Neomarxism

Question 1

2 kinds of neomarxism

Answer 1

Humanistic neomarxism and structuralist neomarxism

Question 2

Humanistic neomarxism (Gramsci)

Answer 2

• saw ideology and people’s ideas as having relative autonomy from the economic base
• placed more importance of individual choice, idea’s and actions in bringing about change through concept of hegemony
• viewed the influence of the dominant ideology as the main reason preventing working class rebellion

Question 3

Relative autonomy definition (Gramsci, humanist neomarxism)

Answer 3

the idea that the superstructure of society has some independence from the economy, rather than being directly determined by it

Question 4

Hegemony definition (Gramsci, humanist neomarxism)

Answer 4

the dominance in society of the ruling class’ set of ideas over others, and acceptance of and consent to them by the rest of society

Question 5

Structuralist neomarxism (Althusser)

Answer 5

argued that capitalist society consisted of 3 levels:
1. the economic level
2. the political level (government and repressive state apparatus)
3. the ideological level (ideological state apparatus)
the economy has the most importance but all 3 justify the power of the ruling class
each level has relative autonomy but the economy still has primary influence over people’s ideas

Question 6

Repressive state apparatus (Althusser, structuralist neomarxism)

Answer 6

parts of the state which are concerned with mainly repressive, physical means of keeping the population in line, eg army, police, courts and prisons
part of the political level of society

Question 7

Ideological state apparatus (Althusser, structuralist neomarxism)

Answer 7

agencies that spread the dominant ideology and justify the power of the dominant social class (eg media, education, religion)
part of the ideological level of society

Question 8

Evaluation of neomarxism

Answer 8

• helps to overcome economic determinism of classical marxism
• Gramsci recognises importance of individual ideas and actions (hegemony)
• both kinds recognise relative autonomy of other parts of society
• Gramsci can be criticised for underemphasising importance of material factors like economic crises and fear of poverty/ unemployment in preventing revolutionary action by the proletariat