Neo-Marxist Explanations of Inequality

Question 1

Neo-Marxist Explanations of Inequality:
Introduction to neo-Marxism

Answer 1

Strand of neo-Marxism sought to account the non-occurrence of revolution in advanced capitalist societies

• Emerged as traditional Marxism failed as a predictive theory (w/c have not developed class consciousness and revolutionised)

Question 2

Neo-Marxist Explanations of Inequality:
Key Points & Theorists

Answer 2

The Frankfurt School
Wright
Class Locations

Question 3

Neo-Marxist Explanations of Inequality:
The Frankfurt School - Description

Answer 3

Group of neo-Marxist thinkers who were interested in the importance of the media & propaganda influencing people’s attitudes & preventing the w/c from revolutionising

Main reason Marxist revolution hasn’t occurred in advanced capitalist societies = masses have been pacified by pleasant, shallow entertainment that is being drip-fed to them by the media culture industry

Question 4

Neo-Marxist Explanations of Inequality:
The Frankfurt School - How media changed culture

Answer 4

• Media had turned culture into an industry where commodities could be bought and sold in the same way as other manufactured products
  
  • Dumbed down the arts
  • Dumbed down culture
• Mass media = toxic influence within capitalism
  
  • Responsible for a commercial ‘mass culture’ which revolves around superficial entertainment
• Culture industry being promoted by the mass media prevents the development of autonomous, independent individuals who can judge and decide consciously for themselves
  
  • Makes people stupid
  • In an age of ignorance > start of knowledge age

Question 5

Neo-Marxist Explanations of Inequality:
Wright - Overview

Answer 5

CONTROL OVER ECONOMIC RESOURCES
Focuses on how much control members of each social class have in the production process

Question 6

Neo-Marxist Explanations of Inequality:
Wright - Class locations

Answer 6

Identifies 9 class locations

Contradictory locations within class relations = those who control some aspects are denied control over others

• E.g. Managers: Control over labour power / cannot control the physical means of production

3 dimensions of control over economic resources that allows the identification of classes
1. Ability to control over investments or money capital (investment)
2. Control over the physical means of production (land or factories & offices)
3. Control over labour power

Bourgeoise have control over all 3 dimensions
W/c have control over none

Question 7

Neo-Marxist Explanations of Inequality:
Wright - Differentiating Class Locations

Answer 7

There is a great diversity within class locations so we must look at the following areas in order differentiate

Relationship to authority:
- Enjoy relationships towards authorities that are much more privileged than the w/c
- Certain types of workers that assist in controlling the w/c
- Remain under control of capitalist owners
- Both exploiters & exploited

Possession to skills & expertise:
- Exercise more power & autonomy @ work than those with lower skills
- Can demand higher wages