week 4 - Marxism

Question 1

what is the basis of Marxism?

Answer 1

arena and process approach
Marxists are interested in the state and the way the state protects interests of businesses and capital
class inequalities are embedded into institutions
realist approach, directly observed and interpretative
process of ideological domination
structuralist theory
2nd and 3rd faces of power
Normative

Question 2

what is classical Marxism?

Answer 2

says that history progresses through stages of development, it is a progressive theory of history known as historical materialism
what drives this theory is the evolution of economic systems, the mode of production
mode of production represents the ‘economic base’ of any society
economic determinism

Question 3

what are the class relations under Marxism?

Answer 3

the mode of production is comprised of the means of production and the relations of production
there are two classes that emerge - economic classes
two class model which is based on domination and exploitation
dominant economic class uses the state, societal and institutions to protect its interests
power is determined by class structures

Question 4

how the state an ‘instrument’?

Answer 4

it is a key area of debate
state is to protect the interests
bourgeoisie retain their political power through ideological domination
using their political power to promote their ideas, society seen to be organised in the right way

Question 5

what are the modes of production? stages

Answer 5

ancient - hunter and gatherer, equal division of labour
asiatic - masters and slaves
feudal - less exploitative, lord and serf
capitalist - least exploitative system
communism - common ownership

Question 6

what are the criticisms of classical marxism?

Answer 6

still waiting for a revolution
two-class model does not work, capitalism creates complex classes
other social divisions, race, gender and age
economic determinism is crude

Question 7

what is Neo-marxist revisionism?

Answer 7

responds to the criticisms
less economic determinism, more naunce
abandoned historical materialism
abandoned the idea of revolution
recognises that power derives from multiple social division
aims to critique capitalism
still sees economic groups as having more power in a capitalist society than other groups

Question 8

what did Gramsci believe in?

Answer 8

concept of hegemony
he was an Italian communist and imprisoned by Mussolini
increasingly disillusioned with the idea of a violent revolution
he believed that it was not credible for political elite to lead by coercion
ruling class maintain their power through manufactured consent, common sense
ideological hegemony is key to sustainable rule

Question 9

what did Miliband believe in?

Answer 9

people who occupy the state are from the same social background of those who run the economy

Question 10

what did Poulantzas believe in?

Answer 10

took issue directly with Miliband
capitalism does not require the state to be managed by those of the same background to economic elites
Miliband-Poulantzas debate
no such thing as a unified capitalist interest
investments and businesses can withdraw their investment from the state

Question 11

what is the difference between classical and neo-Marxism?

Answer 11

revolution vs no revolution
power economic determinism vs other factors for power
state in the interest of capital vs not always capital, but in the last interests
ideas are a reflection of elites vs ideas can be used to change the world
overthrow capitalism vs critique capitalism

Question 12

what is Marxist-feminism?

Answer 12

Marx - concerned with the exploitation of labour
feminism - concerns with the subordination of women, gender inequalities to men
marxist-feminists - recognise women’s subordination is rooted in capitalism

Question 13

what is gender socialisation?

Answer 13

learn from parents and culture
capitalism benefits from gender inequality
women socialised into the role of the ‘home-maker’ and men ‘breadwinner’
women are not biologically programmed for domestic labour, but are rather learnt to, common sense

Question 14

how is women’s work trivialised?

Answer 14

women’s work is devalued with systems of capitalism, seen to be unproductive
home was considered as a unit of consumption and leisure rather the production

Question 15

what is the relation between marriage and private property?

Answer 15

private property relates to capitalism
Marxist-feminists argue that marriage serves two purposes: monogamous marriage, women have biological offspring to her husband, links to property being passed down, lines of lineage
property of father, property of husband with the ability to produce and reproduce labour that is owned by the husband
More vulnerable to DV adn seen to be dehumanised
female sexuality less policed

Question 16

what are the criticisms of Marxist-feminism?

Answer 16

focus on class too much, women see to be another class, not really alienated
too simplistic, get rid of capitalism and replace with communism there will no longer be gender inequalities, how true is that?
did not account for the way capitalism bought women off, develops to rectify gender inequalities.
capitalism brought women into the workplace