marxist theories of education

Question 1

what kind of theorists are marxists

Answer 1

• conflict
  they believe that at the heart of society there is an underlying class conflit

Question 2

what are the two parts Marx divided society into?

Answer 2

infrastructure= the basic building blocks required for capitalism eg; land, workforce
superstructure= arises from the infrastructure, loosely described as norms and values
- infrastructure shapes superstructure

Question 3

how do marxists view education

Answer 3

• the bourgeoisie use education as an ideological tool to control and exploit the proletariat
• it’s aim is to produce submissive workforce
• maintains the ruling class’s values

Question 4

what is meant by the term capitalism

Answer 4

an economic and political system in which a country’s trade and industry is controlled by private owners for profit

Question 5

who describe the ideological state apparatus

Answer 5

Althusser

Question 6

what did althusser argue

Answer 6

• education system was part of ideological state apparatus
• bourgeoisie maintain power by using repressive state apparatus and ideological state apparatus
• ensures proletariat is in a state of false class consciousness
• schools prepare students for life of exploitation

Question 7

according to althusser, what does passing on m/c ideologies do

Answer 7

• reproduces and legitimises class differences
• ensures the working classes are socialised to expect and accept a life of exploitation

Question 8

how do schools benefit capitalism?

Answer 8

• schools reproduce a passive workforce of the future