Theory And Methods-Marxism

Question 1

Explain historical materialism

Answer 1

Forces of production(means of p) eg technology

Social relations of production- how people relate to each other as a means of using force of p.

(Force of production + social relations of p = mode of production)
Mode of production eg capitalism, feudalism

Question 2

Explain base superstructure

Answer 2

Base- relation of production eg proletariat vs bourgeoisie
Means of production eg machines, land
———— economy

Superstructure- everything not directly related with production eg religion, media
———— maintains base

Question 3

What is class consciousness?

Answer 3

Being aware of the need to overthrow capitalism

Question 4

Explain ideology

Answer 4

For Marxists the class that owns the means of production also owns the mental production. 
This helps sustain class inequality due to false consciousness eg 11+ test

Question 5

Explain the state, revolution and communism

Answer 5

The state eg police, courts etc exist to protect the class of owners who control it

Question 6

Explain criticisms of Marxism in terms of Marx’s view of class

Answer 6

Too simplistic and only sees class as the important division- ignores factors such as gender

Weber says it doesn’t take into account status and power

Question 7

Explain the criticisms against Marxism in terms of economic determinism

Answer 7

His base superstructure for economic determinism

• the view that economic factors are the sole cause for everything in society
• fails to recognise that humans have free will and can bring about change

Question 8

Explain Gramsci and hegemony

Answer 8

Use hegemony to explain how the ruling class maintains its position

Maintains their position by:
Coercion- use the army, police etc
Consent(hegemony)- uses ideas and values to persuade the subordinate classes to its rule is legitimate