Marxist theory of beliefs

Question 1

Define hegemony

Answer 1

Gramsci- the dominance of ruling class ideas in society over others who accept and consent to these values

Question 2

Define “dominant ideology”

Answer 2

ideas or beliefs of the bourgeoisie which are apparent throughout society

Question 3

Define false consciousness

Answer 3

workers are not aware that they’re being oppressed, do not know their revolutionary power= class in itself

Question 4

Define alienation

Answer 4

the process whereby the worker is made to feel foreign to the products of his/her own labour

Question 5

What are Marxist’s overall theory of religion?

Answer 5

• religion is a feature of a capitalist society
• acts as a conservative force-> maintains social solidarity and social stability, protecting trad values
• religion isn’t needed in communist societies (CRIT- present in USSR even when state put limit on religion

Question 7

according to marx, how does religion act as an ideology?

Answer 7

• belief systems distorts people’s perceptions of reality, serving interests of capitalism
• religion controls economic production and distribution of ideas through church/media
• religion= an ideological weapon of r/c to justify suffering of the poor as god given, suffering is virtuous-> false consciousness

Question 8

according to Lenin, in what 3 ways does religion ease the pain of oppression?

Answer 8

1. promises escape from suffering- after life
2. offers hope of supernatural intervention- crisis
3. provides an explanation for inequality= hinduism, reincarnation

Question 9

according to lenin, how does religion act as a spiritual gin?

Answer 9

• r/c use spiritual gin (religion) to keep working class in place-> conservative force
• creates a ‘mystical fog’-> obscures reality for wc
• justifies power and privilege of the RC- privilege seems god given

Question 10

how is the indian caste system supportive of marx’s idea that religion is an ideology?

Answer 10

• social stratification system based on ascribed status at birth- virtuous lifestyle, good karma-> reincarnation into higher caste
  = maintains inequality, those at the bottom are rewarded for obedience in next life

Question 11

what is alienation, how can this be criticised in terms of beliefs?

Answer 11

alienation= where individuals/groups feel socially isolated- lack power to control their lives and realise their true potential
CRIT- plenty of examples where oppressed groups have used religion for social change e.g. mlk

Question 12

according to marx, how is religion an alienation?

Answer 12

• wc are alienated because they have no control over the product process, no freedom to express creativity
• alienation peaks in the division of labour in factories e.g. fordism
• to wc, religion is ‘opium of the people’- dulls the pain of exploitation, distorted view of the world, legitimising suffering

Question 13

how does gramsci (neo-marxist) argue religion is a force for change?

Answer 13

gramsci developed theory of relative autonomy, argued religious beliefs were no less real/imp than economic forces-> religious beliefs should be used to fight oppression

Question 14

how does maduro (neo-marxist) argue that religion can be used as a force for change?

Answer 14

• argues for relative autonomy of religion, often used to bring about social change and provdies guidance for the oppressed in their struggle against dictatorship e.g. latin america