Marxist Theories Of Inequality Flashcards
What are the key features of capitalism.
. Business owners must make surplus value
. Bourgeoise exploitative of the poor
. The poor are in a false class conciousness
What are key features of capitalism
. Business owners must make surplus value
. Bourgeoise exploitative of the poor
. The poor are in a false class consciousness
What are the causes of inequality for Marxists
Due to the structure of society.society is organised to benefit the wealthy and exploit the poor. The substructure of society consists of materials and social control that society uses to create products and services. The owners of the substructure become the ruling class as they control the superstructure which consists of government beliefs/ ideologies.
The reserve army of labour theory
Capitalism goes through times of slum and peak. In peak everyone has to work but in slum everyone is laid off. There are groups within the working class who form the reserve army of labour these are women and migrant workers and the very poor. In times of slump these people can be laid off very easily.
Assessments of Marxist theory
. Too simple - overlooks other inequalities other than class and economics
. Moving social class is not impossible its just hard
. Contradictory - claimed their will be an increase in class consciousness but also suggests people are unaware(brainwashed)
. Standards of living have increased since capitalism
. Many communist societies based on marxes ideas have failed.
. Popper- claimed Marxist ideas were unscientific and cannot be tested properly
The failure of Marxism to predict social class change
Criticised for claiming two classed exist. The class structure is more complex than bourgeoise or proletariat. There are many different class groupings within the WC. There has been mass increase in MC jobs since Marx died. Many people do not feel exploited.
The failure of Marxism as a predictive theory
. Predicted thst WC would realise there class position and overthrow bourgeoise
. Predicted a revolution would take place in England
. He thought a revolution would take place within his lifetime (died 1883).
Failure of predictions had given rise to neo-Marxism
Curran
Analysis of secondary sources to look at the history of the newspaper industry in Britain. Argues their is evidence that owners of the media have openly admitted to influencing content to reflect there own political views and thst they openly support capitalism. Suggests owners of the media are only concerned with their own power.
