Neo-Marxism Flashcards
(25 cards)
What is Neo-Marxism?
Neo-Marxists have tried to develop traditional Marxist ideas to overcome their weaknesses and apply them to more recent changes in society. Neo-Marxist perspectives see both the negative and positive futons of religion e.g religion being a force for social change
who says that religion is part of the ISA?
Althusser
Who said that religion maintains capitalism hegemony?
Althusser
What does Althusser say about religion?
Religion is one of the institutions which forms part of the ideological state apparatus which produce ruling class ideology and maintain capitalist hegemony (dominance of one state or social group over others). They reinforce the idea that positions in society were unchangeable and inevitable
what is hegemony?
(dominance of one state or social group over others)
What does Gramsci say about counter hegemony?
Religion can be a focus for counter-hegemony by providing a basis to challenge the ruling class. Religious leaders can take the role of intellectuals, popularising counter ideas and building rebellion.
who talks about counter-hegemony?
Gramsci
What examples are there of religion being a basis for counter-hegemony?
Jesus - link between religion and politics - hypocrisy
Abraham - polytheism/icons
Moses - slavery
Guy Fawkes - corrupt government, taxation
Gandhi - Indian independence
Malcom X - civil rights
Martin Luther - sale of indulgences
Martin Luther King Jr - civil rights
Oscar Romero - Liberation Theology
What does Bloch say about the dual nature of religion?
Religion has a dual nature as it often inhibits change but also inspires protest and rebellion.
In his book, ‘Principle of Hope’, Bloch argued that:
Religion offer the idea of a better society
Hope for a better society - belief that people should be able to have dignity and live a good life in a good society
The hope for a better world found in religious belief can influence the desire for better things on earth e.g build Heaven on Earth
Can help rally people to organise to bring about revolutionary social change
who discussed the dual nature of religion?
Bloch
who discussed the ‘principle of hope’?
Bloch
What does Maduro say about religion acting as a force for change?
Maduro found that religious institutions have a degree of freedom in society as they do not work for the benefit of the powerful elite. Instead, they can act independently with relative autonomy
Religious leaders can act as charismatic leaders which inspire their followers to seek social change. Due to their status, they are untouchable to their followers and harm against them may be a catalyst for action
The Civil Rights Movement and Liberation Theology are examples of this
give an example of religion being a force for social change?
Following WW11, many South American communities were being oppressed by the ruling class and lived in poverty with low levels of education and a lack of economic prospects. In response to this, Christians, such as Oscar Romero, used their faith to promote a biblical message of equality, liberation and compassion.
1968 Medellin Conference, Colombia - suggested that people’s situations should be there starting point for understanding faith - orthopraxy (right action) should come before orthodoxy (right belief)
God’s saving will includes full human dignity and freedom from oppression
Jesus is seen as a social liberator and revolutionary - Bible is read as a book focused on liberation
Kingdom of God is about fixing this world, not about the afterlife
What did they do? Churches placed more emphasis on charitable works / bishops opened dialogues with governments / base ecclesial communities were developed so that people can take a more active role and respond to the needs of the community - small groups of 15-20 families who meet to reflect on scripture and apply its lessons to their situation / some priests encouraged people to protest and even used violence - a group of priests formed their own militia in Nicaragua
where was liberation theology based?
South America
key conference in liberation theology? name/year/country
1968 Medellin Conference, Colombia
did liberation theology focus on orthopraxy or orthodoxy?
orthopraxy
what is orthopraxy?
right action
what is orthodoxy?
right belief
what are communities called in liberation theology?
base ecclesial communities
what are base ecclesial communities?
base ecclesial communities were developed so that people can take a more active role and respond to the needs of the community - small groups of 15-20 families who meet to reflect on scripture and apply its lessons to their situation
in which country did a group of priests formed their own militia?
Nicaragua
What are the criticisms of Neo-Marxism?
Pope John Paul II was highly critical of the link between liberation theology and Marxism as minimising spiritual elements of faith - told priests to focus on religious responsibilities not political challenges / ‘souls not soldiers’
Some question how central religion was to the Civil Rights movement - MLK was a clergyman but the movement was multi-faith and broadly secular
Rise of secularism - religion is losing its social significance in modern day society → Neo-Marxist theories are irrelevant
Who was highly critical of the link between liberation theology and marxism? Why? Quote
Pope John Paul II
liberation theology and Marxism as minimising spiritual elements of faith
‘souls not soldiers’
argument that religion was not central to the civil rights movement?
the movement was multi-faith and broadly secular
