is to reproduce and efficient and obedient work force.
It is the reproduction of the necessary skills and the ruling class ideology
This process is carried out using ideological state apparatus
Ruling Class Ideology
The dominant beliefs and values of a society, strongly held by the ruling class
Bowles and Gintis (1976)
The main role of education is to reproduce an obedient work force
Hidden curriculum influences choices and promotes discrete class bias, correspondence between school and work
E.g rules = hidden curriculum, schools push rules (such as uniform) in preparation for work
Criticism of ideology and false consciousness
Teachers are aware of what is happening within the school system with regard to class status of their pupils and may make a conscious effort to improve the quality of the education their pupils receive
Criticisms of the hidden curriculum and acceptance of being repetitive work
Outdated
Production is based on flexible specialisation which requires the education system to produce a diverse workforce. It requires a skilled, adaptable workforce able to use advanced technology and to transfer their skills from one task to another
Criticisms of the reproduction of the class system
Willis’ account of the lads romanticised them, portraying them as working class hero’s despite their behaviours. His small scale study of only 12 boys in one school is unlikely to be representative of the general population
