Midterm- Conflict Theory (Marx)

Question 1

define base

Answer 1

the true economic arrangement. everything is in service to- or a product of the economic system

Question 1

define superstructure

Answer 1

everything we can “see” in society that are outcomes of the BASE (tip of the iceberg)
- politics and the political system
- legal system
- entertainment/news media
- religion

Question 2

define marx’s social change

Answer 2

There is a constant competition for individuals & groups to structure society in a
way that suits them. Because proletariat (money from labor) & bourgeoisie (money from properties) have largely opposing
material interests, they will be fundamentally at odds. Thus, they are in conflict.
Marx and Social Change
Conflictual

Question 3

structuralists vs conflict theorists

Answer 3

structuralists: focus on stability left them with the problem of explaining social change and why it would occur
- social structures like factories churning out people who hold values, norms, and beliefs to match society
- healthy change is gradual and relatively stable
- rapid change is a threat to society and its stablity

conflict theorists: marx and engels argued that society is fundamentally about change and change is fundamentall y about the struggle of classes to control the means of production
- it’s about conflict over material life (not just values and beliefs; rapid chhange is sometimes the only way to correct for corrupt, unjust, or dysfunctional societies

Question 4

define commodity fetishism and provide example

Answer 4

What appears to the consumer as a simple relationship between
themselves and the product or commodity is really a social
relationship between the consumer and everyone and everything that went
into its production. It is a relationship of power that the commodity renders
invisible.