Marxism Flashcards
(27 cards)
what is the main function of religion according to marxists?
maintain the power of the ruling class
What is an ideology?
An ideology is a set of ideas and values shared by a social group that:
- Provides a particular way of seeing and interpreting
- Presents only a partial, incomplete or false view of reality
- Expresses and justifies the interests of a social or political group
How is religion part of the dominant ideology?
The bourgeoisie control the creation and spread of ideas through institutions such as the church and this dominant, ruling class ideology creates a false consciousness that prevents the poor from taking action. Religion is an ideological weapon that is used to legitimise inequality - for example, being poor is virtuous and suffering is rewarded in the afterlife
How is power divinely appointed?
Religious teachings encourage the proletariat to believe that the way society is organised is God’s will
Some may struggle in this life but they are blessed and will be rewarded for their faith - ‘and blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth’
Power of the dominant class is divinely appointed
Divine right of kings teaches that the king is God’s representative on Earth
Disobedience is a sinful challenge to God’s authority
what 16th century idea suggests that the king is God’s representative on Earth
divine right of kings
what bible quote suggest that some will be rewarded for their faith despite struggling?
‘and blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth’
who talks about spiritual gin?
Lenin
What does Lenin say about religion?
Lenin calls religion ‘spiritual gin’ as it is given to the masses to keep them in place. The ruling class used religion to create a mystical fog which obscured reality for the working class and caused temporary happiness. In Lenin’s time, gin was a poor man’s drink as it was very cheap yet potent. Some workers were given gin as part of their wages
historical context for Lenin’s spiritual gin
In Lenin’s time, gin was a poor man’s drink as it was very cheap yet potent. Some workers were given gin as part of their wages
How does religion keep people alienated and working?
Alienation is the lack of power, control and fulfilment experienced by workers in capitalist societies. Workers are dehumanised as they repeat meaningless tasks but religion is consoling as it makes a virtue out of suffering. For example, the story of Job or the Beatitudes suggest that the poor are more ‘Godly’. Religion prevents revolution by offering hope of supernatural intervention through prayer and no other action is required. The promise of an afterlife gives meaning to the repetitive tasks and feeling of hopelessness and there is an end goal and justification for inequality
Marx quote
“Religion is the sigh of the oppressed creature, the heart of a heartless world, and the soul of soulless conditions. It is the opium of the people”
what does ‘Sigh of the oppressed creature’ mean?
religion is an exhausted response to what is happening
what does ‘Heart of a heartless world’ and ‘soul of soulless conditions’ mean?
religion gives perceived meaning and a sense of dignity in the face of oppression so there is no need to fight
what is the ‘Opium of the people’ ?
religion offers temporary relief so people do not question their exploitation and their pain is ‘eased’ / similar to Lenin’s ‘spiritual gin’ as it suggests that religion encourages people to accept their circumstances by distracting them from the true reality
3 ways that religion is like an opiate?
Dulls the pain rather than treating the cause - distracts from the problem rather than tackling it
Gives a distorted worldview through promise of afterlife - like opium creates hallucinations
Religious rituals can give a temporary ecstatic feeling e.g Eucharist and God’s grace
give an example of legitimation of inequality?
hindu caste system
What is the Hindu caste system?
A form of social stratification where people are separated into hierarchical groups based on karma and dharma
What are the main categories and what jobs are associated with them in the Hindu caste system?
Brahmins (teachers & intellectuals), kshatriyas (rulers), vaishyas (farmers & traders), shudras (labourers) and dalits/untouchables (sweepers & cleaners)
what is the highest category + job in the hindu caste system?
Brahmins - teachers and intellectuals
what is the lowest category + job in the Hindu caste system?
dalit - sweepers & cleaners
How does the hindu caste system impact people’s lives?
Affects education and job prospects, what food can be eaten and how people celebrate special occasions. Intermarriage and touching someone from a different caste is forbidden
How are castes allocated or decided in the Hindu caste system?
Law of karma (cause and effect means people are responsible for their actions). Good and bad deeds bring rewards or punishment through reincarnation
Why do many argue that the hindu caste system legitimises inequality?
People in higher castes are celebrated as virtuous whilst being in a lower caste can be seen as a punishment. This promotes obedience and limits prospects for some as they are trapped in social order as inferior
What steps have been made to try and aid those disadvantaged by the hindu caste system?
Discrimination based on caste was banned in 1950 and quotas for education and job opportunities lessen disadvantage
