structural marxism Flashcards

1
Q

ISA and RSA

A

althusser - agreed with humanistic marxists about dual functions of state but different terms

repressive state apparatus - parts of state that coerce the proletariat into accepting bourgeois dominance

ideological state apparatus - institutions that manipulate the proletariat into accepting capitalism as legitimate

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2
Q

rejecting the economic base / superstructure model

A

Althusser rejected both economic determinism of traditional marxism and the emphasis on free will of humanistic marxists

  • argued that capitalist society as three structures

economic level, political level, ideological level

all have relative autonomy and two-way causality

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3
Q

rejecting gramsci

A

rejected view we are authors of our actions

while we may think we are authors of our actions - illusion created by ISAs - we are products of pre-existing structures that map out our lives for us

ISAs socialise us into filling our allotted places in the relations of production

revolution will only occur if crisis in capitalism - contradictions at different levels of three structures - over-determinations

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4
Q

strengths

A

Craib - offers the most sophisticated conception of social structure available in the social sciences

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5
Q

limitations

A

Althusser’s structural marxism is also deterministic - structural determinism rather than economic
this is done by stressing structural factors - allowing individuals little free will
overlooks the role played by working classes in struggling against capitalism

discourages political activism as political activism wont cause change

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