marxist approach to leisure Flashcards
what did Clarke and Critcher 1985 argue about leisure?
they developed their theories on the commercialisation of leisure from a neo-Marxist perspective.
they argue the capitalist system shapes the nature of work and leisure
what are the two main effects according to Clarke and Critcher off the industrial revolution?
1) capitalism removed the opportunity for leisure, leading to a clear demarcation between work and leisure.
2) the state and capitalist enterprises became the key influences on leisure. central to this the role of the state in licensing leisure activities
what do Clarke and Critcher criticise about the functionalist approach to leisure?
for F. leisure is the site of desirable experiences, freedom, choice, need, self actualisation and self expression.
leisure is assumed to reflect the life of individuals who have satisfied their basic biological needs.
However, F. ignore that leisure remains the compensation that has to be earned through paid work.
what to Clarke and Critcher highlight about the ongoing concern of the dangers of leisure and creation of leisure society?
free time is open to abuse and leisure can be seen as dangerous in terms of excess and misuse. they argue the gov can license and regulate to ‘protect’ society.
what do they suggest about the state’s attempt on leisure?
they suggest the state wants to propose socially acceptable leisure. solutions to the problems of working class leisure in terms of: living off the streets, being under supervision etc.
what is one of the central institutions for the imposition of ‘acceptable’ leisure?
education.
what is Clarke and Critcher’s view on education and leisure?
traditional ‘arts’ education such as English Literature and Art assists young peoples understanding and appreciation of the countries heritage and helps to develop young peoples civilising faculties. they also argue the state encourages rational domesticity amongst w/c women.
what influence does class have on leisure?
class structure determines the shape of both employment and leisure activities
what influence does the market and state have on leisure?
they have ‘constructed’ leisure by controlling the supply they have turned leisure into another form of consumption.
what is the cause due to leisure becoming subjected to increasing capitalisation?
it’s losing its elements of freedom and choice becoming more like paid work.
And, the fact that society accepts the rhetoric of consumer choice hides the power relationships of the capitalist distribution model that is dominant.
what influence has the 19th century had on leisure?
in the 19th century rational recreation saw w/c people having their use of public space curtailed.
m/c people viewed the street as a thoroughfare, putting pressure on the state to discourage the informal use of public space for w/c interaction e.g. children playing in the street which is seen as disruptive to public space.
what do Clarke and Critcher say about the influence large corporations have on consumer needs?
they say the leisure industry creates new products and then tries to persuade consumers that they should purchase them. as such, patterns of leisure participation are not the outcome of individual choice.
in what ways can leisure be orientated around?
a number of subcultures rooted in class, ethnicity, age and gender - leisure opportunities are :- unequally structured in both a material sense and cultural sense.
what is Clarke and Critcher’s view on class and leisure?
class is central to leisure
u/c numerically small but powerful.
leisure style was central to the way they perceived themselves.
e.g. west end theatres and royal garden parties.
m/c more likely to participate in ‘private’ leisure e.g. DIY or gardening with their leisure more individualistic and voluntary
w/c = sprot, however more likely social sports e.g. pub football or pool.
conclusion of C+C
they argue leisure reflects social divisions that are ultimately rooted outside the leisure experience itself. Leisure ‘realises’ social divisions, becoming one of the powerful means by which social divisions receive expression and validation.
