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Sociology - Social Inequality > Class Inequality: Marxist explanations of Class Inequality > Flashcards

Class Inequality: Marxist explanations of Class Inequality Flashcards

1
Q

Do Marxists believe there is social mobility?

A

No

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2
Q

How many classes does Marx argue there are in society?

A

2 classes

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3
Q

What are the two classes, according to Marx?

A

Bourgeoisie, Proletariat

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4
Q

Who are the Bourgeoisie?

A

The ruling class

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5
Q

What do the ruling class control the means of?

A

Means of production

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5
Q

What are the interests of the bourgeoisie in society?

A

Make more profit to get richer

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6
Q

Who are the proletariat?

A

The working class

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7
Q

What do the working class sell so that they can survive?

A

Their labor

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8
Q

What 2 ways does Marx say the bourgeoisie exploit the working class in terms of their conditions and pay?

A

Give them low wages, make them have poor working conditions

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9
Q

What are the interests of the proletariat in society?

A

To overthrow the capitalist system

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10
Q

Why is it difficult for the proletariat to overthrow capitalism?

A

The bourgeoisie keep them poor

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11
Q

What is the networth of Jeff Bezos?

A

£100 billion

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12
Q

Give an example of a poor working condition in Amazon for delivery drivers

A

They have to wait in unheated rooms

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13
Q

What would Functionalists argue about the Marxist explanation of class inequality?

A

It is unrealistic

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14
Q

What did Durkheim say about class inequality?

A

There needs to be some class inequality for society to run properly

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15
Q

What 3 things does Durkheim say class inequality is? (U, F, I)

A

Universal, Functional, Inevitable

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16
Q

What analogy do Functionalists say class inequality fits into?

A

Organic analogy

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17
Q

What does it mean if class inequality is part of the organic analogy?

A

Class inequality is essential to prevent anomie

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18
Q

What would Durkheim say would happen if there was no class inequality?

A

Society would enter a state of anomie

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19
Q

What does it mean if society is in a state of anomie?

A

People do not know which norms and values to follow

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20
Q

Which Marxists said there was a vast portion of the proletariat who were unemployed?

A

Marx and Engels

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21
Q

What group of people exists in a capitalist society if the proletariat revolt?

A

The reserve army of labor

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22
Q

What will the reserve army of labor accept if the employed proletariat try and go on strike or revolt?

A

They will work for lower pay

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23
Q

How is class inequality maintained if there is a reserve army of labor?

A

The bourgeoisie can continue to make profit

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24
What percentage of the UK does ONS Data have shown to be consistently unemployed since the 1970s?
At least 3% of the UK working population are unemployed
25
What would the New Right say about the unemployed reserve army of labor?
They choose not to work
26
Which New Right sociologist argues there is an underclass in society?
Murray
27
What culture does Murray say the underclass have?
Dependency culture
28
According to Murray, why has a dependency culture developed in the underclass?
They rely on benefits to fund their lives
29
What does it mean if the underclass have benefits to fund their lives?
There is no incentive for them to work
30
Which institution do Marxists argue the bourgeoisie own to maintain class inequality?
The media
31
What does Althusser argue the media creates for the working class?
Creates a false class consciousness
32
What is a false class consciousness?
The working class do not know they are being exploited
33
What do Marxists say will not be able to happen if the working class experience false class consciousness?
They will be unable to revolt against capitalism
34
What does Althusser say the media is part of?
Ideological State Apparatus
35
What is the ideological state apparatus?
The institutions in society that enforce ruling class norms and values
36
What percentage of British media sources are owned by 2 billionaires?
50% of British media sources
37
How does the media treat working class individuals who are trying to fight for equality?
They demonise them
38
Who was the leader of a railway trade union?
Mick Lynch
39
What did the media call Mick Lynch when railroad workers went on strike in December 2022?
"Mick Grinch"
40
Why did Mick Lynch call a strike?
He wanted better pay and working conditions for his workers
41
What does Media Coalition Reform (2021) Data show about the percentage of online newspapers owned by 5 companies?
5 companies own 80% of online news sources
42
What other form of apparatus does Althusser say the ruling class can use?
Repressive state apparatus
43
Name one repressive state apparatus institution
The police force
44
What does Althusser say about repressive state apparatus usage?
It is only used if absolutely necessary
45
What would Postmodernists say about the Marxist explanation of the media enforcing inequality?
They would say its outdated
46
What would Lyotard say Marxism is?
An outdated metanarrative
47
What would Lyotard say about how people get news in the present day?
They get it from a variety of sources
48
Name 2 apps which can act to give people news
Facebook, Twitter
49
Which institution do Marxists say enforces inequality from a young age?
The education system
50
Which Marxists said education spreads the myth of meritocracy?
Bowles and Gintis
51
According to Bowles and Gintis, what do working class students blame their failure in school on?
Blame it on themselves
52
What form of deprivation in terms of buying things makes it much harder for working class students to do well in education?
Material deprivation
53
Which sociologists said working class students face barriers to learning?
Smith and Noble
54
Name 2 barriers to learning
Not being able to buy textbooks for revision, Not having a desk to do work on
55
Why will not having a desk at home make it difficult for working class students to do well in school?
They will not have anywhere to do their work
56
What would Functionalists say to argue against Marxist views on education creating class inequality?
Education is genuinely meritocratic
57
Which Functionalist said society overall was meritocratic?
Parsons
58
According to Parsons, what will it mean if the education system is meritocratic?
No matter a student's class background, if they work hard they will be able to succeed in school
59
What would Parsons say causes working class students to fail in education?
They have not worked hard enough

Sociology - Social Inequality (38 decks)

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