Theory and Methods- Perspectives (Marxism) (3) Flashcards
What does Marxism mean?
- key conflict theory that believes capitalist society is based on inequalities between the bourgeoisie (ruling capitalist class) and the proletariat (working class).
How do bourgeoisie maintain their position?
- through hegemony + control of RSA.
What does hegemony mean?
- the means by which the bourgeoisie maintain their dominance and control over the proletariat.
What does conflict theory mean?
-views society as consisting of groups with conflicting interests vying for dominance.
What does force of production mean?
- materials + tech. used in production of goods + services.
What does the relation of products mean?
- the relationships people enter in order to produce goods + services.
What does infrastructure mean?
-The economic base of society made up of the forces and the relations of products.
What does superstructure mean?
-rest of society that is largely shaped by infrastructure.
What does ruling class ideology mean?
-Set of beliefs that present a false picture of society and justify the position of RC.
What does false class consciousness mean?
-a false picture of the class system that concerns the exploitation on which it is based.
What does alienation mean?
-the cutting off of people from their work, the things they produce.
What does polarisation mean?
-growing gap between 2 classes
} income and wealth
} intermediate groups sink down to SC.
What does economic determinism mean?
- idea that economic factors determine + shape human behaviour + structure of society.
What does dual consciousness mean?
- idea that SC have 2 views on society
1. RC hegemony
2. true picture.
What does repressive state apparatus (RSA) mean?
- social institutions that control the population by use of threat/force.
} government, police, army