Marxism Theory Flashcards
(10 cards)
What is stated within Karl Marx’s ‘Das Kapital’ on capitalism?
The Industrial Revolution developed and amplified capitalism and created a clear split between two social class groups, the bourgeoisie and proletariat. Das Kapital explored the these of ‘class struggle’, where the capitalists and the workers are two opposing social class groups. Marx claims that capitalists thrive on the exploitation of workers who create more value than they receive in wages.
What is suggested by Marx and Engles within ‘The German Ideology’ on capitalism?
The ruling class controls the dominant ideology. Ideology is seen as a tool to maintain dominance by disguising the exploitation and inequality inherent in the capitalist system. They claim “the ruling class ideas of each age have ever been the ideas of its ruling class”, meaning the ideas of society are shaped by the interest of those in power.
What is stated by Karl Marx within ‘The Communist Manifesto’?
“Society as a whole is more and more splitting up into two great hostile camps, into two great classes directly facing each other.”
What does Wright suggest within ‘Between Class Analysis and Real Utopias’?
Disputes the claim class groups are polarising. He points out the social classes are not polarising as Marx said they would. Instead, class is increasing in number and form and argues that class structure is more complex than a simple bourgeoise-proletariat divide, introducing the concept of contradictory class locations. Wright acknowledges the rise of the middle class and the complexity of modern employment structures.
What do Pakulsi and Waters suggest within ‘The Death of Class”?
Explore class in modern capitalist economies, and argue class as a structural concept has progressively ‘deconstructed’ or diminished in its social relevance. They argue capitalism, is seen as a driving force behind the death of class, with an increase in consumerism and individualism. Undermining a shared sense of class identity.
What did Weber suggest within ‘Economy and Society’?
Class inequality is more complex and cannot be solely explained by the relationship to the means of production. Weber proposed a multidimensional approach to class and identified three sources of inequality, class, status and party. Weber’s theory suggests class is a key source of inequality, but is intertwined with status and political power.
What does Marx suggest on the economic base within ‘Das Kapital’?
The main source of inequality in society is the economic structure. The economic base shapes and determined the superstructure. The ruling class uses the superstructure to legitimise and maintain its control over the economic base. Inequality is maintained in two ways, workers are given a false belief that society is fairly organised, if workers do resist domination by the forces of capitalism, they are victimised by forces of social control, such as education.
What did Althusser expand on?
A neo-Marxist theorist, expanded on Karl Marx’s ideas of the superstructure by introducing concepts of Ideological state apparatus and Repressive state apparatus to explain how capitalist societies maintain control and reproduce social order. Althusser emphasised the active role of ideology in shaping people’s consciousness and maintaining capitalist domination.
What does Poulatzas suggest on the function of the state?
The state functions to ensure the smooth operation of a capitalist society and therefore benefits the capitalist class. The bourgeoise obtained the consent of some groups in society to control and govern them. By giving working people some of their demands, such as minimum wage, the workers believed that the capitalists were really on their side, and so no longer developed class consciousness.
What does Gramsci suggest within ‘The Prison Diaries’?
Offers a more nuanced perspective through the concept of hegemony, where ideological dominance is constantly contested rather than fully imposed. Workers may accept certain aspects of the system while opposing others.
