neo-marxist views on inequality Flashcards
how does neo-marxism differ from traditional marxism?
traditional - looks at economic relationship between capitalist and w/c,ignoring gender/ethnicity (economic determinism).
neo - looks at ideology and access to power to explain structural inequality.
why do neo-marxists believe we have inequality?
hegemony
what does gramsci say about hegemony?
ruling class domination of ideas and economy.
coercion (police, army, prison) to accept its rule.
consent - ideas and values through media, religion, education.
who talks about the bourgeoisie hegemony?
Gramsci.
what was the frankfurt school?
group who challenged nazism, especially interested in media and propaganda influencing attitudes.
what did the frankfurt school say about media and pop culture?
turned it into commodity which could be bought and sold like products. acted as drug for w/c so they accept r/c ideology uncritically.
what does althusser talk about?
repressive state apparatus - dominates w/c through power and violence (police)
ideological state apparatus - institutions such as family, media, education, religion reinforcing capitalism.
what does miliband say about inequality?
inequality is essential for survival of capitalist state. w/c don’t see importane of socialism. meritocracy is a myth.
what does braverman say about inequality?
due to industry becoming more mechanised, workers lost power in labour market. this was alienating.
called it deskilling of society, gave owners more power to hire/fire.
what does olin & wright say about inequality?
marx failed to account for growth of middle class. some power over w/c but still exploited. those who rise up have little interest in changing social structures.
what does hall say about social inequality?
media attention on black muggers in 1970s was deliberately to draw attention away from failures of gov and increasing inequality.
criticisms of neo-marxist views on inequality?
simplistic to argue that r/c are constantly plotting to keep workers down.
some social groups share aims/values eg Brexit was supported by many social classes.
ignores importance of gender, focusing on masculine spheres of life.
assumes w/c have no freedom of thought at all.
