Topic 6: Marxism

Question 1

What does Marxism have in common with functionalism?

Answer 1

share the view that society is a structure or system that shapes individuals behaviour and ideas

Question 2

Briefly outline two ways in which Marxism differs from functionalism.

Answer 2

• conflict of interests= marxists reject the func view that social structure is harmonious and based on value consensus. Instead they see it based on a conflict of economic interests between social classes and unequal power and wealth
• instability and change = marxists also reject the view that society is stable and stress that there is a possible of sudden change. stability only due to dominant class forcing will on society

Question 3

Briefly explain the similarities between Marx and Durkheim.

Answer 3

like Durkheim, Marx saw the harm which modern industrial society and the promise of progress to a better world.
Also like Durkheim marx believed that it was possible to understand society scientifically and this knowledge would point to a better society (scientific socialisation)

Question 4

Briefly outline how Marx saw historical change.

Answer 4

differ from func as dont see it as a smooth evolution but as a contradictiry process in which capitalism would increase human misery before giving way to a classless society

Question 5

. According to Marx, how would a classless society be brought into being?

Answer 5

by conscious human action

Question 6

Define materialism.

Answer 6

the view that humans are beings with material needs, such as food, clothing and shelter and must therefore work to meet them.

Question 7

According to Marx, why do humans enter into social relations of production?

Answer 7

this means ways of organising production

they do this in order to meet their needs

Question 8

Which two classes emerge along with the division of labour? (historical materialism)

Answer 8

• class that owns the means of production

- a class of labourers

Question 9

Briefly explain the following Marxist concepts:

a. Mode of production

Answer 9

forces and relations of production together

eg we are currently living in a capitalist mode of production

Question 10

Briefly explain the following Marxist concepts:

Economic base

Answer 10

the mode of production forms the economic base of society. This economic base shapes or determines all other features of society

Question 11

Briefly explain the following Marxist concepts

Superstructure

Answer 11

the super structure of institutions, ideas, beliefs and behaviour that arise from this base. eg it shapes the nature of religion, law, education, the state and so on

Question 12

What were the three key features of primitive communism?

Answer 12

early classless society
earliest stage of human history, there are no classes, no private ownership and exploitation - everyone world and everything is shared

Question 13

Briefly explain what is meant by surplus product.

Answer 13

this is the difference what the labourers actually produce and what is needed simply to keep them alive and working

Question 14

what are the three successive class societies which marx identifies each with own form of exploitation

Answer 14

ancient society - based on exploitation of slaves, legally tied to owners
feudal society- based on exploitation of serfs, legally tied to land
capitalist society- based on the exploitation of free wage labourers

Question 15

Briefly explain the three distinctive features of capitalism

Answer 15

• proletariat do not own any means of production so have to sell labour to Bourgeoisie in turn for wages for survival
• competition between capitalists
• polarisation= minority capitalist class and majority working class

Question 16

According to Marx, how does capitalism sow the seeds of its own destruction?

Answer 16

eg by polarising the classes which brings the proletariat together in increasing numbers and drving down their wages in this way capitalism creates the conditions in which WC can develop a consciousness of its own economic and political interests

This means that they move away from class in itself - members occupy the same economic position- and becoming a class itself - whose members have class conscious and aware of the need to overthrow capitalism

Question 17

According to Marx, what is the cause of alienation?

Answer 17

result of our loss of control over our labour and its products and therefore our separation from our true nature

Question 18

Briefly explain the two reasons why alienation reaches a peak in capitalist societies.

Answer 18

• workers are completly separated from and have no control over the forces of production
• division of labour is most intense, worker are reduced to unskilled labourer repeating meaningful task

Question 19

According to Marx, what is the function of the state?

Answer 19

exists to protect the interests of the class of owners who control it ie ruling class. they use the state as a weapon in the class struggle to prevent property and prevent revolution

Question 20

According to Marx, why would a proletarian revolution be different from other revolutions?

Answer 20

it will be the first revolution by the majority by the majority against the minority

Question 21

Briefly outline three consequences of a proletarian revolution.

Answer 21

• abolish the state and create a classless communist society
• abolish exploitation
• end alienation