Marxist Perspective Of Inequality

Question 1

What do conventional marxists blame inequality on?

Answer 1

The structure of society (e.g economic base and superstructure) which are organised to benefit the bougieiouse and control the proletariat.

Question 2

What are the 4 epochs (or stages) that Marx highlighted of western society?

Answer 2

Primitive communism
Ancient society
Feudal society
Captalism

Question 3

What did Marx believe businesses need to do to maintain captalism?

Answer 3

Achieve primitive accumulation (meaning that they gather surplus value)

Question 4

What are the owners of businesses called according to Marx (key term)

Answer 4

Owners of the means of production

Question 5

Why don’t the workers rebel against the owners of the means of production?

Answer 5

Because they have false class consciousness and are taught to accept things without question through primary and secondary socialisation.

Question 6

What are 4 things that are part of the superstructure?

Answer 6

Family, religion, education and the media

Question 7

What is the economic base of society according to Marx?

Answer 7

Means and relations of productions

Question 8

Why do feminsts critises Marxists views of Inequality?

Answer 8

They claim they ignore gender inequalitys

Question 9

Who indirectly supports Marxist views of inequality?

Answer 9

Wilkenson and Pickett - ‘The Spirit Level’