Marxist Viewpoint Flashcards
(18 cards)
mode of production
the way a specific society produces the necessities of life
means of production
the land, factories, machines, technology and labour power required to produce goods
relations of production
the relationship between those who own the means of production and those who do not
how do the superstructure and base relate to each other
superstructure maintains base
base shapes the superstructure
this becomes the economic system which shapes the rest of society
what is the base in society
means of production and relations of production
what is the superstructure in society
everything not directly to do with production
Althusser - superstructure
argued that the institutions in the superstructure is to maintain and legitimate class inequality
ruling class ideology is passed off as natural and right
Althusser - neo-marxist perspective of stratification
argued marx had overemphasised how much the economic system drove society (economic determinism) and argued ideology and politics were also important to consider
state consisted of two elements - ideological state apparatus and repressive state apparatus
who was gramsci
founder of the Italian Communist Party
developed the term Hegemony
Gramsci - hegemony
term to explain how the ruling class were able to control the working class without coercion or force
class domination through presenting the ruling class’s ideas as normal, so it goes unquestioned and unchallenged
counter hegemony - Gramsci
people can reject ruling class ideology and create pathways for resistance and change
rejects the economic determinism of classical marxism and differs from althussers ideas
The Frankfurt School - what was it
group of intellectuals who opposed the rise of Nazism in Germany
interested in exploring how mass culture and media sustain social inequality and reinforce capitalist ideology
included neo-marxists: Marcusse, Adorno and Horkheimer
critiqued economic determinism with 3 elements
How did The Frankfurt School critique economic determinism?
instrumental reason
mass culture
the oppression of personality
The Frankfurt School - instrumental reason
people us reason just to get things done without thinking about what’s right or good for people
focusing of efficiency and control rather than values or deeper meaning
The Frankfurt School - mass culture - Marcusse
the media helps to control the population by teaching people to accept their lot and concentrate on trivial entertainment
marx ignored the importance of the media in his analysis
The Frankfurt School - the oppression of personality
individual’s personalities and desires are controlled and directed toward the benefit of capitalism
no concept of ‘work ethic’ before capitalism as people did the work required and then stopped
later in capitalism it was possible to make money out of desires (sex in particular) - now used to make money
Media reform Coalition - 2023 report - who owns the UK media
90% of the UK’s national newspaper market is dominated by 3 companies - DMG media, News UK, Reach
Miliband - media
media serves as an ideological tool used by the ruling capitalist class to maintain power and control in society
media ownership is concentrated in the hands of a wealthy elite & the content aligns with their interests.
