marxist views on inequality Flashcards
what do marxists say causes inequality?
CAPITALISM!
key features of capitalism?
business owners create surplus value (profit) from the work of the poor whom they exploit.
proletariat don’t realise as they’ve been taught not to question.
how do bourgeoisie maintain power?
paying proles as little as possible. their ideas become ruling ideas, setting values for all.
what is false class consciousness?
workers create wealth for rich by making goods which are sold for profit. earn enough to afford basics such as food so believe they are living well. ideology makes them think they’re valued.
what two ways is inequality maintained according to marxists?
workers believe society is fairly organised so willingly accept it.
if workers do resist exploitation, victimised by gov, police, education.
what is the reserve army of labour theory?
in times of economic boom, reserve army of labour (lumpenproletariat) - normally women or EMs are given jobs. during slump, laid off easily. regular workers can’t demand high wages in boom as someone else will just take job.
criticisms of marxist views on inequality?
ignores gender and ethnic inequalities.
growth of middle class means workers don’t always feel exploited.
contradictory as it claims ppl will resist capitalism but also that the ruling class controls thinking.
society is more complex than bourgeoisie and proletariat.
in what ways did marx fail?
marx predicted that english w/c would soon revolt against ruling class and overthrow capitalism.
what does the fair access challenge report suggest?
those on FSMs have 2000 to 1 chance of place at oxbridge compared with privately educated having 20 to 2 chance.
what did the joseph rowntree foundation suggest about deep poverty?
3.8million people unable to meet basic, physical needs to stay warm and dry.
who talks about social closure and class ceiling?
friedman.
what is the class ceiling?
students from w/c backgrounds with similar qualifications to m/c are paid less when doing same job, given less promotion opportunities and less mentorship due to social closure.
what must you remember to do in strat 20 marker?
EXPLAIN reason for inequality rather than just describing difference.
why do ball and gerwitz say that w/c kids are disadvantaged in school?
m/c parents are priviledged skill choosers and w/c parents are disconnected choosers meaning less confidence in selecting school and appealing etc.
