Topic 3 - marxist theories of inequality? Flashcards
Introduction?
Marxism is a conflict theory that sees society as divided between the wealthy and everyone else, benefiting the richest. Traditional Marxists believe inequality has existed throughout history, with one group controlling the resources (means of production) while the other works for them. Marxism views inequality as part of the structural relationships in society, with the most important relationship being economic. Those who control wealth production also hold the power to shape society for their own benefit.
What is capitalism?
Marx argues that society has passed through various stages, or epochs, each evolving into the next. The four main epochs are:
Primitive Communism – where people hunted and owned things in common.
Ancient Society – where slaves and peasants did the work.
Feudal Society – where warlords owned land, and peasants worked for them.
Capitalism – based on industrialization, focused on creating wealth through manufacturing and the sale of goods.
The key features of capitalism according to Marx
According to Marx, capitalism’s key features include business owners creating “surplus value” (profit) from the labor of the poor to maintain their power. Owners exploit workers, but the poor are unaware of this exploitation because they are socialized to accept the system without question.
The relationship between the capitalist and the worker
In capitalist society, the bourgeoisie (owners) control the means of production, while the proletariat (workers) sell their labor. The bourgeoisie pay workers as little as possible to maximize profits, and their wealth, power, and status allow them to set society’s values and norms. Marx argues that the relationship between workers and capitalists is one of “false consciousness,” where workers are unaware of their exploitation and believe the capitalists have their best interests at heart. If wealth were more evenly distributed, everyone could live well. Marxists believe that if workers understood this, they would reject capitalism and fight for their own interests.
Causes of inequality?
Marxists argue that inequality arises from the structure of society, which benefits the wealthy at the expense of the poor. The sub-structure, including resources, machinery, and labor, is controlled by the wealthy who own the necessary resources. Workers must sell their labor to survive, giving bosses power over them. The owners, as the ruling class, also control the super-structure, such as government and ideologies, promoting beliefs that justify their dominance. Inequality is maintained in two ways: workers are given a false belief that society is fair, and if they resist, they are controlled by institutions like education, law, and government.
The reserve army of labour theory?
Marxists argue that capitalism experiences periods of slumps and peaks. During peak times, everyone has work, but during slumps, workers are laid off. The “reserve army of labor,” including the lumpenproletariat (migrant workers, women, and the very poor), can be hired during peak times and laid off during slumps. This creates downward pressure on wages, as regular workers cannot demand higher pay when there’s always someone willing to work for lower wages.
Assessments of Marxist theory?
Marxism is often criticized for being too simplistic, focusing mainly on economic and social class inequalities while overlooking issues like gender and ethnicity. Feminists argue that Marxism neglects gender inequality, and others point out that social mobility, though difficult, is possible. Marxism also contradicts itself by claiming people will become class-conscious and resist capitalism while also suggesting they are unaware of their exploitation. Despite criticisms, such as the failure of Marxist societies and the rise in living standards under capitalism, there is evidence supporting Marxism, including growing global inequality between the rich and poor. Karl Popper also criticized Marxism as unscientific, as it cannot be properly tested.
Marx and the failure to predict social class change?
Marx is criticized for oversimplifying society into just two classes, as modern class structures are more complex. The traditional working class is shrinking, with many jobs in manufacturing disappearing, while new working-class jobs in call centers and retail emerge. The middle class has grown significantly, with many people now leading comfortable lives and not feeling exploited, which Marx failed to predict.
The failure of marxism as a predictive theory
Marx, a revolutionary, failed to predict the workers’ (proletariat) uprising against the capitalist class (bourgeoisie) in the way he envisioned. He anticipated a violent revolution, especially in industrially advanced England, during his lifetime or shortly after his death (1883). The failure of these predictions led to the development of neo-Marxism, where thinkers adapted Marxist theory to explain why the revolution did not occur.
