Neo Marxism

Question 1

Gramsci

Answer 1

talks about hegemony which is where the ruling class get just enough working class people on their side to follow their ruling class ideologies to ensure a revolution doesn’t happen ( old people get bus passes and pension in return for working) and the ruling class are kept stable and keep power

Question 2

Wright

Answer 2

The middle class occupy a contradictory class position – they are both exploited by the ruling class and exploit the working class. Three investments need to be controlled, investment, the means of production and labour power. Ruling class = full power - Middle class managers = partial control - Middle class supervisors = minimal control - Working class = no control.

Question 3

Braverman

Answer 3

argues that there was a proletarianisation where the middle classes have become more like working class due to deskilling where specialist skills are being replaced by routine and pay and status decline. There is always a ‘reserve army of labour’ to step into their jobs.

Question 4

Bourdieu

Answer 4

Culture and lifestyle are not just products of economic differences, they can shape chances of upward social mobility themselves. There are four main sources of capital in society:
Economic capital
Cultural capital
Social capital